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In this episode, I talk with Bhragan Paramanantham, a professional engineer at AECOM, about the key steps to driving tech adoption in engineering teams. We explore the power of taking action, building meaningful relationships, and using automation to boost productivity.
***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Bhragan:
- What inspired you to start your weekly newsletter, Last Week in ConTech, and what gap in the construction technology space did you aim to fill with it?
- What do you see as the biggest challenges to widespread tech adoption in the construction industry?
- What motivated you to build a database of construction technology startups, and what value do you hope it will bring to the industry?
- Which emerging technologies or innovative solutions are you most excited about for their potential impact on the construction industry?
- How do you see education and upskilling helping to promote the broader adoption of construction technology?
- What are your future goals for the ConTech space, and how do you hope to contribute to its growth and development?
- What advice would you give to engineers who want to integrate more technology into their work but are hesitant to take the first step?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Encourage Tech Adoption in Engineering Teams:
- The newsletter, Last Week in ConTech, was inspired by the need to bridge the awareness and education gap in the construction industry. With low adoption of construction technology, it aims to highlight new solutions and provide insights on how to effectively implement and scale them, helping professionals integrate innovations into their workflows.
- The biggest challenges to widespread tech adoption include a lack of awareness and education. Many professionals are unaware of the technology available, and even when they are, they may lack the training on how to pilot, implement, and scale these solutions effectively within their organizations.
- The motivation behind building the database was to provide a centralized resource for professionals to easily discover and learn about construction technology startups. By offering insights into the solutions these startups provide, the database can increase awareness and help facilitate broader technology adoption in the industry.
- Bootcamp-style programs are particularly exciting because they address the labor shortage in construction by offering faster entry into the field compared to traditional degrees. These programs not only fill the jobs gap but also train participants in the latest best practices for using construction technology on-site, which can help accelerate the adoption of new tech.
- Education and upskilling are crucial to broader tech adoption, as they equip professionals with the knowledge needed to use new technology effectively. Bootcamp programs, in particular, are creating a skilled workforce that is trained in the latest technologies, helping both to address labor shortages and to promote a more tech-savvy industry.
- The goal for the ConTech space is to create a platform that shares best practices for adopting construction technology, providing smaller firms with accessible resources and expert insights. By offering practical guidance from industry experts, the platform can help even smaller companies adopt technology without the high cost of consultants, contributing to widespread industry improvement.
- Start by building relationships with digital managers or experts within your company who are focused on technology. By reaching out and offering to support them, you’ll get involved in technology-related projects and learn how tech can help streamline workflows, easing your transition into integrating more technology into your practice.
More Details in This Episode…
About Bhragan Paramanantham
Bhragan Paramanantham is a versatile civil engineer specializing in pavements and aviation at AECOM, where he has been contributing since October 2023. In addition to his engineering work, he writes a popular weekly newsletter, Last Week in Contech, offering insights into startup funding, industry news, acquisitions, and the effects of policy and regulatory changes in the construction technology sector.
Previously, Bhragan worked as a freelance Bubble.io developer, building apps for startups and creating educational content for the software agency Airdev. He holds dual degrees in commerce and civil engineering (Honours) from Monash University, blending finance and civil engineering to create a strong foundation for his career.
His professional focus lies at the intersection of construction, technology, and education, where he explores innovative solutions and shares his knowledge to improve the way infrastructure is built and developed.
About the Host: Nick Heim, P.E.
Nick Heim, P.E., is a civil engineer with six years of experience in the repair and restoration of existing structures, and host of the AEC Engineering and Technology Podcast (AECTECH), where he brings valuable insights and expertise to listeners worldwide.
Nick’s interests lie at the intersection between the built world and technology, and he can be found looking for the ever-changing answer to the question, “How can we do this better?” Nick can be found on LinkedIn, producing content about use of technologies in his civil engineering career and small business.
Sources/References:
Last Week in ConTech
AECOM
Connect with Bhragan Paramanantham on LinkedIn
We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you can share on how you encourage tech adoption in your engineering teams.
Please leave your comments, feedback, or questions in the section below.
To your success,
Nick Heim, P.E.
Host of the AEC Engineering and Technology Podcast
