Construction

Conversations in Construction: Future-Proofing Your Tech Stack, Part 2

As part of the Conversations in Construction video series, Julie Adams, Senior VP of Construction and Real Estate, Product, and industry experts examine some of the unique challenges and ground-breaking innovations in the world of construction.

November 24, 20254 min read Share

In our previous installment of Conversations in Construction, we discussed how to build a future-proof tech stack. Be sure to listen in if you want to learn more about laying a strong foundation, striking the right balance, and key questions for evaluating vendors.

Now it’s time to put that tech stack to work. In this post, we’ll explore the best practices for successful implementation and show how to fully take advantage of emerging solutions.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

Learning from industry peers

I continued my conversation with industry leaders Matt Abeles and Cassi Schwoebel to dive into some of their implementation tips and how they’re embracing AI and other emerging technologies.

Matt Ables is the vice president of construction and innovation at Associated Builders and Contractors, a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 with 67 chapters and more than 23,000 members.

Cassi Schwoebel is the executive vice president at SynergyBuilt, a full-service general contractor based in Nashville, Tennessee.

Maximizing your technology implementation

Selecting the right technology is only the first step in successful technology adoption. Implementation plays a critical role in whether firms see results. Even the best solutions will fall flat without thoughtful rollout and strong change management strategies.

Communication is critical. Teams, vendors, and customers need to understand not only what is changing, but why.

Successful firms will take the time to explain how new tools will make work easier, involve key stakeholders early in the process, and provide hands-on training before going live. While this process can feel time-consuming, it builds trust, reduces resistance, and ultimately drives faster adoption.

Equally important is choosing technology partners who provide ongoing support rather than simply selling a product. Construction businesses value responsiveness, clear communication, and training resources they can rely on.

Asking the right questions during the vendor selection, specifically around available support, onboarding process, and training, helps ensure the technology provider is invested in the long-term success of your business.

It’s important to acknowledge that implementation isn’t a one-time event. The most successful companies view it as an iterative process.

They regularly revisit how tools are being used, keep teams educated on emerging technologies like AI, and adjust workflows to take advantage of new capabilities. This forward-thinking approach helps firms maximize their technology investment and stay competitive.

Watch Conversations in Construction: Implementation Strategy to hear how firms effectively implement technology today.

Embracing emerging technologies

With a strong foundation and rollout strategy in place, firms can explore how emerging technologies like AI can take their operations to the next level.

The goal isn’t to automate everything or lose the human connection that is so critical in construction. Instead, it’s about finding the right balance: using technology to work smarter and free up time for higher-value, relationship-driven work.

From flagging potential errors in real-time and automating repetitive tasks to stopping equipment automatically when workers are too close, AI has exciting potential.

But with thousands of vendors now marketing “AI-powered” solutions, firms need to be intentional and secure in their approach. Clear HR policies, data privacy protections, and team training are essential to ensure new tools are trusted and adopted.

The most successful construction leaders combine human connection with data-driven decision-making. The best AI works seamlessly in the background, enhancing workflows without adding complexity.

Embarking on a digital transformation journey

With a strong foundation in place and emerging technologies in mind, the next step is approaching digital transformation strategically. The key is to have a clear plan that includes:

• Clearly defined goals: Teams need to know what they want to achieve, which gaps need to be filled, and their short- and long-term objectives. It is important to avoid chasing every “shiny” new technology.
• Team involvement: It is essential to bring the right people together early. Teams should provide input on what they need, where they see gaps, and what would make their work easier. These insights can help build a roadmap that prioritizes impactful solutions.
• Careful vendor evaluation: Teams must take the time to review their options and select the best fit. Technology is a long-term investment, so thorough evaluation pays off.
• Prioritized security: Security is a critical consideration. It is important to choose vendors with strong security protocols, which are often included with cloud-based solutions.

Watch Conversations in Construction: AI Ready to hear how industry experts are leveraging emerging technologies like AI and driving digital transformation.

Final thoughts

Digital transformation is an ongoing journey, not a one-time project. By focusing on thoughtful implementation and exploring technologies like AI, firms can turn their tech stack into a competitive advantage.

The companies that invest in training, revisit their workflows regularly, and choose partners who support them for the long term will be well-positioned for the future.

Watch Conversations in Construction: Implementation Strategy and Conversations in Construction: AI Ready  to hear directly from industry leaders on how to optimize technology and fuel digital transformation.