Due to the ongoing labor shortage, companies are launching initiatives with the hope of attracting workers from previously unconventional talent pools. One group that the industry is hoping to attract is younger construction workers by including programs that teach high schoolers about the industry and trades. But, as these young workers start to enter the workforce, have companies thought about how to recruit, engage and retain them?

In fact, it’s time to stop trying to figure out how to communicate with millennials in the workplace. Where once it seemed as if every company was trying to resolve how to reach millennials, they are now well entrenched in the workforce and are moving up into management positions. It’s time to let go of the notion there’s a “millennial problem” in the workforce and focus on the next generation; Gen Z.

Who is Gen Z?

Generation Z, the generation born after millennials, are the kids that grew up post-9/11 and through the height of the recession. They are becoming significant because the oldest members are beginning to graduate from high school and college and move into the workforce. As they migrate to the labor pool, it’s important to understand who they are and how they differ from other generations.

Definitions of Gen Z vary slightly, but they are mostly defined as people born between 1995 and the present. There are many aspects that make this group unique, such as being the first generation to be fully raised in the era of smartphones and social media. Because technology is so innate to them and is their main form of communication and gathering information, it’s said that their attention span is about eight seconds. However, instant access to information has benefitted them by training them to process information at fast speeds.

Second, during the recession they witnessed their parents out of work and go through tight times. Lastly, according to the Census Bureau, they are also the most diverse generation with almost half of them identifying as non-white.

What else makes Gen Z unique?

• They are tech innate, where millennials are just tech savvy
• They are determined to plan ahead, where millennials were criticized for lack of focus
• They are more financially aware and crave financial security
• They are self-reliant and independent
• They are dedicated to work and want job security
• They are outspoken
• They are risk adverse
• They are pragmatic and more mature than previous generations

How to prepare for Gen Z

So, how does the AEC industry prepare itself for this new, incoming group? What are the steps to take to not only hire, but retain these young workers? First and foremost, make sure your team has the latest and best industry technology. Remember, while Gen Z is dedicated to working, they have always used technology and expect it to be part of their work life. Whether you are using construction management software, BIM or virtual reality, use your technology as a recruiting tool. Also, show them upcoming technology (autonomous vehicles, 3D printing, etc.), so they know technology will become an even bigger part of their job and the industry.

In addition to technology, because Gen Z is looking for dependability and job security, show them a career path. Look at different options to tap into their expertise. Consider having them help your current, less tech savvy workers learn how to navigate apps and use shortcuts. Depending on the technologies you currently use, now may be the time to create a Manager of Technology position that could eventually be filled by someone from Gen Z.

This generation also wants to learn and know they are making a difference. Keep them engaged by showing them the big picture of a project and how it will be used when complete. Explain how their contribution fits into the whole. Remember, Gen Z wants to learn and taking a little extra time to explain and educate will go a long way to retaining them.

As Generation Z begins to enter the workforce, it helps to understand who they are and how they differ from previous generations. Despite a short attention span, this tech innate group is willing to work and wants to make a difference. With so much new technology being introduced into the AEC industry, it seems like perfect timing for them to join and have an impact.

We made it to July. Before the year began and then flew by, we listed our four favorite trends for 2019: repurposing old buildings and giving them new life, the growth of women in construction, the growing adoption of lean construction and the attainability of sustainable materials.

As we hit the halfway mark to the year, it’s time to check-in and see what’s hot now, how our trends are doing, and what’s in store for the rest of the year.

What Surprised Us

We listed this as “One to Watch” for 2018, and all we can say is “wow” to how much modular construction has taken off this year. From big name hotels embracing the process, to new companies that specialize in manufacturing the components and modules, modular construction has entered the mainstream. According to the Modular Building Institute, U.S. modular construction business has doubled in size over the last five years. And now a new report from McKinsey & Co. says that modular building can deliver projects 20% to 50% faster than traditional methods.

How Our 2019 Trends Check-in

 Re-purposing old buildings

We’re happy to see this trend growing. It’s refreshing to see older, iconic buildings being given new life, including a recent example where an old public works building was transformed using green technology. This year, however, we’ve also seen more projects taking a spin on refurbishing buildings by adding a contemporary spin.

Even more . . .

Many new projects, like Boston’s Congress Square and Portland’s historic Providence Park stadium, strike a balance between restoration and demolition to build something new. These new projects take an existing, iconic building or facility and add a contemporary expansion. The result is an upgrade to meet today’s modern world standards without disrupting historic elements. We look forward to seeing more of this trend in the future.

Women in Construction

This trend isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. In fact, it keeps picking up steam and is growing exponentially. Not only are there now several conferences dedicated to Women in Construction (WIC), there are numerous special programs and training opportunities to encourage women to join the construction workforce. The effect is even trickling down to schools and creating demand for appropriately fitting clothes and safety gear for women. As a result, more companies are springing up that are designing and selling work wear specifically for women.

Even more . . .

In addition to engaging women, the AEC industry has become more active and creative in courting younger generations. With initiatives that include rebranding construction and the trades or using technology advancements to position construction as a tech job, the industry is hoping to engage younger, tech savvy workers and show them that construction can be interesting, safe and rewarding.

Sustainable building becomes more attainable

It might be time to take this out of the trend category. With sustainable materials becoming more affordable and available than ever before, using at least some green products in buildings has become standard operating procedure. Not only is this spurred by corporate social responsibility, but business benefits including lower operating costs and higher value at point of sale for the building owner are also motivating factors. In fact, according to the World Green Building Trends 2018 report 47% of those surveyed expect more than 60% of their projects to be green by 2021.

Even more . . .

The sustainability trend is now being transferred to the interior of the building and focusing on improved occupant health and well-being. Where sustainable materials focus on the structure, wellness buildings focus on the occupant. But it’s more than interior design; it’s using safe, environmentally friendly materials during design and construction of a building. Wellness buildings have become popular enough that a Well Building Standard has been developed to optimize how design, operations and behaviors within work and living spaces can promote health and well-being.

Lean Construction

There is definitely room for this trend to continue to grow. While more firms are seeing the benefits of lean construction principles, the number of companies actually implementing the practice still remain low. It may seem daunting to start, and high-level buy-in is key, however, like our advice for implementing construction technology and construction management software, we suggest starting small (identify one area that needs improved efficiency) and add more functionality as you learn and master each element. Each small improvement adds up. Just take that first step.

Even more . . .

Another trend that falls in line with lean construction is using data on a project. With construction technology rapidly expanding it’s easier than ever to collect data across an organization and project. As contractors see the benefits of using data (budget, productivity and profitability), tech companies are working to build better tools to collect, measure and analyze data. Bringing it back to lean construction, the information distilled from these tools can be used to help pinpoint areas where lean construction principles can be applied and make an impact. Together, a powerful combo that we will be hearing more about.

What We’re Still Waiting For

 3D Printing

Another “One to Watch” from late 2017, we’ve been anticipating 3D printing’s breakthrough, but it still seems far off. There are plenty of articles touting mass use in the not-too-distant future, and one-off trials and projects, but not many mainstream use cases. The good news is, the research hasn’t slowed down, so we still do see a future for 3D printing in construction.

Exoskeletons

The safety and health benefits of Exoskeletons are well known, yet the industry hasn’t taken off. With the initial buzz about exoskeletons coming from their use in the military and medical fields, they seemed poised to take off in construction. But progress to mass use has been slow. Companies point to price and a lack of standards and guidelines as barriers to adoption, but changes to aid adoption may be coming soon.

Every company uses documents: they are the base on which businesses run. The problem, whether physical or digital, has always been how to store them so they are out of the way, yet still retrievable and usable.

Remember how much space filing cabinets took up? The answer to that conundrum was off-site storage, which presented hassles if you needed to find a document in one of those boxes. First you would have to figure out which box you need and arrange and for delivery to your business; hoping you requested the correct box. Then, there are costs to retrieve and deliver a box from storage, fees to destroy documents, and costs to put the box back in storage. In the end, offsite storage cost a lot of money and time in organizing and searching.

Even in today’s digital world, as we move away from paper to working in the cloud, there’s the digital chaos of documents in outdated servers, different devices, different filing systems, and different file formats. It’s also not uncommon to have multiple versions of a document or even duplicates in different folders. All of this can still make it difficult to find a file when you need it. While we may think that we’re being diligent using digital documents, it doesn’t mean they are organized or usable.

Luckily, for today’s digital world, there are several solutions available to store and manage your documents. But, staying organized and finding documents fast isn’t the only reason to switch to a document storage platform. Here are even more reasons to manage documents in the cloud:

• Save money by reducing storage costs,
• Recover the office space used by filing cabinets and storage boxes
• Increase productivity; employees will no longer spend hours searching for documents,
• Give access to individuals or the whole team,
• Reduce reliance on paper to save the environment and budget,
• Get a backup of your data and never worry about people losing documents or forgetting to return them to a file,
• Protect documents from water, fire and other disasters,
• Clean up digital chaos and organize your entire team.

Making the decision to manage your business documents in the cloud is easy; choosing a platform can be a little trickier. It’s a lot more than replacing file cabinets with static file storage in the cloud. You not only need a system to organize, store and track changes, but you need to find the right fit for your business and team.

To help navigate all the options available, we’ve listed our top seven features to look for in a document storage and management system.

Powerful Search

Storing documents does no good if you can’t find them when you need them. Look for a system with enhanced search capabilities such as custom index tagging and intelligent filtering. Make sure it can search inside a document, not just file names.

For example, look for a platform with optical character recognition (OCR) that makes scanned documents, PDFs and images into searchable data. If your business uses wide-format construction documents, make sure your solution can read and OCR these files. You’ll be able to quickly zoom in to the information you’re looking for.

Mobile Access

For today’s mobile society, a desktop solution isn’t sufficient. More and more people work remotely and while on the go. Make sure your solution has apps to support team members in the field. And, if your team works in remote locations with limited internet, you may want to select a solution with offline capabilities.

Security

Keeping data safe is a priority, after all you’re moving your files to the cloud to protect them from disasters such as fires, floods, and broken water pipes. But, keeping them safe from the elements isn’t the only protection they’ll need. You need a solution that will keep them safe from hackers, phishing and other scams. At a minimum make sure your solution has features such as Single Sign-On (SSO) and 2-step verification. Make sure these are easy for your team to implement.

Another measure to take is to ensure your provider is ISO Certified. The certification means a company has been assessed and demonstrated all the requirements of a sound information security management system (ISMS). In short, their procedures have been validated and they have met the requirements to keep your critical information and assets safe.

Tools for Compliance

When storing documents, either physical or in the cloud, it’s important to reduce legal risks while remaining compliant with regulations. Select a solution that allows you to setup an automated retention policy to facilitate appropriate destruction of documents and keep you legally compliant.

You won’t need to worry about reminders on your calendar or scheduled destruction being missed due to employee turnover or retirement. This also eliminates the need to spend hours getting documents out of a warehouse for review prior to destruction.

Customer Service & Support

Will you be satisfied with support via a chat bot, or would you prefer your team is supported by a person? It’s important to know your support requirements so you get the level of training and help you and your team require. Some companies offer only phone support, others have extensive video libraries, and still others offer onsite training and direct access to support. You’ll also want to investigate if there are fees for different levels of support.

Admin Controls

Not every document is meant to be seen by your whole team. Look for a solution that allows you to easily set permissions and controls over who can view and access specific files and folders.

Scalable Storage

Like paper documents that expanded throughout the office, your business accumulates digital documents. Make sure your choice has room to grow, as your business grows. Choose a system that will allow you to scale up as your business grows.

As with choosing any software platform, it’s important to understand your business needs versus wants and “nice to have” features. By understanding what you need, and comparing that list to the available options, you’ll be able to select a document storage and management system that will improve your operational efficiency and save money and valuable employee time.

In construction, productivity is the key to finishing the project on time and within budget. Yet, too often it’s equated with getting as much done in a day as is humanly possible, and far too many of us fall into that trap of cramming things into our day.

Compare that analogy with the dictionary definition; “the quality, state, or fact of being able to generate, create, enhance, or bring forth good and services,” and you’ll notice there is a difference. Productivity is getting the right things done, the right way, not getting as many things done as possible in dubious condition. Or, to use a cliché, productivity is quality over quantity.

In today’s industry, given current labor and economic conditions, everyone is trying to do more with less, yet still meet timelines and budgets. So, how do you get from cramming as much as possible into a day to concentrating on the right things and doing them well?

The first step to productivity is to identify and eliminate roadblocks that can distract you from priorities, turn your attention elsewhere and keep you in the “as much as possible” mode. Here are seven common roadblocks to look out for and banish from your jobsite. 

Lack of planning

Lack of proper planning can lead to numerous issues and keep you in constant triage mode which is reactive, not proactive. Planning starts with preconstruction and developing formal processes that will strengthen your chances of minimizing costly, unexpected changes and lead to success. You’ll want to clarify the scope and schedule as well as define responsibilities. In addition, formalizing communication processes will ensure that information is relayed and communicated out in a timely manner. It seems intuitive; planning, creating processes and being organized can save you valuable time. But when you’re up against deadlines it’s easy to want to try to cut corners. By planning prior during preconstruction, you’ll be ready to handle challenges.

Not being organized

Lack of organization is a close cousin of planning, and directly affects your team’s time management. For example, is your team actively completing tasks or are they waiting around for material, searching for information, or looking for clarification? Help your team manage their time and set them up for success by being organized so that they can actually build.

Take 10-15 minutes at the end of the day planning what tomorrow and the next day look like. This will help make sure resources are allocated correctly when the day begins and no one is waiting on information or assignments. In addition, make sure tools and equipment are organized and ready for use. Review processes for use as well as checking them out and back in. Lastly, have a 5-minute standing information meeting, first thing, so everyone is clear on the tasks to be completed. Being organized saves valuable time and let’s your team get to work on what’s important faster.

Vague Priorities

With so many things going on at once, a construction project is complicated and it’s easy to miss the forest through the trees. This is further exasperated when priorities are unclear and there is a lack of context around tasks (why do I need to do it now?). It can lead to confusion, lack of follow through, and eventually errors. It is important to communicate and balance priorities to keep the project moving on schedule. Review and update them regularly to avoid any ambiguity on what needs to be accomplished.

Unclear Standards

Standards are the acceptable level of performance at the jobsite. Yet, each subcontractor has the potential to bring a different standard, perhaps one that doesn’t match yours. It’s here that a project can go awry and result in additional rework and schedule overruns.

By setting clear guidelines, in writing, of how tasks should be carried out, you set the standard for completion, including a clear, measureable process for verification. By setting standards you remove ambiguity on job performance and guarantee consistency.

Interpersonal conflicts

On the jobsite, communication and safety are important. But, conflicts amongst team members can not only put these at risk, they distract the team, erode trust and take valuable time to resolve. Your success is built on the quality of the people who work on your project. Look for a good fit for your team, which involves getting to know your team. Ask subs tough questions about their work and staff. Also, make clear that conflicts are not to be tolerated, and handle appropriately. When safety and productivity are affected, there is no room to keep a bad fit.

Technology challenges

With technology being used more and more on the jobsite, it’s important to choose platforms that teams will embrace. While technology improves and speeds up processes, not using the tool or using it incorrectly can cause errors, rework and stall productivity. Yet it’s challenging to find the perfect app because the comfort zone range with technology on the jobsite is broad.

If you’re looking for software for your team, look for an app that not only has all the features you need, but one that is easy and intuitive for everyone on the team to use. Don’t over complicate it. You don’t want excessive down time for training, or excessive unusable tools that looked good during the demo, but you’ll never use.

Also, considering hiring younger workers to manage technology for your business. Drones, BIM and VR can be an effective carrot to entice this tech savvy generation to the industry. Lastly, to facilitate technology adoption, make sure you equip your teams with the laptops and mobile devices critical to do the job.

Continuous improvement

The construction industry is suddenly changing at a quick pace. New technology, building materials, regulations, etc., all lend to an evolving industry that may seem hard to keep up with. Whether you’ve been in business twenty years or one year, make it a priority to stay on top of trends and continually educate yourself and your staff. Not keeping up-to-date can stall a project and negatively impact productivity. Continuous education will position you and your business for success now and in the future.

In today’s fast paced, “do more with less” environment, it seems productivity roadblocks are at every turn. But, with this list you can recognize and tackle them head on, and be on your way to getting the right things done, the right way.

Recently, SKYSITE exhibited at the 100^th Annual AGC Convention and I was lucky to be part of the team attending the event. As I was talking with a current SKYSITE user, I made a point to share some of my favorite tips. I mentioned one of the features I use almost daily, sending large files, but noticed that our guest was looking at me inquisitively. To my surprise, he had never used that function, in fact, it wasn’t on his radar at all.

That got me thinking, what else do I use every day in SKYSITE that might be less familiar to casual users? It seems we’ve been focused on talking about and training users on admin tools like markups, RFIs, submittals and punch lists, but we disregarded  that there are other features and tricks we use every day that people would find beneficial.

Luckily, we’re all about sharing and to help you get even more from SKYSITE, here are four features that can make your workday easier:

Send files

While many people know SKYSITE makes it easy to share documents, images, videos, and even folders; what’s not as well-known is you can also easily send files, including large ones that typically can’t be sent via email. By using SKYSITE to send your large files (think video, photos, DWG files), you avoid not only having to open another app, such as an FTP to share, but you also avoid paying fees for services or throttled down performance for free accounts.

Storage

While you may already be aware that SKYSITE is great for keeping your projects organized, have you tried using it to store other documents? Because there are no storage limits (in SKYSITE Projects) or per sheet charges, you can create folders and store all types of documents and media. For example, I keep a folder of all the videos we produce in my SKYSITE account. That way, my hard drive is freed up and I know they’re safely stored. As a bonus, I can easily share these right from the app.

Print

While we advocate using less paper, sometimes you just need a paper print out of a document. SKYSITE makes that easy for you. You can connect and send files for printing to over 170 global locations right from the app. It’s easy and works like a shopping cart, and you can deliver prints to yourself or another location. My favorite, while it may not happen often, is you can be in California, and order a print to be delivered in London.

Use punch lists for tasks

SKYSITE’s punch list is an easy to use tool to prepare the traditional list of work, that’s not to spec, near the end of a project and prior to final payment. However, many of our users also use the punch list function to create tasks for themselves and their team from the start of the project. It’s an easy method to assign and create a task on a drawing, and you can even attach a video or voice memo. You get easy accountability and tracking to make sure the work gets complete.

While SKYSITE is the best construction management software for easy project management, don’t forget to check out some of the features that can make your everyday work life a little easier.

These days, the challenges and business threats contractors face seem to be growing and eating deeper into profit margins. Competition, material costs, economic conditions and more are significantly impacting businesses. Dealing with this barrage daily is exhausting and leaves owners feeling like they’ll never have time to find a solution. Yet, to be successful, contractors must find the time to be proactive and motivate their team, move their business towards the future and create a culture that fosters innovation.

Now is the time to evaluate your corporate culture and develop a plan to ensure the sustainability of your firm. Why transform your company culture? It is at this core of your business that you and your team can make informed decisions to future-proof your business. As the industry changes, not adjusting your vision to combat current and future threats through innovation and motivation is a path to failure.

Changing to an innovation culture, one that fosters an experimental mindset, value creation and looks for opportunities, may not seem intuitive for the construction industry. While it is a large undertaking that requires time, it will position your company to be prepared for modernization and challenges in the future and will pay-off for years to come.

In addition to the economic factors mentioned, there are other indicators that “business as usual” will no longer be sufficient to survive. The long-term labor shortage has companies rethinking recruiting and hiring processes. Changing your corporate mindset from traditional hiring practices based on wages will help you hire and retain top talent. For the employee, especially the younger, incoming workforce, a company with a dynamic culture is more attractive than one that is traditional.

The fast pace of new technology entering the industry also requires a shift in culture. No longer an option, technology such as BIM, drones, and construction project management software is being implemented across the industry. To facilitate the adaption of tech, companies need to foster creative thinking to eliminate roadblocks and objections to implementation.

Lean construction is another initiative gaining traction that requires a culture change. These principles have been practiced in manufacturing since Toyota developed the approach after World War II. Yet, like with technology, the construction industry has been slow to adopt the practice. Based on methodology of maximizing value while reducing waste of materials, time and effort, lean construction focuses on the whole process to remove waste and create continuous improvement. With rising material costs and the continuing labor shortage this trend to work more productivity while eliminating waste is right on time, yet implementing the practice will require a culture shift to a new way of thinking.

Where do you begin? Making this shift is a two-part process; first you’ll need to establish an innovation culture, then it’s imperative to continue to motivate your team as motivated employees are the key to innovation in your business.

We’ve outlined steps to take to change your workplace from business-as-usual to a company prepared for the future.

Steps to innovate

1. Build collaboration – your team becomes stronger, more creative when they work collaboratively, not separately.
2. Set metrics – you’ll want to gauge the success of your program. The point is not punishment, which stifles innovation, but recognition and reward for meeting goals.
3. Think like a startup – emphasize speed and agility and use the “start-up mentality” to disrupt and move ideas along.
4. Balance operational excellence with innovation – not every process has to change. Recognize what is currently successful, but continue to develop new processes.
5. Open the information exchange – open the exchange of knowledge to include not just managers providing information, but peer-to-peer knowledge on the job and industry. Insufficient information and poor communication will have nothing but a negative effect on your team.
6. Don’t discount ideas – not taking ideas seriously will become an obstacle to future innovation and derail motivation.
7. Hand over responsibility – increasing employee responsibility has numerous positive effects, including creativity and happiness.
8. Provide psychological safety – give your staff the ability to take risks without feeling insecure or embarrassed.

Steps to motivate 

1. Provide structure and clarity – while this may sound counter intuitive at first, structure and clarity help employees understand goals, roles and plans and gives them the knowledge of what must be done to succeed.
2. Acknowledge meaning & impact – If you use an idea, make a big deal about it and show appreciation. Recognize employees and show how their ideas have meaning and a positive impact on the company.
3. Show your team the big picture – be transparent about the project and direction of company and how their role contributes to success. When the team understand the goals, they are motivated to accept the mission.
4. Be an example – show them your principles. You can’t expect X, Y and Z if you don’t follow those values yourself. Your behavior as a leader can make or break innovation.
5. Respect their capabilities – don’t micromanage or “parent” your team. If you want innovative, productive employees, treat them like adults.
6. Invest in your team – hire not only qualified people, but ones that believe in the company and fit with your culture.

Building an innovation culture as a business strategy is a necessary process to meet the threats, challenges and changes the construction industry is facing. However, by following the above tips, you can start small and continue build for the future.

Imagine a building that works to keep you healthy. As sustainable materials in building have gained in popularity and affordability, a new trend from that vein has emerged; wellness building. Where sustainable materials focus on the structure, wellness buildings focus on the occupant. While the two go hand-in-hand, they offer different benefits.

What is driving this trend? As companies are starting to see not only financial benefits, such as operating cost savings, of green building but also the social benefits, the focus has transitioned to not only sustainable materials, but buildings that consider the occupants wellness. In fact, according to the World Green Building Trends 2018 SmartMarket Report, 58% of respondents selected “improved occupant health and well-being,” as an important benefit of green building. Other factors driving demand include increased corporate social responsibility, younger generations pushing for healthier environments, client demands and, of course, environmental regulations.

But, just what is wellness building? While green building is a movement using sustainable materials, wellness building focuses on healthy materials and environments that don’t harm humans or the planet. For example, as we have become more educated about what we eat and insist our food be free of harmful chemicals and toxins, this knowledge and preference has carried over to the materials and design in our living and work spaces to create a healthier environment (e.g., no toxic drywall or formaldehyde flooring).

Some examples of wellness initiatives being incorporated into buildings include:
• Using building materials that are free of toxins
• Ensuring water is delivered safely and clean
• Using systems that provide clean, filtered air
• Incorporating high-quality lighting that improves productivity and energy
• Including plants and nature in the design
• Using active design tactics, such as stairs that encourage use over elevators
• Re-thinking traditional spaces to promote healthy lifestyles

This trend is not limited to just commercial buildings. While wellness tactics are currently being incorporated more into office environments and commercial spaces, home builders are beginning to see the value. The shift comes as buyers become more educated and look beyond master suites and search for healthy, toxic free environments that promote life-enhancing habits.

The timing of wellness trends is also enhanced and benefited by the emergence of smart buildings and smart homes. As technology is incorporated more and more into building design, it allows for standards to be monitored and adjusted as needed. For example, air and water quality can be tracked to maintain health and comfort levels. Even in the building process, technology such as construction project management can add to the efficiency of the project by reducing paper use and saving time.

To be sure, wellness building is not a fad or just the realm of “tree huggers.” While wellness measures may not be as quantifiable as sustainability initiatives, a new WELL Building Standard has emerged to optimize how design, operations and behaviors within work and living spaces can promote health and well-being. Like the LEED certification for buildings, the WELL standard provides a framework to create healthy spaces for the well-being of occupants.

As the wellness movement advances and grows in popularity, design firms and builders will need to keep current with advancements that provide green, healthy and innovative environments.

We’ve all heard that construction is one of the last industries to embrace technology (only followed by agriculture and hunting). But now that technology is more widely embraced, there is a construction tech boom and firms are scrambling to get started. Yet, despite the benefits of using software, 47% of construction managers still use manual methods to collect important project information (survey by TrackVia).

Getting started in construction tech

One of the main obstacles is just knowing where to start. Whether you’re at the beginning with researching options or looking to change a current software vendor, it can be a challenge wading through all the options available for construction management software. A quick search provides an overload of information from vendors and review sites.

With all these options available, how do you choose the right solution for your firm? How do you prioritize what is most important for your team: easy-of-use, tools available, customer support, mobility, pricing, security, etc.?

Don’t forget an implementation strategy

What’s even more important, and often overlooked when developing a construction tech strategy, is the implementation. You’ll also need to determine how this new tool will be rolled out to your team. For example, before you choose a solution you’ll need answer:

1. How do I encourage adoption on the job site?
2. How do I validate that the solution is being used?
3. How should I respond to resistance?
4. Should I start with a pilot project or immediately implement it company-wide?

In addition, you’ll need to develop processes to ensure success. As you research solutions, you should also be developing workflows and measurement metrics, as well as making sure you have the right talent on your workforce to use the technology.

Where to begin

To help you get started, we’ve compiled a guide with not only the top tips on how to choose a construction software platform, but the best practices for implementation. Also, included is a checklist to help you determine and rank your needs.

Armed with the knowledge of what you truly need, you’ll be better prepared to find the right software partner, and not be tempted by bells and whistles that you don’t need.

Get Started in Construction Management Software

Don’t look now, but spring is sneaking up on us. And, the good news is Punxsutawney Phil recently predicted an early spring. The bad news; most of us haven’t even begun to think about the maintenance our buildings will need, let alone start planning for it.

As we get ready to shake off winter, it’s time to start strategizing your plan for spring. You know how busy the spring months can get; contending with storm damage, dirt, and general wear and tear. Now is the time to plan to make sure maintenance is scheduled, equipment is ordered and your team is ready.

To help get you started we’ve listed our top 10 things to do now, so you’ll be prepared for spring.

Conduct a full facility check

This task really isn’t just for spring, but should be done each season to benchmark and stay on top of the state of your facility. This is the time to think ahead and anticipate potential problems before they emerge. Create a master project list and prioritize your needs according to weather and timing (i.e. times when the building might be less occupied). Give special attention to areas hardest hit by winter.

Check, service and repair equipment

Make sure equipment not used during the winter is in good and safe working order. Do spot repairs on equipment that you maintain and schedule any needed maintenance. Now is also the time to order equipment with long lead times, as well as ensure you have inventory of parts, such as air filters, on hand in time.

Do spot repairs

As you conduct your facility check, make note of smaller items and minor damage that you can do a spot repair on now to catch small problems now, before they become big ones. This will help prevent a minor issue from escalating into a larger, more expensive repair or emergency.

Test and Condition Air Conditioning Units

It may seem too early to turn on your AC, but now, before the weather starts heating up, is the time to give your A/C units a check-up. Chances are your units have been sitting idle all winter, gathering dirt and dust. You’ll want to make sure to perform regular maintenance on the filters, coils and fins, and run tests to make sure they are in good working order and running efficiently. Getting ahead on your A/C units will keep tenants happy this spring and summer.

Develop a strategy

Take the time to go through your “to do” list and prioritize your projects. Pinpoint problem areas, and identify “must-haves” and “wish-list” items. Prioritizing and scheduling projects based on needs will allow you to focus your resources more effectively.

Freshen up first impressions

Take the time to spruce up your interior entrances where your business makes its first impression. Eliminate clutter and deep clean floors that may have had mud and snow tracked through them. Don’t forget to look up; this is also the ideal time to tackle more comprehensive cleaning; such as ceiling dusting.

While it may be too early to work outside, you can plan to spruce up your exterior appearance.  Schedule outdoor maintenance, exterior pressure washing, painting and landscaping. Getting it on the calendar now will eliminate delays if you wait until the last minute to get it on the books.

Clean your windows

It may not seem like a high priority, but cleaning your windows is important for occupant comfort. Now’s the time to schedule a full window washing to get rid of winter dirt and grime (don’t forget the interiors!). You’ll be surprised how much natural light you get back. This simple measure will have a positive impact on the mood of the people in your facility as well as workplace performance.

Evaluate Technology

There are a variety of technology products available to make managing buildings easier. This is the ideal time to take stock of where your facility could benefit from technology specifically designed for facilities managers that gives them instant mobile access to important information as well as using smart technology. For example, you can use smart sensors for energy efficiency, as well as monitoring water use to determine plumbing issues. By using technology, you can reduce operating costs, increase productivity and improve your occupants’ comfort.

If you’re already using tech, investigate how to use the data gathered for predictive maintenance to forecast when a problem will occur so you can plan for and provide maintenance accordingly.

Identify cost-saving maintenance opportunities

If you aren’t already doing this, record and monitor your maintenance costs. This will give you a realistic history and documentation of where your budget, as well as staff resources, is being spent. With this knowledge, you can make informed decisions if you are on the right track or if you need to allocate your resources differently. When you look at your expenses and resources over time, you can anticipate what will be needed and identify opportunities to save.

Review safety procedures

The transition to spring is the ideal time to review your safety procedures. For example, take a look at your things like your fire escape plan and test your fire alarms, extinguishers and replace batteries in smoke detectors. Make sure your team knows where all safety equipment is located. During your walk through, review all your safety signage and ensure it is up to date and visible. This is also the time to hold safety training with your team to educate them on new procedures and remind them of current safety measures to make sure they are top of mind.

These are just some of the steps you should take this spring to ensure your business is ready for the busy months ahead. Starting the season by setting goals and following these measures is a proactive way to protect your building, keep occupants comfortable and your staff safe.

How are you doing on your 2019 New Year’s resolutions? By now, most of us have an idea of whether we are sticking to, adjusting or abandoning our personal resolutions. But, did you make professional resolutions?

Whether you’re on track or have already given up your personal resolutions, we have 7 ideas for industry related resolutions, and it’s not too late to get started!

Hire outside the box
We’ve written about the labor shortage before, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. As this continues, it’s important to look beyond the usual and increase your options by hiring from diverse backgrounds. Look at sources not usually on the radar for your recruiting, such as people looking to make a career change, as well as people that have transferable skills that translate to your business. Most importantly, look for people who are a good fit for your company culture.

Commit to safety
Everyone knows safety is important, but have you really made it a priority? Safety starts with leadership, from business owners, project managers and supervisors on down, to become intrinsic to company values. Not only must top management lead by example, they will need to designate resources, people, budget, technology and time for training and continuing evaluation. All team members, starting from the top, need to participate to emphasize the importance of safety and make it a successful imitative.

Try new technology
Whether you are new to using technology on the jobsite, or an early adapter, there are new options available to help you and your team be more efficient and productive. If you’re just starting out using technology, a good place to start is with one of the many construction project management software options. These apps allow you to manage projects and collaborate with your team in real time. The result is improved productivity, better communication and fewer errors and rework.

If you’re already seasoned using construction management software, delve deeper and explore augmented reality, BIM and drones. Also, for the tech savvy, start researching the future: robotics and autonomous vehicles.

Plan for the future
Now is the time to invest in staffing for the long term. This involves two components. First, become a mentor. Find local opportunities to educate the future workforce about the industry, opportunities and options. Perhaps even offer an apprenticeship program.

Second, create a succession plan for essential roles in your company. Identify potential gaps in knowledge and invest in training and leadership development to ensure your company has the skills and depth as your company grows.

Incorporate more sustainable materials
According to the World Green Building Trends 2018 report 47% of those surveyed expect more than 60% of their projects to be green by 2021. What is causing the change? While there is still a perception that sustainable building materials and fixtures are more expensive, the costs have steadily been coming down due to increased demand, allowing sustainable products, such as steel beams made from recycled metal, to be incorporate more and more into everyday design. You can take it to the next level by educating owners on the importance of sustainable materials, as well as working with vendors to increase their green options.

Learn something new
It’s easy to fall into the trap of being “too busy” to attend classes, but it’s important to stay on top of trends, technology, and techniques. Check out ways you can stay up on the industry and industry practices. Conferences are a great way to learn, network and even meet some of the vendors of industry products. If you’re crunched for time, look for online courses. Whatever way works best for you, continuing your education not only keeps you up to date on the industry, but it could help you advance your career.

Use data
Today there’s an incredible amount of data available to help you make informed decisions for your construction project. The information can help you set strategies through accurate and efficient planning and design. By making well informed decisions, you’ll boost the efficiency and safety of your project. For example, using these systems you can capture historical information and benchmark estimates, bids, budgets and schedules.

Of course, making the shift to digital data requires an organizational commitment and learning curve. However, the efficiencies gained will be worth the effort.

As you evaluate that status of your resolutions, take the time to make some professional ones and decide what you’d like to implement in 2019.