Few industries stand to benefit as much from the transformation of information technology in the 21st century as construction. The sheer scale of the modern built environment suggests enormous potential gains in productivity and efficiency available through the effective application of mobile communication, enterprise software, automation and other advanced solutions.

Technology adoption has been rapidly increasing among construction and design companies for the last decade. Adoption is further accelerated in response to the changing economic and workplace conditions associated with COVID-19.

Overall, however, companies in the industry—from design, engineering and architecture firms to contractors, suppliers and manufacturers—still lag far behind other industries in maximizing the benefits afforded by today’s technology solutions. With existing skilled labor shortages and supply chain disruptions continuing to challenge the building and design industry, and global economic uncertainty rising, closing the technology gap is among the most urgent priorities for businesses across the AECO sector.

While AECO firms continue to invest in technology, many are not recognizing a return on their software investment due to low adoption. Employees are either not using the software or they are using it in a limited capacity.

Technology adoption is complicated by several factors. Many firms make project-to-project technology decisions and as a result, the information silos multiply. The project approach to technology requires staff to quickly ramp up on new technology, and investing time in training is often not an option. In addition, many firms are experiencing an unstable workforce as an aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. People are on the move. New staff members often are required to jump into projects with a steep learning curve on the technology du jour. It is difficult to drive adoption of technology when it is a moving target. The lack of an enterprise strategy for how information is stored, accessed and shared compounds the problem.

Standardization can help if employees have a standard way to access, find, and share information the learning curve and frustration level is lowered. Standardization does not mean everyone has to use the same applications or store their data in the same place. It’s about providing a common approach across offices, disciplines and projects.

Another frequent issue impacting technology adoption is support from senior management. Technology solutions are usually championed by those on the front line, and they are expected to drive adoption in the firm. However, if the “champion” does not have the authority, it can easily become an exercise of pushing rope. Senior management leadership is a key component to successful technology implementation and adoption. Articulation of the firm’s vision for technology has to come from the top down to maintain a sense of shared purpose.

Technology adoption can also be hampered by ignoring the people aspect of learning. Each role in the firm has different requirements for information. Understanding how each role can benefit from certain features or functions in the software enables users to understand the benefits for their job. This means not everyone has to learn everything. In addition, not everyone learns the same way. Providing options for training staff is key. Successful firms develop champion and mentorship programs. They offer in-person training and on-demand training—and they repeat it.

For AEC firms that expect to remain competitive in the coming years, a detailed strategy for managing information internally and with partners and clients is an essential entry on a roadmap to success. Identifying a holistic approach to user adoption can position a company to manage information in a way that powers increased productivity, streamlined communication and improved results.

In addition, a comprehensive strategy for technology adoption will ensure there is a return on the software investment. Start with a survey of employee pain points, bottlenecks and learning preferences. Offer learning options for employees, provide support and resources for continuous learning.

Technology adoption goes beyond the purchase of a software platform. It’s about reshaping business processes and culture. It’s about embracing change as a competitive advantage. And it’s about creating an agile organization that can keep pace with the challenges and opportunities.