Why Construction Tech Keeps Missing the Mark — and How to Fix It
Despite the explosion of construction technology options, many companies are still frustrated by tools that create more problems than they solve.
On this episode of Construction Trailblazers, Tyler Campbell, founder of Field Proof, shares why so many tech solutions fail field teams — and what needs to change.
Drawing from over a decade in the commercial construction industry, Tyler breaks down the hidden reasons behind bad tech adoption, the cost of ignoring field feedback, and the practical steps leaders and developers need to take to improve operations.
Top Takeaways from This Episode:
Construction tech often misses the mark because it’s built without real-world field feedback.
User experience (UX) must be simple, intuitive, and fast for jobsite success.
Field professionals want to give feedback — but most companies don’t ask in the right way.
Leaders need to stop blaming field crews for tech resistance and start making smarter decisions.
Tech Without Field Input Creates Hidden Costs
Too often, construction tech is built by developers who have never stepped onto a jobsite. Without real-world input from superintendents, foremen, and field teams, new platforms miss the critical nuances of daily workflows.
This disconnect leads to wasted millions: companies invest in tools that require messy workarounds, create duplicate data entry, and ultimately cause more delays than efficiencies. Tyler argues that without early field testing and honest feedback, tech companies are building "concepts" — not solutions.
If your crews are spending hours navigating clunky systems, you're not saving time — you're losing it.
User Experience Isn’t a Luxury — It’s a Necessity
In construction, speed matters. Crews don't have time for confusing apps, endless logins, or complicated workflows.
Tyler highlights how user experience (UX) often gets ignored in favor of flashy dashboards or executive-facing data features.
But if a product isn’t fast, intuitive, and seamless, it simply won’t be adopted — no matter how "insightful" the reporting sounds.
Field teams need tools that feel as natural as grabbing a hammer or checking a clipboard: quick, reliable, and easy to learn without a manual.
Great UX isn't a bonus feature. It's the foundation for tech success in the field.
Field Teams Need a Voice in Tech Decisions
The myth that "field teams just hate new technology" has to die.
Tyler makes it clear: field workers aren't resistant to change — they're resistant to bad tech that wastes their time.
Frontline crews see firsthand where bottlenecks happen, but many companies don’t create clear channels for them to share structured, actionable feedback.
Without feedback loops, developers end up guessing — and leaders waste money on platforms that don't fit the real needs of their teams.
Building tech with the field instead of for the field is the only way to create lasting adoption.
Leadership Decisions Can Make or Break Tech Adoption
One of the hardest truths Tyler addresses: sometimes leadership is the biggest barrier to better tech.
Too often, executives choose software based on brand recognition, office conveniences, or marketing hype — without evaluating if it actually works for field operations.
In fact, many companies accept known shortcomings just because "everyone else uses it," setting their teams up for frustration from day one.
To truly drive operational improvement, leaders must stop defaulting to the most popular option — and start selecting tech that aligns with how their teams actually work in the field.
Good leadership listens before it buys.
The Bigger Picture: Construction Needs a Higher Tech Standard
Fixing construction tech isn't just about getting flashier apps — it’s about creating tools that respect the reality of fieldwork.
Companies like Field Proof are paving the way by building feedback-driven innovation that works with the industry, not against it.
If you're serious about operational excellence, it's time to demand better — from your tech providers, your leadership team, and even your own decision-making processes.
🎧 Want the full conversation? Listen to the full episode here.