The majority of the construction industry is recognizing their operational constraints while those firms that are advancing today understand that new technology is more than a peripheral asset; it brings the potential to transform operations, enhance safety, and drive impressive project results. For those firms already adopting new tech, some are finding the path to fully harnessing the advantages has become a hurdle with significant frustrations. These construction operators may be finding that seamless tech integration continues to remain elusive. If you’re grappling with these same challenges, you’re not alone.
At the heart of any successful technological adoption lies one fundamental prerequisite: a clear and documented understanding of your existing processes and related problems and precisely what benefits you’re targeting to achieve. Without this understanding, technology becomes a tangled maze rather than a navigational tool.
If you do not have well defined current state processes, then your path forward is akin to embarking on a journey without a map. Operators frequently jump to a new technology assuming it will be the ultimate fix without critically assessing their operational landscape. This lack of preparation results in new technology overlaying, rather than alleviating existing inefficiencies. Before introducing a new system, we recommend you establish a comprehensive understanding of your current workflows.
This requires developing clear documentation of how your operations currently function and the specific pain points or areas of opportunity that you uncover and aim to address. Are you struggling with project delays due to inefficient communication? Do you need better tracking for materials? Are you aiming to improve on-site safety? Once you have pinpointed these critical issues you are ready to select the right technology.
1. Overcoming Resistance to Change
Change is a formidable adversary which rears its predictable head whenever new technology is implemented. This is more evident in an industry grounded in traditional practices.
Without a clear roadmap and benefits, technology represents uncertainty to your team. It’s important to engage employees in the new technology process from the start, explaining not just what will change, but why—which will help to ease the transition. Before implementation, it is essential that tailored training and transparent communication are planned as steps to overcoming resistance.
2. Integrating New with Old
Many construction companies currently juggle a mix of legacy technology systems acquired over time. When new tech doesn’t integrate smoothly with your existing systems, it creates some common pain points with your team resulting from —data silos, redundant data entry, and inefficiency. For technology to provide real value, it must align with your existing systems in a way that enhances rather than disrupts your workflows.
3. Managing Data Deluge
New tech systems can be overwhelming considering the vast amount of data they generate. Without effective data management and analytics, this wealth of information can obscure rather than clarify decision-making. Make sure that new technologies simplify data interpretation, enhancing your ability to act decisively and effectively on the information they provide.
4. Cost Considerations
The financial aspect of new tech adoption can be significant. Initial implementation costs and ongoing maintenance can add up, posing challenges for smaller firms to benefit.
Therefore, it is critical to prioritize technologies that promise—and deliver—a clear return on investment.
5. Addressing Skill Gaps
Any new technology is only as effective as its user. Equipping your team with the training/skills they need, and instilling confidence in their ability to employ new tech tools, is paramount to ensuring your investment in technology is a success.
Here are some signs that your new technology isn’t hitting the mark:
Don’t be misled by the allure of technology as a universal solution. If you are laying technology on top of broken or inefficient processes, your issues can be compounded versus solving them. Begin by scrutinizing the current state of your operations:
– what works, what doesn’t, and what’s missing?
– are delays due to human error, or is the process inherently flawed?
When you choose technology first as an approach you risk implementing solutions that don’t address your ‘root’ problems. Instead, make the choice of technology as the final piece of a well-considered puzzle— after processes are evaluated, streamlined, and ready to be supported by new technology tools.
Choosing the right technologies for a specific project becomes significantly more challenging when there is a wide variation in delivery models due to differing project priorities, risk allocations, and prospective outcomes inherent within each model. Each delivery model frames the relationship between stakeholders in distinct ways, thereby influencing the technology selection process.
Consequently, the architectural and functional requirements of technology, its cost, and support structure should align with the specific nuances of the chosen delivery model.
As project delivery models greatly affect risk distribution, incentives, and performance metrics, technology options must be vetted against these criteria to ensure alignment with project goals. Therefore, when choosing the right technologies, you face the intricate task of not only assessing the immediate functional applicability of technology but also its broader strategic compatibility with the chosen delivery methodology. These factors drive key consideration of risk, collaboration, and cost management, thereby adding layers of complexity to the decision-making process.
Successfully navigating the new technology maze demands more than an investment in new tools—it requires a strategic, considered approach. A focus on tailored solutions, coupled with ongoing stakeholder engagement and training, ensures that the promise of technology becomes a tangible reality, delivering transformative results for projects and teams alike. Embrace this balanced approach for selection and implementation, and your new technology will not only integrate smoothly with your operations but propel your business operations to new heights.
While we are not in the construction business, we do understand it having worked within this sector to advance operations and transition clients from where they are to where they want to be. We constantly evaluate and stay abreast of new technologies to understand the typical costly and complex challenges companies have when they go it alone. It doesn’t have to be this way. Invest early in defining the best technological solutions to accelerate your operations and deliver a solid ROI with the right partner on your side. Let’s see what potential you have with the right technology and implementation to accelerate your opportunities for an improved operation.
