In the Great Tech Debate of Build vs Buy…Is It Too Much to Ask for Both?
In a world that’s ripe with questions surrounding the buzziest of buzzwords, like “Should we use AI?” or “Will robots replace field crews?” there is a totally different topic that still reigns supreme.
Do we build our own construction software OR do we buy something off the shelf?
I have lived both sides and seen the pros and cons from every angle. But in my opinion, it’s the wrong question.
The Difference Between Reactive and Proactive Project Management
Let’s have a brutally honest moment here.
We’ve been talking about big data in construction for the better part of a decade now. Every conference, every panel, every sales pitch is all about dashboards, KPIs, predictive insights and “data-driven decisions.”
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: most contractors don’t actually have big data. But it’s not their fault.
When Alignment Fails…and We’re Too Proud to Admit It
A few weeks ago, I made the bold statement that digital transformations fail due to a lack of alignment between those leading the change and those affected by it.
This week, I’ll prove it to you with a story about the time I watched a multi-billion-dollar tech company totally botch their tech.
But more importantly, we’ll talk about the lessons learned and how you can avoid a similar fate.
When Business Change Management Fails… It’s Not the Tech. It’s Us.
When a digital transformation fails (in construction or otherwise), it’s almost never because the technology didn’t work. It’s because we (those tasked with executing) didn’t lead the change well.
Construction doesn’t have a tech adoption problem. It has an alignment problem.
Let’s get specific…
ConTech Doesn’t Replace Workers, It Empowers Them
Let’s get something straight right out of the gate: construction technology is not here to take jobs. Or at least it shouldn’t be. It’s here to empower the people you already have.
But somewhere along the line, tech adoption in construction started getting a bad rap. And many leadership teams (and software vendors) aren’t helping that perception much.
So, how do we set the record straight?
The Lie We Keep Telling Ourselves: Why Construction Can’t Afford to Keep Failing the Schedule
Let’s get straight to the point. The fundamental flaw in traditional project management is that it assumes perfect order in a world defined by chaos. The old playbook was built on the idea that if you set a timeline and a budget, and then assign resources with precision, everything will fall into place.
Spoiler alert: it rarely does.
7 Reasons ConTech Implementations Fail (& How to Fix Them)
Let’s be honest: implementing technology in construction feels a lot like trying to run new electrical in a 100-year-old building. You start with high hopes, realize the wiring’s a mess, blow a few fuses and end up questioning all your life choices.
Trust me, I’ve been there.
But here’s the deal, construction needs this. So, here are the top seven reasons why construction tech implementations struggle, in my opinion. And more importantly, how we fix them.
Innovation Demands More Than Ideas, It Demands Courage
Let’s be honest, “innovation” is one of those buzzwords that’s lost its shine. As the go-to word for anything new, different or even slightly techy, it’s a label that has been slapped on many safe ideas to make them sound bold.
It’s overused. It’s misused. It’s just noise. So much so that most folks roll their eyes when they hear it from people like me.
But despite all of that, real innovation still matters.
