What is this project?
Develop an AI-driven Subject Matter Expert (SME) system accessible through the company intranet. An intelligent agent will collect and organize relevant information based on Walbridge corporate knowledge (e.g., internal emails, previous project work, contracts, etc.) to identify employee experts, and generate lessons learned from previous experience. The system will include role-based permissions to ensure secure and efficient retrieval of information, tailored to each user’s access levels and responsibilities.
What am I going to do?
MDP projects push you to integrate interdisciplinary engineering knowledge and develop strategic problem-solving skills. On this project, students will develop an agential AI using Copilot, similar to Michigan’s Maizey tool, that will allow Walbridge employees to easily gain access to their organization’s large collection of standards, lessons learned, and information.
- Design and implement an AI agent on Walbridge’s intranet that identifies subject matter experts and synthesizes lessons learned
- Understand users needs and develop natural language processing capabilities for intuitive user queries and data retrieval
- Create a role-based permissions framework to control access to different data types across employee levels
- Conduct testing to ensure accuracy and security in information retrieval processes
- Develop a business process and training that maximizes the benefit for the users
- Tech Stack: Microsoft Copilot Studio, SharePoint
- Hardware, Software, & Security: Use hardware, files, and software provided by Walbridge IT. Comply with security requirements defined by Walbridge IT.
Stretch Goal Opportunities Include:
- Enhance the AI to provide contextual insights based on aggregated project data from multiple sources
- Incorporate Walbridge Standards, such as the Safety Manual and Operations Handbook
- Implement user feedback for system refinement and improved AI user interaction
- Develop additional personalization features that tailor information delivery to user preferences and past query behaviors
- Timely lessons learned suggestions based on the project schedule and recent user correspondence
- Prompt lessons learned searches by uploading project documents and/or photos. Build a system that can recognize elements within a document or photo and relate them to lessons learned and SMEs
- Identify limitations or restrictions in the Copilot platform to help drive product improvements
Why does it matter?
Walbridge is a leading contractor in multiple industry sectors, completing projects ranging from millions of dollars to billions, including projects on campus such as the newly completed Leinweber CSI building on north campus. Lessons learned from each project and institutional expertise is not always transferred between individuals or project teams that could benefit from that information. Building a system that helps with the transfer and absorption of relevant institutional knowledge will be impactful for improving individual and team performance over time.
In the fast-paced construction management industry, quick and accurate information access is crucial. By leveraging AI to automate and streamline data retrieval, this project will enhance efficiency and decision-making within Walbridge. Secure, role-based information access ensures that sensitive data remains protected, while empowering employees with pertinent insights, ultimately fostering a more agile and responsive workforce.
Below are the skills needed for this project. Students with the following relevant skills and interests, regardless of major, are encouraged to apply! This is a team-based multidisciplinary project. Students on the team are not expected to have experience in all areas, but should be willing to learn and will be asked to perform a breadth of tasks throughout the two-semester project.
AI Development (2-3 students)
Specific Skills: Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning Classification
This project will use Microsoft Copilot/Azure tools
Experience with Copilot is a plus
EECS 281 (or equivalent) is required
Additionally, any of the following would be a plus: EECS 445, 487 or 492
Likely Majors: CS, CSE, ECE, ROB, DATA
General Programming (3-4 Students)
Specific Skills: General programming skills, good software engineering, UI design, Intranet and cloud integration
This project will use Microsoft tech stack with Microsoft Copilot as the AI model
EECS 281 (or equivalent) is required
Experience in full stack development is a plus
Likely Majors: CS, DATA
Construction Management (1 Student)
Specific Skills: General understanding of construction management
Must also have some programming experience and a willingness to learn
CEE 331 Intro to Construction Management is recommended
Likely Majors: CEE, URP
Additional Desired Skills/Knowledge/Experience
Strong candidates will have familiarity or experience with some of the following items, and a positive attitude to learn what is necessary, as the project gets underway.
- Familiarity with data security practices and access control systems
- Experience developing AI solutions within corporate environments
- Ability to design user-friendly interfaces and interaction flows
- Strong problem-solving and collaborative skills, with an adaptable learning mindset
- Understanding of construction management processes and related data types
- Demonstrated success in team-based engineering projects (ideally from outside a class)
- Demonstrated leadership experience from any organization
- Studying construction management (in addition to one of the technical roles above) a strong plus
- Prior construction experience or military service is a plus
Sponsor Mentor
Anthony Offak
Technology Specialist, Walbridge Innovation and Improvement Leadership
With nearly 25 years of experience, Anthony leverages his passion for emerging technologies to optimize construction workflows. Current responsibilities include implementing innovative solutions to improve safety and efficiency on construction sites. He is continuous improvement focused, and lives by the motto of trying to leave people, places, and things better than when he was introduced to them.
Executive Mentor
Marc Glaeser
Director of Technology, Walbridge Innovation and Improvement Leadership
With 12+ years in the construction industry, including 7+ years on various jobsites, Marc brings a field-first perspective to new technology at Walbridge. He is passionate about finding more efficient, safer, and more effective ways of working on complex construction projects. Current responsibilities include investigating and implementing new technologies and coordinating across various departments to streamline processes and the flow of information.
Eric Twigg
Senior Vice President, Walbridge Innovation and Improvement Leadership
Over his 42 years with Walbridge, if there’s a department at Walbridge that Eric Twigg hasn’t run, it hasn’t been created yet – and Eric will probably be the person who starts it. Throughout his career, he’s led (and often created) virtually every department at Walbridge. Current responsibilities include leading the teams for New Technology, Innovation, DEI, Quality/Lean, Training, Strategy, and Leadership Planning support for all Business Units.
Faculty Mentor
SangHyun Lee
SangHyun Lee is Professor and John L. Tishman CM Faculty Scholar in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering. He leads the Dynamic Project Management (DPM) group, which conducts research focused on understanding and managing construction dynamics and the human-infrastructure interface through sensing, data analytics, and computer simulation. DPM’s research has explored various technologies in construction and infrastructure, with an emphasis on how these innovations can support humans to foster safe, smart, connected communities and promote social equality. Professor Lee also directs the U-M Construction Industry Alliance Program (UMCIAP), and was recently inducted into the National Academy of Construction.
Project Meetings
During the winter 2026 semester, the Walbridge team will meet on North Campus on TBD.
Work Location
Weekly work will take place on U-M’s North Campus. Students will work with Walbridge construction project staff to better understand the user needs. Students will make field visits throughout the project, including to Walbridge corporate offices and current North Campus building projects, to develop user requirements and validate their system. (MDP will provide transportation)
Course Substitutions: ChE Elective, CS Capstone/MDE, DATA Graduate Capstone, CoE Honors
Citizenship Requirements:
- This project is open to all students.
- International Students: on an F-1 visa will be required to declare part time CPT during Winter 2026 and Fall 2026 terms.
IP/NDA: Students will sign standard University of Michigan IP/NDA documents.
Summer Project Activities:
No summer activity will take place on the project.