Technology’s Role in Changing Office and Job Site Communication

The success of any construction project starts with accurate planning and management. Unfortunately, the margin for error has shrunk down to a point where traditional methods for pricing out and running a job can easily put any project into the red. In part two with Anne Pfleger, she explains how technology has changed to meet these planning and management needs head on.

Anne Pfleger  is the Estimating, Safety and HR Administrator at Charles Construction Services, the PreQualification and Estimating Administrator at Hancock Structural Steel and the President of the National Association of Women in Construction. In this episode, Anne shares how estimating and project management has changed through COVID, and what new technologies are out there to make management simpler. She shares how construction technology is changing how safety and HR departments function on the job site.

Key Takeaways:

1. Changes due to COVID have been stress inducing. COVID-19 has changed how business in construction is conducted, and a number of workers dig their heels in at the sight of change – especially when it comes to technology. Both IT and HR can ease this burden by ensuring workers receive the tools needed to master modern construction technology. Once the technology is utilized across the job site everyone benefits from the increased efficiency.
2. Drones are one of the most important new technologies on the job site. Drones have been around for a few years but their importance has surged. From fire damage repair to asbestos removal, drones take dangerous inspection work and remove the ability for a person to be injured. Drones also save time for walkthroughs, progress reports and material management.
3. Communication from leadership needs to match the individual. The channels available to communicate with colleagues are unparalleled, but just like any technology, these are effective when they are used.  Slack, text, email and phone calls are the most direct options, but they aren’t the only ones. Internal Chat functions and digital forms also give unique platforms to communicate. It’s the leader’s responsibility to make sure that they are connecting with their workers in the most productive way possible.