After nearly 20 years in construction, I have strong opinions on what makes construction software truly worthwhile. To take a step back, I began my career as an electrician after serving in the military. That start led to nearly two decades of progressively senior roles in construction—from field engineer to project manager, and ultimately, safety director—before I transitioned into construction software sales. Here are some observations I’ve made from both my time in the construction industry and now from the software side.
In the industry, there are people with deep scars—veterans who have experienced failed software implementations, misaligned solutions, and technologies that simply didn’t make a difference. These veterans are often hesitant to adopt new technologies, preferring the proverbial “pen and paper.” This reluctance is even stronger among those nearing retirement, who may not want the added responsibility of learning and implementing a new tool across their organization. Then, there are those who have similar experiences but remain open to testing new solutions. They’ve been around long enough to understand traditional construction methods but have also grown up alongside technology and witnessed its impact over the past two decades—we’ll call them tech traditionalists. Finally, there’s a new generation eager to explore tools, test technologies, and drive change, though they may lack the lived experience of their senior colleagues. Growing up with platforms like Instagram and TikTok, we’ll refer to this group as Tech Natives. Together, these three cohorts are essential for driving construction organizations forward.
In a construction software evaluation and rollout, each of these three groups—Veterans, Tech Traditionalists, and Tech Natives—brings unique value. Veterans have an in-depth understanding of construction, having built processes from the ground up, often beginning with actual pen and paper. Their experience lays the foundation for the way many technologies are now structured. Tech Traditionalists, like me, bridge the gap between Veterans and the new generation; they’ve been around long enough to respect traditional methods while also seeing the transformative potential of technology. This group can communicate effectively with both Veterans and the tech-savvy younger generation. Lastly, Tech Natives are quick to adapt to new tools and have an intuitive grasp of technology. This adaptability makes them essential in integrating and adopting new solutions quickly and effectively. Together, these groups contribute a well-rounded perspective that balances foundational knowledge, adaptability, and forward-thinking, all critical for successful software evaluation and adoption.
Ediphi is strategically positioned to address the needs of all three industry personas—Tech Natives, Tech Traditionalists, and Veterans.
Here’s how: Ediphi’s user-friendly, collaborative design appeals to Tech Natives, who are accustomed to consumer-grade technology and expect cloud-based, real-time collaboration. They are energized by Ediphi’s roadmap and future technologies. For Tech Traditionalists, Ediphi’s familiar interface provides a reliable, effective tool without unnecessary complexity. This group values streamlined workflows and the efficiency of using fewer tools. Veterans appreciate that Ediphi builds on their decades of estimating experience, with a platform that feels familiar without requiring extensive retraining. They are eager to pass down their accumulated knowledge to the next generation and see it preserved within a robust platform. Since Ediphi is made up of a passionate team who understand each of these perspectives, we are more able to resonate with and support users from all three groups.
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