Cochran’s Estimating Journey: From Clickers to AI – A Conversation with Cari Dodson

In the constantly evolving world of technology and construction, adaptability is the lifeblood of success. Few know this better than Cari Dodson, Chief Estimator for Cochran Technologies, who has been with the company for nearly 20 years. Her career path, which began as an apprentice out of high school, mirrors Cochran's transformation. Both have navigated and embraced technological changes, reshaping how projects are estimated and executed.

A Career Built on Adaptation and Innovation

Cari’s introduction to construction came early, and her electrician father influenced her. “I started as a summer job, and it just stuck,” she recalls. “It was fun, and it allowed me to use some of the technological skills I learned in school.” Upon entering the industry, what struck her was how traditional many processes still were. “Back then, people were faxing material orders, and everything was done on paper,” she remembers. “I had just come out of high school, where we were already using computers extensively, so it was shocking to see how behind the industry felt.”

This technological disparity drove her transition from the field to the office. Cari became a key advocate for modernizing Cochran’s processes. “I remember suggesting we use email instead of faxing, or copy and paste for labeling instead of doing everything manually,” she laughs. “It was those small changes that, at the time, made a huge difference.” These innovations didn’t just improve efficiency; they helped lay the groundwork for an entire generation of tech-driven improvements in how Cochran approached estimating and project management.

“Technology just allows us to do it faster, with fewer errors... but the fundamentals of estimating are still the same.”

– Cari Dodson, Chief Estimator, Technologies

The Estimator’s Toolkit: From Paper to Precision

When Cari talks about the role of an estimator today, it’s clear how far the profession has come. “In the early days, I’ve heard stories of people using clickers to count project components from blueprints,” she says, marveling at how estimators would painstakingly go through plans with physical tools. “Now, we’ve moved from that to using advanced software, and the promise of AI is on the horizon.”

However, even with these changes, Cari emphasizes that the core of the estimating process remains the same. “At the end of the day, it’s still about understanding the scope of a project and capturing all the details,” she explains. “Technology just allows us to do it faster, with fewer errors.” That speed has come with its own challenges, though. “The faster the tools allow us to work, the more our customers expect us to turn things around quickly,” she adds. “It’s a constant balance between efficiency and maintaining the accuracy and quality of our work.”

Mistakes in estimating can be costly, especially in construction. “One missed detail could lead to a massive financial overrun,” Cari notes. “That’s where technology really helps—it minimizes the chance for human error.” But it’s not just about efficiency; technology has also broadened what estimators can capture in their process, allowing for more complex projects to be handled with precision.

Looking to the Future: AI and Beyond

As technology advances, Cari clearly states that Cochran must stay ahead of the curve. “The next big thing is AI,” she says. “If we’re not proactive in learning and implementing AI in our estimating processes, our customers will expect us to use it, and we’ll be left behind.”

AI has the potential to revolutionize estimating by automating more of the data analysis, helping estimators like Cari focus on the broader strategy. “Right now, we’re just scratching the surface,” she says. “But I see a future where AI can help us optimize material use, predict project challenges, and maybe even negotiate pricing in ways we can’t yet imagine.”

That said, Cari is also cautious about the pitfalls of rapid technological adoption. “There’s always a shiny new tool,” she explains. “But not every tool works for every project or customer. The challenge will be adapting to these new technologies while maintaining consistency and quality.”

The Importance of Consistency and Collaboration

Cari’s leadership in Cochran’s Technologies group isn’t just about pushing for innovations; it’s also about ensuring that the tools they adopt work seamlessly across teams and projects. “I want my team to have consistency,” she says. “That way, anyone can step in if needed, and there’s no need to relearn different systems for different customers.”

This desire for consistency stems from her experiences working with major clients like Microsoft, Amazon, and Seattle-based companies. “Every customer does things slightly differently,” she notes. “Whether it’s using Teams, Zoom, or some other tool, we’re constantly adapting. That’s why it’s so important to have a unified way of doing things within Cochran.”

One of her key goals as Chief Estimator is ensuring every team member has the tools they need and understands how to use them effectively. “It’s amazing how often I’ll show someone a tool that’s been around for years, and they’ll have no idea it exists,” she says. “There’s a real opportunity to get everyone on the same page and working as efficiently as possible.”

A Vision for Cochran’s Future

Cari is excited about where Cochran is headed as she looks to the future. “I want Cochran to continue growing, taking on more of the industry, and staying competitive,” she says. “I’m a competitive person, and I want us to be the best at what we do. I want people to choose Cochran because we have the best jobs, the best customers, and the best reputation.”