As the teams entered the second half of the Preliminary Rounds, the problems with UNKNOWN bidders from the previous round were a distant memory for most with encouragingly 90% of them recording positive growth during period 9, driven largely by new contract awards, and there were also 4 new entries into the top 12. The overall standard of the teams taking part was also emphasised with every one of them now above their starting position of 1,000 KPI points back at the beginning of period 5.

At the top of the table the "Fanatics" (AtkinsRealis, India) outperformed many of the teams around them with 19% growth that lifted them from 11th to top spot with 1,924 pts, and they have opened up a 50 point gap to the chasing pack, led by previous leaders "Whatever it takes" (Stantec, Italy). The wisdom of the ENGINUITY CRYSTAL BALL is once more shining out as the old sage's dark horses "Infraco Invasion" (Infraco Consulting, UK) climbed 12 places to 4th, and they are currently the highest placed UK team. Another team new to the top 12 are "The Infra Tribe" (Stantec, India), who also made significant gains as they moved up 18 places to 7th. There are 7 different sponsors represented in the top 12 as it stands, with teams from all corners of the globe in what is turning out to be one of the most competitive Enginuity Competitions since the inaugural one in 2010.

As many teams look to trying to secure a place in the Final, it is worth looking back at the last year's Competition, and what level of KPI growth was needed to qualify for the Final. In 2023 at the end of period 12 a score of 2,055 pts was enough to secure a place in the Final. In average terms this is equivalent to growing by an average of 132 additional KPI points each period, based upon each team starting the Competition at the beginning of period 5 with 1,000 points. Currently the team occupying the last qualification place for the Final, "Enginuity State of Mind" (Jacobs, United States) have averaged 160 points each period so far, indicating that the Competition is unfolding in similar vein to last year, and it is something to bear in mind for the teams hoping to break into the top 12 by the end of the Preliminary Rounds.