Most leaders in the construction industry will likely agree that implementing new technology can be a complicated process.
From identifying pain points to researching possible solutions to going through the lengthy process of testing and implementing new technology, the process can be painstaking, although these efforts have become relatively easier and more accessible recently.
Still, it’s important for construction leaders to remember that any new technology implementation is a marathon, not a sprint.
While many focus on the initial script to get up and running with a new technology, it’s critical to keep long-term considerations in mind. Even after the initial implementation phase is over, apparently solving the problem, it pays to maintain a continuous improvement approach.
Here are six things construction leaders can do to ensure they take the long view when implementing new technology.
Do continuing education
It’s easy to focus on initial implementation training when installing new technology. Construction leaders have spent months (or even years) researching the new tool and orchestrating its implementation.
However, there are several reasons why training should be designed as a continuous, long-term process.
No matter how well-designed your initial technology implementation training is, chances are people won’t retain it the first time. Often when taking on new technology, people don’t know what they don’t know, so they retain what they’ve been taught just to get ahead, not fully realizing the context of the tool.
Reviewing the concepts taught in the initial training can be useful several months after the implementation training. Then, as time goes on, additional ongoing training should be conducted on new features and tools.
Appoint technology champions
It is likely that the initial technology implementation had a leader or group of leaders responsible for the complex process of overseeing the effort and all of its components. This leadership structure should persist well beyond the initial implementation.
Depending on the size of your company or team adopting the new technology, it could be one person or several people. A large municipal department, for example, may appoint a board of strategic advisors to oversee and sustain long-term efforts associated with implementing a new technology.
These people should meet regularly to develop new training and other initiatives to ensure that the use of technology is moving forward. They should also come from different divisions or disciplines within a company to ensure that all perspectives are represented.
Start internal user groups
A good way to take a continuous improvement approach to the implementation of a new construction technology is to form an internal user group. This group is designed to meet regularly to share knowledge about new technology and explore new possibilities of how the tool can be used.
Perhaps the best way to make these groups effective is to make them social as well. Have them meet after hours so they feel more casual and community-oriented, rather than just another meeting during the work day.
Design the exchange of external knowledge
Just as critical can be finding ways to share external knowledge about a new technology. While internal user groups are tremendously effective at expanding a company’s use of a new technology over the long term, it’s important for construction companies to have a way to bring in external knowledge as well.
Attending or hosting industry events about new technologies, or starting one that attracts like-minded users from other organizations, are ways to channel external knowledge that will pay dividends in the future.
Carry out periodic technological audits
No matter how long a tool has been in place and how much knowledge they may have with it, construction leaders should get into the habit of conducting formal and regular technology audits. Whether you use an external group to conduct the audit or use your internal technology leadership team, this ensures that technology remains effective in improving your company’s efficiency and solving new problems that arise with the time
Embrace failure
Don’t worry if everything isn’t perfect. New technology implementations can be messy. Try to accept the small mistakes that will inevitably come, allowing you to iterate to maximize the value of the new technology. After all, those failures are often the best learning opportunities.
By Frank Kalman
