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CII Research and Development

Driving Better Capital Project Performance Through Collaborative, Member‑Driven Research

CII Research brings industry and academia together to improve how capital projects are planned, designed, and delivered. For more than four decades, CII members have led practical, member‑driven research that produces proven Best Practices, tools, and guidance—helping organizations deliver projects that are safer, more predictable, and higher performing.

Why CII Research Stands Out

Member-Driven Innovation

CII research begins with our members. From ideation to implementation, members identify challenges, form Research Teams, and guide the development of tools and best practices that improve project outcomes.

Proven Impact

Over 40 years of research have produced 17 Best Practices and dozens of tools that help organizations deliver projects more efficiently, safely, and sustainably.

Academia-Industry Collaboration at the Core

Every CII Research Team is a blend of academic researchers and industry professionals, ensuring that each project is both scientifically rigorous and practically relevant.

Join a Research Team (for individuals with member organizations)

Becoming part of a Research Team is the primary way CII members contribute to the creation of new pracitces, tools, and frameworks that improve capital project delivery. These teams are the engine of innovation at CII, and members consistently report high levels of professional fulfillment and impact. Research outcomes often evolve into widely adopted tools like PDRI or frameworks such as Advanced Work Packaging.
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Submit a Research Idea (for anyone)

Submitting a research idea is one of the most powerful ways to shape the future of CII's work. Your input helps identify the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the industry, guiding CII toward high-impact investigations. This ideation process is central to our strategic planning and ensures that our research portfolio reflects member priorities.
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Apply for a CII Research Request for Qualifications (for Academics)

Every year around Janurary, CII releases a Request for Qualifications inviting academics from the United States and Canda to apply for research projects. Fill in this form to stay in the loop. 
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Evolving Priorities in CII Research and Development


CII’s research mission is rooted in improving the processes and practices that enhance the delivery of capital projects. While this general focus remains constant, our specific areas of interest evolve over time in response to industry needs and member feedback.

Recent guidance from the CII Board of Advisors has emphasized several key priorities, including:
  • Workforce availability and development
  • Technology awareness and enablement, including artificial intelligence and model-based delivery
  • Front end planning
Members have also highlighted the importance of research on:
  • Construction safety
  • Collaborative delivery approaches
  • Development of additional guidance for, and refinement of existing CII Best Practices, such as Advanced Work Packaging and Planning for Modularization
Through rigorous research and active member engagement, CII continues to shape the future of capital project execution—ensuring that our work remains relevant, actionable, and transformative.

Development allows us to:

  • Turn ideas into reality — transform research concepts into tangible products, tools, or solutions.
  • Improve usability — refine ideas so they are practical, reliable, and easy to use in real-world settings.
  • Scale and deploy — take something experimental and make it ready for broader adoption
  • Reduce risk — test, iterate, and validate solutions before full rollout.
  • Drive impact — ensure discoveries actually create value for users, customers, or society. In short: Development helps us move from knowing to doing—making innovations usable, scalable, and impactful.

Ongoing and Recently Completed Projects:

CII Best Practices Research

Deployment-focused Research

Technology-focused Research

  • RT-415, (Completed in 2025) Review of International Data Standards (Publication: FR-515)
  • RT-430, Model-based Delivery

Workforce and HR Research

Safety-focused Research

Other