The ConTechCrew – alt listing – see #12
The Builders Are Stuck in Admin Work, & It Is Killing Construction Productivity with Jennifer Hohman
Why It Matters
Construction is a $1.5 trillion U.S. industry where inefficiencies directly impact project costs and timelines, making any productivity boost economically significant. As AI and automation become more affordable, the sector faces a pivotal moment to catch up with other industries and unlock substantial savings and safety improvements.
Key Takeaways
- •Admin tasks drain builders’ time, reducing construction productivity.
- •Construction lags digital transformation, missing past cloud and SaaS adoption.
- •AI and LLMs now offer rapid efficiency gains for contractors.
- •Lack of clear software roadmaps hampers budgeting and ROI.
- •Cybersecurity mandates force construction firms to adopt IT/OT integration.
Pulse Analysis
The episode opens with Jennifer Hohman, CTO of Baker Construction, describing how excessive administrative work is throttling productivity on job sites. She explains that builders spend too much time on paperwork, approvals, and manual reporting, leaving less time for actual construction. As the largest privately‑held concrete contractor in the United States, Baker handles projects ranging from multi‑family towers to nuclear facilities, yet even a $3 billion‑scale firm feels the pinch. Hohman’s tech‑heavy background—from early Microsoft certifications to senior roles in oil and gas—gives her a unique lens on why construction still wrestles with legacy processes.
Because the industry skipped the cloud and SaaS wave of the past decade, many contractors are only now catching up. Hohman notes that this lag created a cost‑effective opening for artificial‑intelligence tools, large language models, and generative‑AI agents that can automate estimating, scheduling, and change‑order management. However, she also warns that vendors often present ‘innovation theater’ without transparent product roadmaps, leaving firms uncertain about future functionality and ROI. For a company spending millions on software licenses, clear timelines are essential to justify expenses and to ensure new tools actually lower costs, boost revenue, or protect margins.
The conversation shifts to security and the growing need for integrated IT/OT leadership. New federal mandates such as CMMC and FedRAMP push construction firms to enforce cybersecurity training and protect operational technology on sites. Hohman argues that without dedicated CTOs or CIOs, many companies rely on project managers who double as ad‑hoc IT staff, a model that cannot scale. By embedding technology experts within engineering and field teams, Baker aims to create a two‑way partnership with emerging AI startups, feeding real‑world data into product development while accelerating adoption. This collaborative approach promises to turn the current admin burden into a strategic advantage.
Episode Description
In this episode, host Jeff Sample sits down with Jennifer Hohman, Chief Information and Technology Officer at Baker Construction, for a practical conversation on how technology is shaping modern construction. Jennifer shares her path into the industry and brings a grounded perspective on aligning innovation with real-world project delivery.
The discussion focuses on how construction teams can adopt technology without losing sight of core operations. Jennifer highlights the importance of connecting digital tools with field execution, ensuring that solutions actually support crews on-site rather than adding complexity. From BIM to AI, the conversation explores what drives efficiency, where challenges still exist, and how to approach technology adoption with a clear strategy.
With a strong focus on workforce development, collaboration, and process improvement, this episode offers valuable insights for construction professionals working to deliver projects more efficiently while adapting to ongoing industry changes.
Key Takeaways:
Technology must align with field operations and project workflows
Strong processes are essential before implementing digital solutions
AI can support planning, training, and analysis, but requires human oversight
Avoid tech overload by focusing on tools that solve real project challenges
Investing in workforce development is critical for long-term project success
Timestamps:
[00:00] – Episode Teaser
[01:00] – Introduction and Jennifer’s background
[02:49] – Journey into construction technology
[11:52] – BIM and the shift to digital workflows
[12:41] – Connecting technology with field execution
[28:42] – AI in construction: practical applications
[40:22] – Final thoughts: process over technology
Follow Jennifer Hohman:
Website: https://www.jenniferhohman.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-hohman/
X: https://x.com/JennHohman
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.hohman
Website (Company): https://bakerconstruction.com/
LinkedIn (Company): https://www.linkedin.com/company/bakerconstruction/
Facebook (Company): https://www.facebook.com/BakerConst1968
Instagram (Company): https://www.instagram.com/bakerconst1968/
X (Company): https://x.com/BakerConst1968
Follow the Host:
Jeff Sample (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/ironmanofit/
Nathan Wood (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanaec/
Follow The ConTech Crew:
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