Deconstructing digital

Episode 9: Digital on the Front Line: Supporting Subcontractors in Construction's Tech Shift

Written by Causeway | 26 Jun 2025

Subcontractors are often on the receiving end of digital transformation – expected to adopt new systems, processes, and platforms with little room to push back. But what does digital really look like from their side of the screen?

Joanna Brooker shines a light on the disconnect between high-level digital strategy and real-world adoption, and how that gap is affecting productivity, compliance, and engagement across the supply chain. We explore what happens when subcontractors are expected to juggle multiple client systems, why traditional training approaches often fall short, and how small changes in process design can make a big difference on site.

Topics covered:

  • Why digital transformation fails without frontline engagement
  • The impact of conflicting client systems on subcontractors
  • How to build trust and buy-in from site teams
  • The role of empathy, clarity and training in system adoption
  • What digital inclusion really means on the ground
  • How to simplify construction tech rollouts for SMEs

This conversation goes beyond the usual change management narrative. Joanna offers practical advice on what it really takes to drive digital adoption on the front line. It starts from building trust with site teams to designing intuitive tools that match real workflows, take it from someone who's seen it from both sides.