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In Conversation with Paul Netscher, Top Construction Management Consultant

In Conversation with Paul Netscher, Top Construction Management Consultant


Do you know that managing labor, resources and allocating tasks is the biggest milestone for construction professionals? Moreover, with the pandemic, the construction industry is undergoing digital transformation, creating challenges and opportunities altogether.

So, we interviewed Paul Netscher, one of the renowned construction management consultants and writers in the industry. To shed some light how these technologies are bringing the best out of contractors and ensuring a streamlined process.


Who Did We Interview?


Bio Paul Netscher is a construction professional with 30 years of experience and author of several practical construction management books. He had worked in industrial, concrete, building, earthworks and infrastructure.



Let Us Quickly Get To Our Expert’s Point Of View.


Question 1: In the age of COVID-19, how do you see the construction industry in the year 2022? Do you think this year will be a “digital year” for construction professionals?


In 2022 many contractors are struggling to survive. The construction industry is facing several challenges, rising costs, and a shortage of materials and skilled people.


Contractors are slow to embrace technology, and when they do it’s not always used effectively, or it’s not the right technology. 2022 will be another year of gradual transition. Some leaders will lead the way, while the majority take years to change.


Question 2: The construction industry has undergone dynamic changes over the years. What do you consider as the biggest challenge for this industry now?


A lack of skilled and experienced people. Many construction companies fail to train and mentor people, hoping instead to find an experienced person waiting to be employed – of course these people aren’t available.


Unfortunately, we now get people with limited knowledge and experience leading inexperienced teams – which is a recipe for many of the problems that occur in construction today. Contractors must attract new people to the industry, then train and mentor them, while creating a safe and inclusive workplace.


Question 3: What potential do you see in the latest construction technology trends? Are they capable of boosting the productivity of construction professionals?


Technology cannot make a poor construction project manager good, but the right technology used by a good construction project manager can help them be more productive and efficient. Technology is not a panacea for all problems in the construction industry. It’s a tool.


And like any tool it must be right for the job, then you require a skilled and willing operator to use it productively to make a difference on projects.


Question 4: Where do you see the construction industry in the next five years? Please share your valuable insights with our readers.


There are many exciting new construction methods, materials, and technologies, but change will be slow unless the construction industry and clients collaborate and work together. We must do away with the current adversarial and winner takes all approach.


The industry is not sustainable when everyone is solely focused on price. New construction methods, materials and technologies must be used because they are the right product, not because they are the cheapest. Choosing products only because they are the cheapest will lead to mistakes, resulting in hesitancy to transform the industry further. We must make construction a better and safer place for everyone.

Get to Know Our InfluencerIn four words or less, what’s your prediction about the transforming construction industry?


I believe there’s only one term for digital transformation in construction and that is “slow”. Undoubtedly there is progress in technology adoption, but it's not at a pace.


What’s your success mantra?


Successful construction projects are built by a team. Teamwork helps overcome and prevent many common problems that occur on construction projects.


You are only as good as your team. It’s therefore important to train, mentor, and develop those working with you. A skilled and motivated team will make you stronger.


More Details


Paul Netscher has written some well-known books, which include ‘Successful Construction Management: The Practical Guide’ and ‘The Successful Supervisor and Foreman’, and ‘Construction Management from Project Concept to Completion’. His specialties include tendering, risk management, securing projects, project planning, contract variations, project management and more.


Tags Construction

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