DLP Manager: A revolution for construction management
One of the most interesting things about startups is how they solve problems that seem trivial until you’re deep in the weeds. DLP Manager is a perfect example of this.
What Chris Polin, the founder, figured out is that the handover process in construction – the part where everything’s supposed to run smoothly after the main work is done – often doesn’t. And it’s a big problem.
The construction industry is a giant machine, but it grinds to a halt when project handovers are a mess. It’s the kind of pain point you don’t think about until you’re the one responsible for dealing with it. That’s exactly what happened to Chris.
After running into the same issues over and over – miscommunication, missing documentation, teams not aligned – he knew there had to be a better way. That’s how DLP Manager was born: a platform that simplifies and organises the entire handover process.
Here's Chris with his story on how it all happened.
How it all started: Fixing my own problems
Like many innovations, DLP Manager was born out of frustration. I spent years working in the construction industry, and I repeatedly encountered the same problems during the handover phase of projects.
I thought to myself that there had to be a better way to handle post-construction and handover management, but from what I could tell, it didn’t exist.
Miscommunication was rampant. Documentation was incomplete or, even worse, scattered across different platforms or lost altogether. Collaboration between contractors, clients, and consultants felt like herding cats.
The entire process was chaotic. There wasn’t one central platform where all stakeholders could see the same thing, at the same time, without confusion.
I felt this acutely, not just because I was experiencing the stress, but because I knew others were too. It was a structural problem—systemic inefficiency that needed a solution. So, I decided to build one. That’s how DLP Manager came to be.
Why DLP Manager is different
When I set out to create DLP Manager, I didn’t want to simply digitise what was already being done. I wanted to solve the underlying problem: poor coordination and incomplete visibility across projects.
Construction is complex enough without inefficiencies adding to the stress.
DLP Manager is a handover and post-construction platform designed to bring clarity. It’s a central hub where every document, every task, and every piece of communication lives—transparent and accessible to everyone involved in a project. The goal was simple: streamline the chaos.
By creating this platform, I was fixing my problem, and I was also fixing a problem the entire industry faces. This was more than incremental improvement. It was rethinking how construction professionals should approach project completion.
Finding the right support at Stone & Chalk
Building a platform from scratch isn’t easy, especially when you’re doing it while juggling the demands of the construction industry.
As the product started taking shape, I realised that I needed more than just a great platform. I needed strategic guidance, introductions to partners, and connections to clients who believed in the vision. That’s where Stone & Chalk came in.
I’ve been fortunate to call Stone & Chalk, down at 11 York Street in Sydney, my business home.
Stone & Chalk is workspace, but more than that, it's a community. For DLP Manager, joining this hub has been transformational. It’s given us a seat at the table with some of the brightest minds in the Proptech and ConTech spaces.
The value of being part of Stone & Chalk goes beyond the desks and the high-speed internet. It’s the people.
There’s something irreplaceable about the connections I’ve made here. I’ve been able to sit down with mentors who have navigated the exact challenges I face. I’ve met founders from other startups who have shared their hard-earned wisdom, helping me avoid pitfalls they’d already experienced.
The environment fosters collaboration, and that collaboration fuels growth.
A proud moment for DLP Manager
One of the most exciting things to come out of our time at Stone & Chalk has been our integration with Procore.
If you’re in construction, you probably know Procore. They’re a giant in construction management software. Integrating DLP Manager with Procore was a big achievement for us.
Our platform now syncs seamlessly with Procore, giving our users an end-to-end solution for managing not just the construction phase, but the often-overlooked handover and post-construction phases.
This is about creating a fully integrated workflow that reduces friction for construction professionals. The feedback from our users has been overwhelmingly positive. They no longer have to switch between tools or manually duplicate information. It all flows naturally, increasing productivity and reducing errors.
Looking back, this integration wouldn’t have been possible without the connections and support we found at Stone & Chalk. It’s a testament to the power of collaboration and networking in the startup ecosystem.
What's next for DLP Manager
We’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far, but we’re just getting started. The Australian construction industry is massive, and the need for an efficient handover and post-construction management platform is universal.
Our mission is to become the go-to platform for every construction business in Australia.
Right now, we’re focusing on scaling our operations nationally. We’ve already started conversations with key players in other states, and we’re building the infrastructure to support businesses no matter where they’re located.
But scaling is about more than just growing our user base, it’s continuously improving the product to meet the evolving needs of our users. We’re committed to listening, iterating, and innovating as we expand.
Our future plans also include expanding beyond Australia. The challenges we solve aren’t unique to one country. Construction professionals everywhere face the same issues when it comes to project handovers and post-construction management. While the immediate goal is national dominance, the global market is on the horizon.
Why that makes me excited
This is about building something lasting, something that changes the way an industry works. That’s what drives me. Every day, I see how DLP Manager is helping businesses streamline their operations, reduce errors, and ultimately deliver better projects. That’s what gets me out of bed in the morning.
The future is exciting, not just for DLP Manager but for the construction industry as a whole. Technology is transforming the way we build, and I believe we’re at the forefront of that transformation.
With the support of communities like Stone & Chalk and partnerships like the one we’ve formed with Procore, I’m confident that we’re building something that will have a lasting impact.
Get in contact with Chris Polin and DLP Manager
If you’re reading this and you work in construction, I’d love for you to reach out. Whether you’re curious about what DLP Manager can do for your business or you just want to chat about the future of construction technology, I’m always open to conversations.
You can find us online at our website or shoot me an email at cpolin@dlpmanager.com.au. You can also keep updated on our latest news by following DLP Manager on LinkedIn.
And if you’re interested in hearing more about the Proptech community at Stone & Chalk, take a look at what they’re doing. It’s an ecosystem full of innovation, and I’m proud to be part of it.
