Through years of walking the halls and listening to conversations, it’s surprised George that the biggest change isn’t the tech itself, but the people. Once cautious and sceptical, they’re now curious, confident and driven. At this year’s DCW, it became clear: the industry isn’t just adopting digital. We’re embracing a whole new way of thinking.
A decade of change
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Digital Construction Week. A decade of ideas, innovation and immense transformation across our industry. As I walked through the exhibition halls, spoke with familiar faces and new ones, and joined conversations on and off stage, one thing became incredibly clear: the construction industry hasn’t just dipped its toes into the world of digital. It’s stepping in with purpose.
I still remember the earlier years of DCW. There was a buzz, sure, but it was mixed with scepticism. Technology was often seen as a cost rather than a catalyst. People were curious but hesitant, wondering whether digital tools could solve real on-site problems or just add another layer of complexity.
For many contractors, it felt safer to stick with what they already knew: spreadsheets, emails and whiteboards. Even if it meant inefficiencies and missed opportunities.
The shift from scepticism to strategy
Fast forward to today, and the sentiment has clearly shifted. That scepticism has matured into caution. Not about whether to adopt technology, but which technology to choose.
Construction professionals are asking better questions. They’re evaluating platforms not just on features, but on outcomes. They want to know:
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How do these tools integrate with existing workflows?
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How do they support teams on site and in the office?
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How do they help manage risk? Because that’s what really matters.
Real talk: the Kori Construction story
This shift was at the heart of the panel discussion I joined during DCW this year. I had the privilege of sitting alongside Tony from Procore, Alastair from ProcurePro and one of our brilliant clients, Jordan from Kori Construction.
We unpacked Jordan’s journey into digital transformation. From cautious beginnings to full commitment.
Jordan was refreshingly honest. Like many in his position, he felt the intense pressure that today’s contractors face. Razor-thin margins, growing project complexity and the constant challenge of delivering more with less.
But instead of reacting defensively, Kori made a conscious decision to embrace technology in a strategic, phased way. They didn’t chase buzzwords or jump at shiny new apps. They took the time to:
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Understand their business needs
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Align technology with their people
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Build internal confidence through small, meaningful wins
From tools to transformation
It was clear from Jordan’s story that the contractors finding success today are those who see technology not as a cost-cutting tool, but as a strategic asset.
They understand that digital transformation isn’t just about working faster. It’s about working smarter. It’s about unlocking visibility, creating accountability and proactively managing risk using data, not gut instinct.
We also talked about the tech stack. Not just having tools, but having the right tools. Ones that talk to each other, feed data between systems and reduce duplication.
The best outcomes happen when tech is implemented with purpose, not pressure. And we agreed: the biggest transformation isn’t in the software. It’s in our mindset.
The real headline
And that, to me, is the real story of DCW’s 10th year.
It’s not just the advances in machine learning, robotics or digital twins, although those are incredible.
It’s the fact that our industry, once notoriously slow to change, is now filled with people driving that change.
Project managers who used to scribble notes on paper are now managing workflows through integrated dashboards.
Business leaders who once dismissed data are now asking how to use it to spot issues before they become problems.
Teams who once resisted tech are now saying, “Why didn’t we do this sooner?”
That hunger to evolve is more visible than ever, and it’s only growing.
Looking ahead: AI and what’s next
One area I’m particularly excited about is the rise of artificial intelligence in construction.
We’re already seeing early-stage applications:
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AI-assisted planning and forecasting
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Automated document reviews
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Risk detection and mitigation
But this is just the beginning.
Of course, there were some heated debates during our panel around whether AI will one day replace us. No firm conclusions yet. But don’t worry, we’ll have an answer for you by 2035.
DCW’s role in the journey
Digital Construction Week has played a huge part in getting us to this point.
Over the past decade, it’s become a platform not just for product demos, but for real dialogue.
It brings together people from all sides of the industry. Clients, contractors, consultants and tech providers. And it gives us space to reflect, share and push each other forward.
As I walked the floor this year, spoke with people at stands and reconnected with peers over coffee, I couldn’t help but feel proud of how far we’ve come.
This is no longer a fringe conversation. It’s central to how we move forward as an industry.
As we look ahead to the next 10 years, one thing is certain. We’re only just getting started.
About the author
George Smithies is a Chartered Civil Engineer who spent years on site, grappling with the limitations of early digital tools that were often more burden than benefit. He saw firsthand how clunky systems created friction, slowed teams down and led to data silos. That’s why he co-founded innDex with a clear ambition to push the construction industry forward through smarter, more connected and purposeful technology.