In this episode of the SureWorx Podcast, hosts Erin Khan and Nandan Thakar engage with Hamzah Shanbari, Director of Innovation at Haskell and author of Paperless Builders: The Why, What, and How of Construction Technology. Drawing from his book and years of experience, Hamzah offers a structured, people-centered approach to technology adoption in construction through his BUILDERS framework — a methodology designed to foster sustainable and scalable innovation in an increasingly digital industry. Below, we unpack Hamzah’s key insights and explore how applying his framework can enhance your ConTech strategy.
1. The BUILDERS Framework: A Strategic Blueprint for Tech Integration
Hamzah’s BUILDERS framework is a systematic approach that helps construction firms assess, adopt, and scale new technologies effectively. Each step—Benchmarks, Users, Implementation, Learning, Driver, Evaluation, Reporting, and Scaling—ensures that tech solutions align with both business goals and on-the-ground needs.
“The ‘U’ in BUILDERS is critical,” Hamzah explains. “If your end users aren’t engaged, the solution won’t succeed.”
Actionable Insight: Start by mapping out current workflows and identifying pain points (Benchmarks), then involve end users (Users) to ensure buy-in. Engaging users early creates a foundation for adoption and ensures the technology addresses real-world issues.
2. Prioritizing Problem-Solving Over “Shiny” Technology
In Paperless Builders, Hamzah emphasizes focusing on tech that solves specific construction challenges—like safety, communication, or project delays—rather than getting distracted by flashy trends. His approach ensures that tech investments lead to measurable improvements in productivity and efficiency.
“The goal is to solve real problems, not to adopt technology for technology’s sake,” Hamzah says.
Actionable Insight: Before investing in new tools, assess their potential impact on specific challenges. Ask yourself: Does this technology address an actual need? Staying focused on practical benefits helps avoid costly, ineffective tech implementations.
3. Cultivating an Innovation-Driven Culture
Hamzah believes that successful tech adoption requires an innovation culture that permeates all levels of the organization. He suggests creating “innovation champions” within different departments to drive engagement and promote tech-driven solutions.
“Innovation doesn’t belong to the IT team alone—it’s a company-wide mission,” Hamzah asserts. “We all have a role in advancing tech adoption.”
Actionable Insight: Empower employees across roles to contribute ideas for tech improvements. By promoting innovation champions, you’ll create a feedback loop that identifies practical tech needs and gains the necessary support for widespread adoption.
4. Embracing AI as an Enhancement, Not a Replacement
While AI is often seen as a game-changer, Hamzah’s perspective is refreshingly grounded. He sees AI as a valuable support tool for automating repetitive tasks, allowing workers to focus on complex decision-making and creative problem-solving.
“AI isn’t here to replace jobs; it’s here to augment human capabilities,” Hamzah emphasizes.
Actionable Insight: Treat AI as a tool to enhance efficiency rather than a direct replacement for human expertise. Consider starting with AI-driven solutions that tackle time-consuming tasks, such as project documentation, so teams can concentrate on high-value activities.
Conclusion
At SureWorx, we see the BUILDERS framework as a natural fit for companies looking to drive meaningful digital transformation without compromising project goals. By focusing on benchmarks, engaging end users, and scaling solutions responsibly, firms can achieve a balanced approach to innovation that’s both effective and sustainable.
Curious about how SureWorx can support your tech journey? Our platform is designed to foster collaboration, track progress, and streamline ConTech adoption at every stage. Contact SureWorx today to book a demo and learn how our solutions can help you apply these insights and lead your company to a smarter, safer construction process.
