As one of the oldest industries known to man, the construction industry has overly relied on tried-and-true methods. Though traditional methods have served the industry well for many years, they often come with resistance to change and a fear of enhancing what already exists. 

In recent decades, technology has significantly impacted construction workflows, increasing efficiency and organizing data to improve project management. Even though companies may understand the benefits of software, they need to be willing to implement it and embrace change in order to realize the benefits.

It’s common in our industry to hear objections to technology, such as “Our process works just fine” or “We don’t have time to train.” These concerns stem from misconceptions or unfounded fears. This attitude presents a conflict in that they don’t have time because they are buried in their own inefficiencies. However, taking the time to improve processes now solves the problem once and for all and prevents the continued loss of time and opportunities. This is critical for the overall company to succeed.

In this blog post, we outline the most common pushbacks to tech adoption and offer ideas for overcoming them within your team. By addressing these concerns head-on, teams can increase their preconstruction efficiency, improve collaboration and streamline their entire process.

Most Commonly Identified Pushbacks to Preconstruction Software

Pushback #1

The perceived time and effort it takes to learn and adopt something new.

As software built by builders, for builders, we know that preconstruction professionals have many things to juggle, including deadlines, budgets and coordination. We understand that the thought of disrupting your workflow seems overwhelming, considering the initial lift of training and onboarding. But we want you to ask yourself, “What happens if we don’t make a change?” Stagnation and sticking to outdated methods may keep you comfortable for a while, but is it holding your team back?

💡Reality check: When you find the right software for your needs, it actually reduces the time and effort required for preconstruction tasks, rather than adding to it. Before dismissing a tool based on your team’s current availability, it’s important to do your research and find out what inefficiencies can be solved and how it can actually enhance what you are doing, giving you more time for important tasks. More importantly, you should ask yourself: Are our current processes good enough for the long term? Will we still be using them in 10 years? If the answer is no, then waiting to make the change only delays the inevitable. The longer you wait, the more of an edge you give to your competition, causing you to fall further behind.

Pushback #2

The cost of software.

It should be no surprise that cost is one of the biggest objections to adopting software. Whether you don’t have a dedicated budget for preconstruction technology or are worried about the initial cost of adoption, cost often plays a huge role in the decision-making process. However, the question shouldn’t be, “Can we afford new software?” Rather it should be, “Can we afford not to make the change?” 

💡Reality check: Sticking to the same old ways is likely costing you multiples more than it would to adopt new processes. Well-built software significantly reduces the time and effort needed to complete tasks, not just at the individual level, but across your entire company. With that in mind, it’s easy to quantify savings. Thinking about opportunity costs alone, such as the ability to redirect skilled to higher-value work, can make your ROI even more significant. If your current process isn’t sustainable long-term, delaying change will prolong wasted time, missed opportunities and unnecessary drain on your bottom line.

Pushback #3

Inaction—choosing not to engage with new technologies.

This approach often stems from a lack of initiative to explore alternatives, like an ostrich burying its head in the sand. However, in the construction industry, where digital adoption is becoming increasingly prevalent, failing to research new solutions is causing companies to fall further and further behind those embracing and seeking innovation. 

💡Reality check: There is no harm in exploring new software options if they lead to greater efficiencies and improved project outcomes. With the global construction technology market growing by 13% year-over-year, and projected to reach $26.7 billion by 2027, clearly there is a massive transformation underway and companies that choose inaction not only miss out on these advancements but also risk becoming obsolete. To consistently meet client expectations, proactively engaging with emerging technologies is now the standard expectation for preconstruction teams to show that they have the competitive edge their clients are looking for.

Pushback #4

Fear of making the wrong choice.

If you are new to technology adoption, you may be unsure how to evaluate technology, which could lead to hesitation or avoidance. Think about it this way: Selecting the right software isn’t that different from evaluating subcontractors, design alternatives, or material options. What you should be doing off the bat is clearly defining your needs, understanding the problems you want to solve, and then assessing solutions based on how well they meet your criteria. Structuring your approach in this way can make the process much more manageable and the likelihood of making the “wrong choice” significantly declines. 

💡Reality check: What early adopters need to understand is that adopting technology isn’t just a one-time purchase, it’s about forming a long-term partnership. The best software companies don’t sell you their product and walk away, they work with you to ensure your success and provide ongoing support. If you start viewing software companies as partners in business, you can start to see how they can refine and improve your processes with you, making sure your investment delivers value.

Embracing Change

At ConCntric, we understand resistance to change, but the construction industry is evolving quickly. The challenges of adoption, time to learn, the cost, inaction or fear of making the wrong choice are all traditional concerns. However, as we’ve outlined, each of these pushbacks has a clear solution, and the risks of staying stagnant far outweigh the short-term discomfort of change. 

Too busy pulling the cart with square wheels, to think about round wheels? Improving daily work is as important as daily work – Source: Twitter @jonsmart

The most successful preconstruction teams proactively seek out ways to improve, rather than waiting until inefficiencies become major roadblocks. If you are ready to have your team challenge the status quo, book a demo with ConCntric today.