How NV5 Rolled Out Construction Software From 5 Users to 50 PMs
NV5 grew from a 5-user pilot to a target of 50 project managers on INGENIOUS.BUILD. Here is how they drove adoption across a national team.
NV5 started with 5 users on INGENIOUS.BUILD and set out to bring 50 project managers onto it. This is how they ran the rollout: a small pilot, internal champions, a self-serve learning library and clear adoption metrics.
For why NV5 replaced Procore and Excel and the results they saw, read the main NV5 case study.
The challenge: from 5 users to 50 project managers
NV5 started with just 5 users on INGENIOUS.BUILD but needed to scale up to 50 project managers over the next three years. Ensuring consistency across projects, reducing errors and onboarding new users effectively were top priorities.
As firms expand their project portfolio, consistent processes across teams become paramount. Inconsistent workflows lead to communication breakdowns and duplication of effort, and those problems only compound as the workforce grows.
Start small and let early adopters lead
NV5 began with a small group of early adopters who could show the rest of the company what the platform saved them. The Operations Manager describes how that pilot turned into the rollout's best advocates:
"That tiny little pilot… two of them really took off… and are now supervisors… showing, 'You will save so much time.'"
That methodical rollout is what let one platform unify processes across an expanding team.
"Once things are set in place, it goes so fast—it's a no-brainer for growing companies."
Win over the skeptics with personal examples
Adopting new construction software often means overcoming internal resistance. Studies by Harvard Business Review indicate that up to 70% of change initiatives fail. NV5 tackled this with a phased approach and internal champions who showed quick wins.
By introducing INGENIOUS.BUILD to a small group first, NV5 could point to tangible benefits, like shorter task cycles and fewer spreadsheets, to persuade skeptics. As the Operations Manager puts it:
"Some PMs… they don't like change… but as soon as we had those personal examples… it definitely helped get everyone else on board."
Give new users a self-serve learning library
When integrating large teams, training and support can make or break an implementation. NV5 found INGENIOUS.BUILD's Learning Library indispensable for onboarding new project managers: its guided lessons became the go-to reference for getting started and for continued learning.
"The learning library is… something I probably don't shut up about to the PMs enough. Having those extra resources is really helpful."
Built-in guides and tutorials help new users grasp the platform quickly, which speeds up the return for a growing team.
Define what adoption success looks like
NV5 set key success metrics for the rollout, including the rate of project adoption, so progress was measured rather than assumed. The results they tracked:
- Projected growth: 30 users fully onboarded by year-end, with continued expansion.
- Optimized workflows: standardized processes across a growing national team.
- Enhanced efficiency: centralized project data and eliminated redundant software costs.
Consolidate on one platform
Construction firms often juggle multiple platforms, which leads to subscription overlaps and inefficiency. Centralizing on a single construction management platform reduces redundant software costs and complexity.
NV5's vision is to "completely move away from competitor software and anything that they've been using, and just move to [INGENIOUS.BUILD]," says the Operations Manager. By standardizing on one tool, the company expects to reduce operational overhead while improving team collaboration. NV5 manages more than 300,000 projects a year, and INGENIOUS.BUILD is built to grow with a team at that scale.
A sample INGENIOUS.BUILD project dashboard.
About NV5
NV5 provides expert consulting and project management services across industries including construction, urban planning and green energy, for real estate development and infrastructure projects.
Frequently asked questions
How do you roll out construction management software across a growing team?
NV5 started with a small group of early adopters who demonstrated the platform’s efficiency, used INGENIOUS.BUILD’s learning library to onboard new users, and defined success metrics such as the rate of project adoption. That took them from 5 users toward a target of 50 project managers.
How do you get project managers to adopt new construction software?
NV5 used a phased approach and internal champions who showed quick wins, such as shorter task cycles and fewer spreadsheets. Two pilot users became supervisors who showed others how much time it saved, and those personal examples helped bring skeptical PMs on board.
What training helps teams adopt construction software?
NV5 relied on INGENIOUS.BUILD’s Learning Library. Its guided lessons became the go-to reference for onboarding new project managers and for continued learning, helping users grasp new tools and workflows quickly.
Why consolidate construction teams onto one platform?
Juggling multiple platforms leads to subscription overlaps and inefficiency. NV5 aims to move away from competitor software and standardize on one tool, which it expects to reduce operational overhead, remove redundant software costs and improve collaboration across a growing national team.
