The Challenge
As a preconstruction-first company, Abbott has long recognized that the most critical and cost-effective phase of a project happens before a shovel hits the ground. Yet like many in the industry, they had historically relied on Excel-based tools to track budgets, scope, and design options, an approach that often made real-time collaboration with owners difficult.
Brannon and his team wanted to improve how they guided owners through the early design phases. They were looking for a solution that could keep pace with dynamic changes, support decision-making between formal estimate milestones, and eliminate surprises at key points in the process. For Abbott, it was not just about delivering estimates. It was about involving owners in the process and building trust along the way.
Director of Pre-Construction
The Solution
Abbott adopted ConCntric as both a preconstruction management platform and a strategic sales tool. With modules like ForeSite and Vision, the team could present evolving project data in a clear, visual format. Owners were no longer reacting to outdated spreadsheets. They were proactively engaged in conversations about scope, cost drivers, and risk.
Brannon describes ConCntric as “intuitive and easy to implement”. While he began as the sole pilot user, the tool quickly gained traction with other preconstruction leaders. Regular touchpoints with ConCntric’s team provided Abbott the opportunity to offer feedback and shape product features that aligned with their real-world workflows.
ConCntric became especially valuable in design-build and progressive delivery models. By enabling the team to document and track scope changes and cost implications throughout schematic design and design development, Abbott could hold firm to project milestones and reduce costly redesigns. The ForeSite module allowed owners to understand how decisions evolved over time and gave them greater confidence in each estimate.
Director of Pre-Construction
The Results
Since adopting ConCntric, Abbott has elevated the transparency and accountability of its preconstruction process. Owners now have access to real-time dashboards, intuitive visuals, and a record of every design or scope decision made. That clarity translates to fewer surprises, smoother estimate reviews, and more effective communication.
Abbott has also used ConCntric’s data tools like Calibrate to benchmark early project concepts against real-world comps. This has helped align owner expectations faster and deepen trust at the very beginning of the relationship.
“Trust is the most important outcome of early preconstruction. When an owner sees that you are organized, clear, and ahead of the curve, things move faster. There are fewer meetings, fewer questions, and better outcomes.”
Director of Pre-Construction
Brannon emphasized that ConCntric is not just a cost management tool. It is a platform that supports the relationship-building and alignment required for successful delivery. From onboarding to continuous use, the platform has supported Abbott in working smarter, communicating clearly, and delivering results that align with owner goals.
“We’re not here to tell owners what they want to hear. We’re here to tell them what they need to hear, with data to back it up. ConCntric helps us do that.”
Director of Pre-Construction
