By Patrick Hogan, handle.com
The construction industry is steadily increasing its embrace of technology to improve efficiency. Moving from paper to digital spreadsheets had been a long process. Today, with significant advancements in construction tech, many back offices and even professionals on job sites are adopting various tailored software solutions to streamline their operations and make their jobs easier.
That said, companies that have rolled out new technology would be familiar with the challenges of changing workflows and learning new software, especially when operations are nonstop. You won’t want to invest in a new app or system and end up not using it or having a mish-mash process that defeats the purpose of adopting new tech.
Suppose you’re looking into new software or seeking to improve the adoption of new tools in your construction business. In that case, you will need to understand that even solutions that are advertised as turnkey will still require conscientious learning for you to extract the most benefit. Training is critical in this regard.
Here are some training strategies you could incorporate into your company to get the most out of your tech investments.
Enlist the help of the software provider
Software providers in tech want you to be comfortable with their offerings, moreso with the advent of subscription-based programs. Tech is a competitive space, no matter the vertical. So don’t think twice about asking your point person for assistance, even if they’ve supplied you with training materials and resources such as knowledge bases and training videos.
The vendors are also more familiar with the challenges you and your teams can expect and can help you anticipate potential issues, as they’ve gathered previous customer feedback, especially from clients with similar profiles to yours. Companies that create software for use on the job site know that no two situations are alike, and their assistance is integral to your optimal use of the solution they provide. For example, a lien management software provider can help your credit staff devise a streamlined workflow aligned with the combination of states you have projects, so you never miss the filing of necessary pre-lien notices and other documents.
Set aside time for training
Time spent on software training shouldn’t be deemed a waste. This time is an essential investment that pays off in time savings when your staff has the necessary knowledge to use tools to make work more efficient. For example, you may need to set aside a few hours to train your accounting and credit departments to learn a new accounting system that integrates seamlessly with your lien management software.
It may be tempting and seemingly less time-consuming to assume that learning new software can be done on the fly. However, for business-critical processes where issues can cause a ripple effect on the rest of your business, you’d want to ensure all staff involved are adequately trained. Making unnecessary mistakes that can derail things beyond the work at hand can be avoided by proper training.
Identify technology champions
Adoption is uneven. Some people in your company may be more comfortable with tech in general or have used similar or the same software previously. They play a key role in ensuring peer support is present for those facing friction as they use new software.
You should note that a learning curve is inevitable. This is especially the case if switching away from workflows and tools that your staff has been using for many years. Those who can adapt to new tech fast will be able to help bridge the gap, whether your company chooses to do a quick shift or a slow transition to the new tech.
Document software usage
Many training resources from the provider won’t be specifically tailored to your use case. For features your team uses often, it’s prudent to create regularly updated and accessible documentation for those who might need it. These also allow you to be more specific whenever you’d wish to consult with someone from the software company regarding points of friction and feature requests.
Business-to-business software providers are very receptive to customer feedback. They pay particular attention to persistent issues and feature gaps. Documenting how your teams use the software will not only help hasten the training for new personnel, but also help improve the software itself and amplify its benefits for your team.
Regularly evaluate software effectiveness and usage
There are cases where software can be a bane to your operations even if you onboard it with the best intentions. This is why evaluating your teams’ experiences with using the software is essential to appraise whether you’re getting your money’s worth and identify potential or pressing issues with the tech and its alignment with your company’s goals.
Training is an essential component as your organization works on digitization. Finding the right tools and putting a training plan in place will improve your operations and allow you to stay ahead of competition.
About the Author:
Patrick Hogan is the CEO of Handle.com, where they build software that helps contractors and material suppliers with lien management and payment compliance. The biggest names in construction use Handle on a daily basis to save time and money while improving efficiency.
