In this episode, I talk with Steve Dell’Orto, founder and CEO of ConCntric, about the critical preconstruction gaps that impact project success and how addressing them is key to delivering exceptional results.
***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.***
Engineering Quotes:
Here Are Some of the Questions I Asked Steve:
- What are the biggest challenges in preconstruction today, and how do they affect project outcomes?
- How are data-driven technologies changing the way preconstruction planning is done in construction?
- How does the ConCntric platform help bring together data, people, and processes to make preconstruction projects more predictable and successful?
- Why is collaboration important in preconstruction, and how can better workflows improve project success?
- What challenges do construction teams face when trying to use data-driven solutions in preconstruction?
- Do you think people hesitate to switch to data-driven tools because it’s hard to find ones that fit their workflow?
- What new trends in construction technology are shaping the future of preconstruction?
- What final piece of advice can you offer to construction professionals who want to embrace data-driven technologies and improve their preconstruction processes?
Here Are Some Key Points Discussed in This Episode About How to Ensure Exceptional Results in Preconstruction:
- Preconstruction faces significant challenges, including communication gaps and reliance on outdated tools like spreadsheets. These challenges create inefficiencies, increase errors, and result in less predictable outcomes, highlighting the importance of collaboration and adopting modern technology for improvement.
- Data-driven technologies bridge the gap between designers and builders by enabling better communication and seamless coordination. Through structured data and real-time insights, these tools improve planning efficiency, minimize delays, and enhance project outcomes.
- The ConCntric platform centralizes data, improves teamwork, and streamlines workflows within a shared virtual environment. By reducing inefficiencies and minimizing errors, it enables stakeholders to work together effectively, leading to more predictable and successful project outcomes.
- Collaboration unites designers, owners, and builders in working toward a shared goal, reducing inefficiencies caused by disconnects. Streamlined workflows strengthen communication, minimize rework, and enable faster, more accurate project delivery.
- Construction teams often hesitate to adopt data-driven solutions due to resistance to change and challenges in finding tools suited to their workflows. Platforms designed by industry experts address these concerns, simplifying the adoption process and improving confidence in technology.
- Hesitation often arises from experiences with tools that fail to align with industry needs or require extensive adjustments. Solutions tailored to construction workflows simplify this transition and build trust in the advantages of technology.
- Innovations like AI, robotics, and 3D printing address workforce shortages and inefficiencies, while data management tools enhance decision-making. However, with only 4% of construction data structured and accessible, better data integration is crucial to unlocking their potential.
- Investing in tools and processes that save time for high-value tasks helps companies achieve better results without increasing staff. Embracing tailored, efficient solutions enables greater productivity and improved outcomes.
More Details in This Episode…
About Steve Dell’Orto
Steve Dell’Orto is the founder and CEO of ConCntric, a preconstruction platform that is transforming the fractured preconstruction environment by unifying data, people, and processes. ConCntric acts as a single source of truth for all preconstruction stakeholders by providing a dynamic view of the project that ensures a certainty of outcome.
As a 26-year construction industry veteran who has lived and breathed the world of delivering preconstruction projects, Steve is uniquely positioned to bring digital transformation to the industry. Steve is the former executive officer of one of the largest privately owned domestic general contractors in the U.S., with revenues averaging $5-$6 billion annually.
As the executive officer, Steve led the major expansion of his former company’s Western Region, including the Northern California and Pacific Northwest divisions, achieving 10x growth and increasing margins by over 40% through a committed focus on selective work acquisition and a more comprehensive preconstruction process.
Some of the notable projects completed under Steve’s leadership include the Golden State Warriors Arena and Development, Salesforce Tower, Facebook’s San Francisco Park Tower, Seattle Convention Center Expansion, Manchester Grand Hyatt, LA County Museum of Art Expansion, and the LA Live Development, among many others.
Steve is committed to leveraging his 30 years in the industry to advance the level of innovation and technological advancement in the real estate and construction sectors, in addition to the change, he is driving through ConCntric.
Steve is an investor and venture partner in several construction-tech-focused venture capital funds, including Builders VC and Argonautic Ventures. Steve is also an advisor to eight emerging construction-tech-focused startups, bringing a wide range of solutions in areas such as autonomy, fintech, work acquisition, change order communication, project communication, marketplaces, and artificial intelligence.
Since launching ConCntric in 2021, Steve has built a dynamic global team and secured support from strategic and notable investors. Steve and his team are on a mission to make the built world more affordable, predictable, and sustainable, and they are uniquely positioned to transform the future for the construction and real estate industries.
About the Host: K. James Taylor, Jr., P.E.
James Taylor, Jr., P.E., is a licensed professional engineer and an associate vice president at Verdantas, an emerging environmental, engineering, and technical consulting company with a green, sustainable, and people-first approach in the foreground. James has over 17 years of experience in civil engineering in land development and municipal fields. Land development services include the design of subdivisions and site plans for compliance with local codes and ordinances, civil/site engineering, stormwater management, road design, and utility design. James has served as a project manager since 2018. In 2021, James was recognized with the Outstanding Project Manager Award at Duffield Associates (now Verdantas) for outstanding performance as a project manager and his consistent display of leadership traits valued by the company, including scheduling, management, proactive communication, collaboration, responsiveness, and client-focused service.
James was selected as the 2021 Young Engineer of the Year by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Delaware Section, and served as the President of the Delaware Engineering Society and the New Professionals Director on the NSPE Board of Directors from 2021-2023.
Sources/References:
ConCntric
McKinsey & Company
Connect with Steve Dell’Orto on LinkedIn
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We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you can share on how to ensure exceptional results in preconstruction.
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