But amid the innovation, another conversation surfaced repeatedly: execution. Across the show floor, in education sessions, and during informal conversations with builders and operations leaders, the same challenge kept coming up. The pace of growth across construction is accelerating, but the systems used to manage projects and decisions often haven’t caught up.
Jennifer Jones, Founder and CEO of 10xViz, saw that theme clearly in her discussions with attendees.“The conversations at IBS reinforced something we see across the industry: when builders gain clarity and visibility into their work, they unlock a new level of execution,” Jones said. “With the right systems and collaboration in place, teams can focus on what matters most — building great projects together.”
IBS showcased the newest tools and materials shaping residential construction. But behind every successful build lies something less visible: operational clarity.
Growth without visibility creates risk
During dozens of conversations at the show, builders consistently described a familiar scenario. Demand is strong, projects are moving quickly, and teams are expanding. Yet many organizations are still managing project updates, risk tracking, and reporting through fragmented processes.
Melissa McDonald, Engagement Manager at 10xViz and owner of The Smart PM, heard this challenge repeatedly while speaking with construction leaders.“After dozens of conversations with builders and construction leaders at IBS, one theme kept surfacing: Growth is accelerating, but visibility isn’t keeping up,” McDonald said.
The underlying issues appeared in different forms, but the patterns were remarkably consistent. Many teams described situations where project updates live in email threads or scattered spreadsheets. Leadership teams request weekly reporting that requires hours of manual preparation. Budget tracking lives in one system, while scheduling lives in another. Project templates vary widely across teams, and risk tracking processes often lack a consistent framework.
These challenges don’t simply create inconvenience. They affect decision-making. Without centralized visibility into schedules, budgets, and risks, leadership teams struggle to see the full picture of project performance. The delay can affect timelines, resource allocation, and ultimately margins.
“The result isn’t just inefficiency,” McDonald explained. “It’s slower decision-making and margin risk.”
Execution requires clarity
The conversations at IBS reflected an industry that is pushing forward quickly but still searching for better ways to manage complexity. Builders are managing more projects simultaneously, coordinating larger teams, and balancing cost pressures alongside demanding timelines.
As projects grow in scope and scale, clarity becomes a competitive advantage. When project information lives in multiple places, teams spend more time tracking updates than executing work. Leaders rely on outdated information. Small risks can compound before they are visible to decision-makers.
On the other hand, when builders have a centralized system for tracking progress, risks, and resources, they gain something powerful: the ability to act with confidence.
Clarity allows teams to identify problems earlier. It improves collaboration across departments. It also enables leadership to make faster, more informed decisions about project priorities and resource allocation. The shift from reactive management to proactive execution is where operational systems begin to transform outcomes.
Technology is part of the answer
IBS 2026 highlighted how technology is becoming an essential component of modern construction management. The new AI & Tech Studio, along with dozens of education sessions, explored how digital platforms are reshaping everything from project coordination to supply chain visibility. But technology alone doesn’t solve operational challenges.
Builders often adopt new platforms without fully aligning them with their internal processes. The result can be another tool added to an already complex environment.
What builders need most is not simply more technology but systems that bring their processes, data, and teams into alignment. That alignment allows teams to see the same information, work from consistent frameworks, and track performance in real time.
From insight to action
One of the most valuable outcomes of industry events like IBS is the opportunity to step back and compare experiences across organizations. Builders quickly realize that many of their operational challenges are shared across the industry. More importantly, they begin to see how other teams are solving them.
For organizations looking to strengthen their project visibility and operational clarity, the next step often begins with education and collaboration. That’s why the 10xViz team is continuing these conversations at the upcoming Efficiency Live Smartsheet Bootcamp, taking place April 14–16 in Loveland, Colorado. The event brings together professionals who want to build better operational systems using Smartsheet while focusing on real-world workflows, portfolio visibility, and scalable project management practices.
For builders and construction leaders who attended IBS and recognized these operational challenges, Efficiency Live offers a practical opportunity to turn insight into action.
If you’re looking to streamline project visibility, join the 10xViz team at Efficiency Live and learn practical solutions. For more details, visit https://10xviz.com/efficiency-live-bootcamp/
