Breaking Ground: 7 Obstacles Preventing Construction Industry Technology Adoption

Many businesses, especially in construction, have yet to embrace technology improvements even if they are extensively applied in numerous sectors. Their resistance to new technologies keeps them from realizing their best possibilities for increased efficiency and output. But why is this happening? Read on to learn more.

(Photo : Pexels/Tuğba Yıldırım )

1. Tech Savviness

Various personnel have various degrees of familiarity with technology, which is one of the key obstacles the construction industry faces. Some workers may accept new digital technologies, while others struggle to adapt. Inconsistencies like this can make it challenging to implement creative ideas efficiently. Also, the diverse workforce the business employs adds a layer of complication to the efforts toward integrating technology. This obstacle must be overcome by implementing intensive training programs and continuous support to guarantee that all staff possess the necessary abilities. 

2. Legacy Software

The widespread use of outdated legacy software is a significant obstacle for those working in construction. Many organizations in the construction industry still use decades-old products, and some are still stuck in the on-premises domain while slowly shifting to the cloud. 

3. Change Resistance

Construction has been carried out in the same manner for a very long time. Many individuals need more confidence and require a great deal of persuasion. Older workers are especially opposed to change, as the average age of workers in the construction business in the United States is 42 and continues to rise. As mentioned, adapting to high-tech solutions is frequently tricky for them, and they are concerned about the possibility of losing their jobs. 

4. Lack of Standardization

The absence of field standardization is one of the most critical obstacles preventing the building industry from using lately developed technologies. Despite their distinct methodologies and approaches, improving communication and coordination is frequently necessary among the numerous individuals involved in the construction process, such as architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and proprietors. Thus, since there is a need for more standardization, it can be challenging for new technologies to be embraced and included in the building procedure. 

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5. Short-term Focus

The construction sector frequently emphasizes short-term objectives and outcomes. Builders and construction companies are usually more concerned with completing a job on schedule and under budget than obtaining new technology that can have long-term advantages. This short-term emphasis could make it difficult to adjust and include new technologies in the building process in progress.

6. Learning Curve

Building up many construction technologies can require a significant amount of time and work on the contractor's part, depending on the data transfer involved. There is a tendency for contractors to be reluctant to begin from scratch when learning a new tool because construction projects continue for long software setup and training.

7. Lack of Simple Integrations

Most of the new software solutions created are process-specific and cannot interact with additional tools. Accordingly, setting up these APIs might take many months. IT specialists or developers with extensive experience working with sophisticated APIs are often necessary to integrate and maintain a cohesive technology stack. This process involves technical expertise and a deep understanding of the construction industry's specific needs and workflows. Nevertheless, setting up these APIs and ensuring they function seamlessly together can be complex and time-consuming. 

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