Apac
  • Home
  • CXO Insights
  • CIO Speaks
  • Partner Conferences
  • Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • News
  • About us
Apac
  • Agile

    Artificial Intelligence

    Augmented Reality

    Big Data

    Blockchain

    Cloud

    Cyber Security

    DevOps

    Digital Technology

    Enterprise Security

    HPC

    Internet of Things

    IT Services

    Mobility

    Networking

    Open Source

    POS

    QA and Testing

    Robotics

    SaaS Solutions

    Security

    Simulation

    Smart City

    Startup

    Storage

    Unified Communication

    Virtualization

    Web Development

    Wireless

  • Automotive

    Aviation and Aerospace

    Banking

    Compliance

    Construction

    Contact Center

    E-Commerce

    Education

    Energy

    Engineering

    Field Service

    FinTech

    Gov and Public

    Healthcare

    Insurance

    Legal

    Logistics

    Manufacturing

    Media and Entertainment

    Metals and Mining

    Pharma and Life Science

    Retail

    Sports

    Telecom

    Travel and Hospitality

    Utilities

  • Amazon

    CISCO

    Dynamics 365

    Google

    HP

    IBM

    Intel

    Microsoft

    Microsoft Azure

    Oracle

    Red Hat

    Salesforce

    SAP

    Share Point

    VMware

  • Business Intelligence

    Business Process Management

    CEM

    Cognitive

    Collaboration

    Corporate Finance

    CRM

    Data Center

    Disaster Recovery

    Document Management Systems

    Enterprise Architecture

    Enterprise Asset Management

    Enterprise Performance Management

    ERP

    Fleet Management

    Gamification

    Geographical Information System

    HR Technology

    IT Service Management

    Managed Services

    Payments

    PLM

    Procurement

    Project Management

    Risk Management

    Sales and Marketing

    Workflow

Menu
    • Amazon
    • Banking
    • Blockchain
    • CISCO
    • Cognitive
    • Compliance
    • Contact Center
    • Cyber Security
    • DevOps
    • E-Commerce
    • Field Service
    • Gov and Public
    • Healthcare
    • HR Technology
    • IoT
    • Managed Services
    • Manufacturing
    • Metals and Mining
    • Microsoft
    • Oracle
    • Pharma and Life Science
    • Retail
    More
    Cyber Security DevOps E-Commerce Field Service Gov and Public Healthcare HR Technology IoT Managed Services Manufacturing Metals and Mining Microsoft Oracle Pharma and Life Science Retail
    ×

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    news
    news

    Join our mailing list for the latest articles, news, and exclusive insights from prominent technology leaders

    loading
    SUBSCRIBE

    Thank You for subscribing with us. We sent you an email regarding this.

    news

    • Home
    • Construction
    Editor's Pick (1 - 4 of 8)
    left
    Construction Industry Continues to Underspend in Technology

    Isaac Sacolick, CIO, McGraw Hill Construction

    Embracing Change for IT in the Construction Sector

    Jason R. Kasch, CIO, Structural Group

    Role of Technology in 21st Century Construction

    Jason T. Burns, VP & CIO, Hunter Roberts Construction Group

    The Future of Technology in Construction

    Sam Lamonica, CIO, Rosendin Electric

    Embracing Change for IT in the Construction Sector

    Jason R. Kasch, CIO, Structural Group

     3D Printing Reforming Construction Industry

    Ron Klyn, CIO, Universal Forest Products

     The Need for Technology

    Kris Lappala,

    The Rise Of Data in The Infrastructure Sector

    Dan Kieny, SVP/CIO, Black & Veatch

    right

    6 Technology Adaptation Lessons in Construction

    By Jeff Cann, CIO & Chief Strategist, Encore Electric

    Tweet
    content-image

    Jeff Cann, CIO & Chief Strategist, Encore Electric

    As the construction industry continues to recover from the Great Recession, CFMA identified four "Industry Mega Trends" that could impact the entire industry. Two of these 4 trends impact the use of technology in construction. Mega Trend #2 is the "impact of technology" and Mega Trend #4 is the "convergence of design and construction".

    At many construction companies, there is often a disconnect between the larger industry trend to recommend the adoption of technology and the successful implementation of it at a particular company. In this article we will cover 6 real-world lessons to help foster the adoption of technology.

    Prior to a discussion of these lessons, there are at least three issues to acknowledge when attempting to introduce technology in construction.

    The first issue is that technology adoption and use in construction is accelerating. Two examples are the use of smartphones and electronic drawings. Only a few years ago, most superintendents were not interested in using smartphones on the job site. Now with more understanding and better mobile apps, you'll find even the most experience superintendent using them.

    I was walking a job recently–the Visual and Performing Arts Center for the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. The occupant's use of the building introduceddesign challenges for our electrical construction team. The foreman on the job told me that the project goal is to completely build the project before we turn one screw (for the electrical installation). They are shortening the RFI cycle because they are using advanced collaboration tools (Bluebeam Studio in this case) to bring the geographically-distributed design and construction teams together to make decisions.

    The second issue that slows technology adoption in the construction industry is that, compared to other industries, construction has one of the lowest rates of investment in technology, averaging less than 1 percent of annual revenue for companies smaller than $150 million in sales. Larger construction companies do not spend appreciably more on technology, with an average of 1.5 percent of annual revenue.

    Construction companies are filled with creative problem-solvers who build anything. They often fail to understand why this successful approach is not transferred to technology projects because such projects require unique and specialized skill sets to be successful. This is why the top two limiting factors to adopt technology are budget and lack of staff, according to the 2015 Construction Technology Report from JBKnowledge.

    All technology follows the technology adoption curve that spans from early adopters to laggards

    The third item that impacts technology adoption is hesitancy from both management and employees that technology is not useful for the construction. We can summarize this into fear, uncertainty and doubt (FUD).

    A common fear is that the existing techniques of construction are not improved with technology–the sentiment that "we've always done it this way" or that technology will replace construction jobs. A common uncertainty is the users of the technology believe that it will be too difficult or cumbersome to adopt it. Finally, a common doubt is that "we don't need to change" to be successful in construction.

    Construction companies that want to effectively adopt technology can follow these 6 recommendations, based on experiences over the past three years:

    #1–Visit the job sites. People that work in construction are self-selected for pragmatism. They will not use a tool that is not beneficial. On the job site is where you can see useful tools. Ask the craftsmen on the job site what they like and do not like about their current technology. They will quickly identify items that need to be fixed.

    #2–Keep tabs on construction technology. This can be daunting because there are new products and services being launched each week. Use these resources to help track trends, innovations and opportunities to advance against your competition: Construction Executive's Tech Trends newsletter; The Annual Construction Technology report from JB Knowledge; Trade shows such as ENR Future Tech and AGC's Technology and Solutions Expo; and networking with your peer contractors.

    #3–Understand the technology adoption curve. From the invention of paper to the latest mobile device, all technology follows the technology adoption curve that spans from early adopters to laggards. Use this model to explain expected responses to technology at your company. Google "technology adoption curve" for details.

    #4–Understand the FUD. Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt (FUD) is a technique to change the perception of something, such as technology by disseminating misleading information and appealing to people's fear of change. To combat the FUD, ask people for their objections of the new technology and then come up with credible answers. Then communicate like crazy so that everyone impacted by the technology has an opportunity to balance facts against FUD to join the effort to adopt useful technology.

    #5–Use pilot programs. Find technology-friendly craftsmen and ask them to describe their problems. Solve these problems in a limited scale using proof-of-concept tests or pilot projects. If the tool is beneficial, craftsmen will share it with fellow craftsmen. Pretty soon, the technology will be adopted by enough craftsmen, that you can complete a deliberate roll-out to everyone in the organization.

    #6–Propose, do not impose. The construction job site is a miraculous place, filled with chaos and pressure to complete the project. The field leadership is responsible for the success of the construction project. Do not impose an agenda for technology adoption if the field leadership believes it will disrupt the job. Rather, offer technology tools at the appropriate time in the construction project–usually at the start of the job. You'll face fewer objections because the leadership team can consider the impact of the new technology on the construction project.

    In addition to these recommendations, it's important to have executive support, communicate the reasons to adopt technology, and build a project team with the appropriate skills and knowledge to successfully identify, select and implement technology that will be used effectively to improve the business of construction.

    Read Also

    Construction Industry Continues to Underspend in Technology

    Construction Industry Continues to Underspend in Technology

    Embracing Change for IT in the Construction Sector

    Embracing Change for IT in the Construction Sector

    Role of Technology in 21st Century Construction

    Role of Technology in 21st Century Construction

    The Future of Technology in Construction

    The Future of Technology in Construction

    25 Most Promising Construction Technology Solution Providers 2016

    25 Most Promising Construction Technology Solution Providers 2016

    Featured Vendors

    RTV Tools

    Jason Howden, CEO & Director

    Building Blok

    Justin Nolan, Director

    Construction Special

    Copyright © 2019 APAC CIOoutlook. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy  |  Sitemap

    follow on linkedinfollow on twitter follow on rss
    This content is copyright protected

    However, if you would like to share the information in this article, you may use the link below:

    https://construction.apacciooutlook.com/ciospeaks/6-technology-adaptation-lessons-in-construction-nwid-4342.html