Docketbook Turns 10

This week marks 10 years of Docketbook. It feels like the right moment to pause and reflect on how far we have come. We do not often take the time to do that, but this milestone deserves it.

I am in my mid-50s now and I can honestly say I have never worked harder or enjoyed my work more. The challenge of helping to transform the commercial backbone of one of Australia’s most change-resistant industries has been a rewarding experience. It has tested us, inspired us and kept us motivated for a decade.

From Naivety to Network

When I started Docketbook, it was a combination of optimism and inexperience. I assumed it would be obvious that paper dockets needed to go. Surely there was a better way than writing and retyping thousands of dockets every day just to prove work had been done. It turns out that replacing something so ingrained takes more than technology. It takes persistence, trust and a shared belief that there is a better way.

I will also freely admit that there was a heady mix of naivety and blind optimism powering us forward, but we knew that we had a strong idea, we knew that our value proposition made sense, but until someone decides to pay you money for your service, you only have an idea.

One of the earliest supporters of that belief was Australian Civil Haulage in Perth. They understood that dockets were not a problem one company could solve on its own. They had the courage to join us when the network was just one and their early faith helped build momentum, prove our value and inspired more subcontractors, clients and partners to come on board. To this day, we count Australian Civil Haulage as a client and partner.

The Turning Point

Interestingly, it was the impact of COVID that gave Docketbook its greatest boost. The industry was suddenly challenged to work differently. Sites became locked down, employees left head offices for working from home, teams became virtual and for whole industries where digitisation, working from home and remote access where impossible; the ground shifted in an instant.

Very quickly the benefits of digital workflows became clear. I still remember visiting one site that proudly showed me their innovation for paper docket collection. They had attached an inbox to a broomstick to keep their distance. It was a creative solution for a strange time.

In 2020, there were just two full-time Docketbook staff. This week, we welcomed our 13th team member and are moving into our own office. It is a very different company now. We have more experience, capability and focus, but our purpose remains the same: to make life easier for people on site and to strengthen the commercial backbone of construction.

Supported by Leadership

To our team, both past and present, thank you. You have helped build something real that makes a difference every day. From head contractors and project managers to the operators in the field, everyone plays a role in this ongoing change.

To our customers, especially those who joined us early, thank you for your belief and patience. The platform has come a long way, and your feedback has been vital in shaping it. A special mention goes to BMD Group for their early support, and to Coates and Heidelberg Materials for showing what can be achieved through strong supply chain collaboration.

Looking Ahead

Would I do it all again? There have been times when the answer might have been no. Any founder understands the challenges that come with the journey. But looking back now, the answer is a grateful yes. The moments that matter most are when we hear from someone on site saying that Docketbook makes their job easier. That makes all the effort worthwhile.

There is still plenty to do. Our network is expanding, our product is evolving, and our vision is as clear as ever. We want to continue building a more efficient, transparent and connected construction industry.

Ten years in, we are proud of what we have achieved and excited for what comes next.