Q: Tell us a bit about Beard’s digital journey with information management?
A few years ago, it was a very different story from where we are today. We had a significant paper trail for both Health & Safety and Quality records, which were all completed manually. While site teams used digital cameras for photos, this added complexity as the information was stored across multiple locations. Add to this a large warehouse of paper records and retrieving information was both time-consuming and inefficient.
Recognising these challenges, Beard decided it was the perfect time for change and began exploring third-party software solutions, before introducing Trimble Viewpoint for Projects and Trimble Field View digital tools. What was once a very real information nightmare became a well organised and transparent process.
Q: How important is training when it comes to tech adoption?
Oh it’s hugely important! Across Beard, we believe that a system is only as good as the people who use it, meaning it is our responsibility to empower the software users through hands-on support.
When it comes to project and document management software, such as Viewpoint for Projects and Field View, a large percentage of the data collection occurs out on site rather than in the office. While our site teams are experts at what they do in terms of building structures, grasping new technology can be a bit more of a challenge. However, with the evolving regulations and more stringent requirements, this isn’t something that can be avoided.
With this in mind, it’s essential that we support staff and provide them with the tools and knowledge needed to maximise on the value that technology can offer. If these support pillars aren’t in place, then the work either won’t get done or there’ll be large data gaps and siloes.
Q: Can this be a barrier to wide-spread tech adoption?
Unfortunately, yes. It’s not enough to just purchase the software package—if anything, that is the easy bit, especially with regulations often dictating what type of digital system you need in place. It’s all about what you do with it next and how you seek to integrate it within your team. Not having these skills or support network in place can definitely be a barrier, as can reluctance to change and upskill.
Ultimately, technology isn’t going away anytime soon; instead, it’s becoming more of a necessity. That’s why roles such as mine are so important, there to support our operational teams and champion digital upskilling.
Q: How will new talent coming into the industry help drive tech adoption?
It’s actually really interesting. Young graduates and trainees are often more digitally minded—using these types of digital platforms comes naturally to them. However, what they lack is site experience. That’s why we’ve begun to pair them up with our site managers. They each become something of a “mentor”, with the skills and knowledge sharing a two-way street.
It’s been working really well so far, with many success stories across the business. We’ve even begun expanding on it with the new T-Level students who come to us.
This younger, digitally minded generation is only going to help boost the digitalisation of the construction industry, especially when paired with our older and more experienced site and project managers. It’s the best of both worlds and the perfect combination.
Q: What tips would you offer to a company looking to introduce a new software or digital workflow?
I think it’s important to say that every day really is a learning curve. We’re not perfect. We’re guilty of previously bringing in new products but not tailoring it to suit our workflows, not getting the communication right, not onboarding it properly—and naturally, it fell by the waste side. It’s very easy to waste money.
To avoid this, ensure you have a clear plan of what your business needs from the software first and how you want it to be used. If possible, opt for a digital platform that can be tailored to suit your bespoke needs and processes. After all, no one size fits all.
It’s also important to have the resources and support pillars in place to help streamline the upskilling transition, it can be a big change. Make sure that your staff feel both heard and supported. While you can bring in the best technology, effective communication will still win the day.
Q: What form does this training and empowerment take?
First, I think it’s important to stress that training or onboarding shouldn’t just be a one-time thing or (worst) a box-ticking exercise. Instead, it’s very much a continuous commitment. Technology itself is constantly evolving, with new features being added, but also our experience of the tech is also changing as we encounter new challenges or applications.
Training can take many different forms, from an initial video session or induction, to shadowing a nominated person for a day. In-person sessions are hugely valuable; I’ve found that people often prefer face-to-face conversations and open communication. It’s also important to offer dedicated solo sessions, enabling you to tailor these to suit an individual’s learning capabilities or role responsibilities.
Large workshops that get everyone involved has been another success. For us, this includes our 400+ internal staff, subcontractors and wider supply chain. Everyone who uses the digital platform in some way, no matter how small, should be brought along on the journey. We’ve seen a massive uptake of Viewpoint software since the workshops. It could be that staff simply weren’t aware of a specific feature or tool, discovered a more efficient way of working or even didn’t know that the software could do x, y, z.
Q: How important is support from the software provider?
Incredibly important, not just at the initial onboarding stage but throughout your journey with the platform. I’ve been in the industry for ten years now and have worked with a lot of third-party providers in this time. Trimble really does hit the nail on the head with support and guidance. They are also constantly updating the software, listening to user feedback and taking this on board—it’s very much a two-way street.
What’s stopping you?
