If you work in AV, you’re already seeing the shift. Projects today look very different than they did just a few years ago, as systems are no longer standalone installs but are instead connected across networks and expected to perform seamlessly from day one. The rise of cloud platforms, videoconferencing, and digital signage has only accelerated that complexity and raised expectations for both performance and delivery speed.

However, while the work itself has evolved, one critical part of the process has not kept up. Coordinating reliable project execution is still harder than it should be, and for many teams, it remains one of the most frustrating and time-consuming parts of delivering a project.

The gap between complexity and execution is growing

Despite this shift, many organizations still rely on manual, inconsistent processes to source labor, which creates friction at exactly the moment when efficiency matters most. In practice, this often means reaching out to multiple subcontractors, waiting on responses, negotiating availability, and hoping everything aligns in time to meet project deadlines.

For AV project managers and operations leaders, this gap shows up in daily operations. Teams lose valuable time coordinating labor, often scrambling to fill schedules at the last minute while lacking confidence in who will ultimately show up on-site. This uncertainty can lead to delays, rework, and strained customer relationships, all while teams are under pressure to reduce costs without sacrificing quality. It is no surprise that seventy-six percent of AV integrators say finding labor is their number one challenge, as this issue continues to limit both efficiency and growth.

Why the current model no longer works

The traditional subcontractor model was designed for a different era of AV work, one that involved simpler systems, more predictable timelines, and fewer dependencies across technologies. In today’s environment, that model introduces too much uncertainty and inefficiency to support the pace at which teams are expected to operate.

Projects now move faster, often span multiple locations, and require tighter coordination across stakeholders. Relying on fragmented communication and inconsistent availability creates delays and makes it difficult to scale operations effectively. The challenge is no longer just about finding labor but about finding a way to do so that is reliable, repeatable, and efficient enough to support modern AV demands.

A different approach to AV project execution

To keep up with the pace of today’s projects, many teams are rethinking how they source and manage labor. Instead of relying on manual outreach and unpredictable responses, they are moving toward a more streamlined model that allows them to submit a single request and have sourcing handled for them.

This shift reduces the amount of time spent coordinating labor, often saving meaningful time on each request, while also improving reliability by working with vetted professionals rather than unknown subcontractors. It also introduces greater transparency into pricing, allowing teams to pay for the actual hours worked instead of committing to flat day rates that may not reflect the scope of the job. Just as importantly, it provides confidence that coverage will be in place when needed, eliminating much of the uncertainty and last-minute scrambling that has historically defined the process.

What this means for AV leaders

As AV systems continue to evolve, operational models must evolve alongside them. The organizations that will be best positioned for the future are those that can match increasing technical complexity with greater operational efficiency, ensuring that they can deliver consistently without overextending their teams.

For AV leaders, this is not just about solving today’s labor challenges but about building a more scalable and dependable approach to execution. Those who adapt will be better equipped to take on more work, expand into new markets, and meet rising customer expectations without adding unnecessary friction to their operations. While projects will continue to grow more complex, the process of getting the right people on-site does not have to.

A simpler way forward

If your team is still spending too much time sourcing labor or dealing with uncertainty around coverage, it may be time to rethink the approach. There are now more efficient ways to execute projects more consistently across markets, reduce coordination overhead, and improve consistency across projects.

Ready to spend less time sourcing labor and more time delivering projects? See how LaborFlex helps AV teams scale project execution nationwide.