Most construction teams are sitting on valuable data, but turning it into clear, usable insight is still a challenge.


At Onware, we’ve always believed construction gets better when teams can actually access and understand their data. That’s the core of what construction BI should deliver. What’s working, what’s not, and how information flows through projects shouldn’t be buried in systems or spreadsheets.

Hard Hats & Data Chats is a new podcast hosted by Fraser Gallop (Tableau Ambassador and CEO of Onware) and Steve Gross, VP of Client Solutions at Computer Guidance Corporation. It explores the intersection of construction, business intelligence, and the systems behind the scenes.

Each episode is a practical conversation about how contractors are using data in the real world. The good, the messy, and everything in between.

This is about connecting the data you already have to better decisions on site, in the office, and across your business. 

Episode 1: The Value of Data

In the first episode, Fraser and Steve dig into a familiar challenge: turning everyday operational data into something you can actually use.

They get into:

  • Why ERPs capture everything, but accessing it is still a pain
  • How spreadsheet workflows slow things down and create version issues
  • What happens when reporting lags behind what’s happening on site

They also share real examples. Month-end WIP headaches, and what changed when one team moved from nightly to twice-daily data updates.

It’s a practical look at what it takes to move toward being a data-driven construction company.

Listen here:

What’s Coming Next

Six more episodes are already in the queue, releasing every two weeks. Topics include:

  • You Already Have the Data
  • What Customers Are Really Looking For
  • Where Things Go Wrong
  • The Real Challenges (and How to Work Through Them)
  • Success Stories: What Good Looks Like
  • The Future of Construction Data

And this is just the beginning.

Bringing More Voices to the Table

One of our goals is to make this podcast a platform for the people shaping the industry. In future episodes, we hope to include:

  • Construction operations and finance leaders
  • Industry innovators and technology partners

These conversations will help broaden the perspective and highlight real‑world stories from the field.

Why We Started This Podcast

Construction is full of sharp people doing complex work. But conversations about data often stay buried in systems, reports, or technical language. We want to change that.

Our mission with Hard Hats & Data Chats is simple: Get more people talking about data in construction—how they use it, where they struggle, and how it can help them build better.

If we can spark new ideas, demystify the tech, and make data feel a little less intimidating, then we’re doing our job.

Connect with our hosts on LinkedIn:

All episodes will be published here as they are released.