Technology should make the project easier to understand — And easier to deliver

OCS Influencer John Kenney says the real value of technology is not replacing judgment, but giving experienced people better information and a better way to deliver the project.

Technology is changing how pool and outdoor projects are designed, sold and managed. Drones, digital modeling, artificial intelligence, smart controls and connected equipment are becoming more common across the industry. But after decades of working with construction businesses, I believe contractors need to keep one question in front of every technology decision: Does this actually improve the project for the customer and the company? Technology has tremendous value when it helps people make better decisions. It becomes much less valuable when it is being used simply because it is new.

Digital visualization is a good example. Outdoor projects can be difficult for customers to picture from drawings, measurements and material samples alone. A pool may be only one component of a much larger environment that includes patios, outdoor kitchens, landscaping, lighting, fire features and entertainment areas. Three-dimensional modeling and other visualization tools allow customers to see how those pieces relate before construction begins. That can improve the sales presentation, but I think its greater value is reducing misunderstandings. A customer who clearly understands what is being proposed is better positioned to make decisions about layout, finishes, features and budget. Changes made on a screen are generally easier to manage than changes made after construction begins.

The best technology doesn't just help you sell the project. It helps you define the project. Drones can provide another useful layer of information, particularly on larger properties where contractors need to document existing conditions, understand site relationships or communicate project progress. Artificial intelligence is also beginning to help contractors with communication, documentation and repetitive administrative work. I see value there, but I do not view AI or any other digital tool as a replacement for experienced people. A computer can generate options. It cannot walk the property, understand every drainage concern, recognize the customer's priorities or take responsibility for whether the finished project works. That still requires judgment.

The same principle applies after the project is completed. Smart pool technology has moved well beyond simply turning lights on from a phone. Modern control systems can manage pumps, filtration schedules, heaters, lighting and other equipment, while some systems provide monitoring and alerts that help owners better understand what is happening with their pool. There are really two benefits here. The first is convenience. Customers gain greater control over how and when systems operate.
The second is efficiency. Equipment such as variable-speed pumps can operate at lower speeds when full output is not required, which can reduce energy use and operating costs compared with running continuously at one fixed speed. That is where technology becomes more than a feature. It becomes part of the long-term operating value of the project.

But smart equipment also creates another responsibility for contractors. Don't sell technology customers will never use. I've seen this throughout construction. Companies sometimes become so focused on offering the newest features that they forget to ask whether those features solve a problem for the customer. Some homeowners will want complete automation. Others may need only programmable equipment and straightforward controls. The right solution depends on how the pool and outdoor space will actually be used. Contractors should explain both the capabilities and the limitations.

The same discipline should apply internally. Technology can help contractors prepare presentations, estimate projects, communicate with customers and document progress. But adding more software does not automatically make a company more efficient. I've always believed you should fix the process first and then use technology to strengthen it. If estimating information is incomplete, putting it into better software does not make it accurate. If the handoff from sales to production is weak, another application will not solve the communication problem by itself

Technology works best when it supports a defined process. I think that is where the greatest opportunity exists for outdoor and pool contractors. Use visualization to help customers understand what they are buying. Use digital information to improve planning and communication. Use automation where it creates measurable convenience or efficiency. Use AI to reduce repetitive work and help people access information faster. But keep experienced people making the important decisions. Customers are not hiring technology to build their backyard. They are hiring a contractor they trust to turn an idea into something that works. The real value of technology is not replacing judgment. It is giving experienced people better information, better tools and a better way to deliver the project.