Thursday 25 January 2018

7 Signs you need Construction Management Software

7 Signs you need Construction Management Software 



Are you using construction management software? These 7 signs can show you how it can transform the way you deliver construction projects. The nature of the construction industry is changing as technology and materials drive different challenges. In today's environment profit margins are down, compliance increases and the need to streamline every task is a constant battle.Technology has changedthe way we do things. Automate time consuming processes and procedures that make your life as a project manager easier. You may think how isthat going to help you on a construction project. But, there are manyways you can digitize work processes and procedures to speed up the workand cut costs.
If you relate to any of the following, maybe it is a sign you need to invest in construction management software.

Common construction project challenges

When work is frustrating, fraught with never-ending challenges, you need to
rethink the way you do things. You need construction management
software. Here are some common challenges construction projects face
every day:
  • Difficulties tracking the schedule. Are you still using spreadsheets to setup work schedules?
  • Lack of consistency for verifying finished work.
  • There
    is no way of tracking potential issues. This can result in major
    project hold ups because you find out too late to avoid the
    consequences.
  • Team members rely on
    outdated information and documents. There is no central system for team
    members to access the latest information as they work.
  • No record of who did what on the project.
  • There is only an Excel spreadsheet to show a client how the project is tracking.
  • Key project milestones come and go without completion.
  • Using different software for different parts of the project without them being linked together.
  • Costs keep going up or there are penalties for missed milestones.
If you relate to any or all these, then it is time to install construction
software to help you stay ahead to deliver on time and on budget.
Construction management software is a good long-term investment for the
business.

More data to track

Modern technology, designs and processes in construction delivery means there
is more data to track. With the advancement of building technology, it
is more important than ever to keep up with changes. This is far easier
to achieve by deploying industry specific software that helps manage all
aspects of your construction project. It should also act as a central
storage system for all project documents, meaning everyone has easy
online access 24/7. This then links in to the overall project schedule,
where anyone can run an analyze to see the impact of changes.

Lack of transparency

Using old project management techniques can mean your project progress has a
lack of transparency. It takes good analysis from before you start
building to after completion to achieve success. Good construction
management software gives you real-time tracking of tasks and
activities. This makes it easy to see how each project is progressing so
you can keep it moving trouble free.

 Scheduling work and tasks

Having trouble keeping track of who is doing what? Construction project management software
takes care of work schedules. At a click of the mouse you can assign
tasks, budgets, and timelines to your team. Construction software can
alert and solve any issues with things like the unavailability of
equipment, shortage of warehouse space, missing equipment, staff
shortages and miscommunication. Using construction management software
is a faster way to manage construction projects. It can make life
stress-free.

Drowning in disorganization

Are you drowning in disorganization doing things the old way? You keep
missing milestones and have no idea how the project is tracking. Is this
costing the company in penalties for not completing milestones on time?
It
is time to get organized. Use construction management software to put
your life and project back on track. It will give your project a
structure with a detailed schedule of tasks, a budget and completion
dates. When a process finishes or changes, everyone involved gets
notified with automatic updates. There are so many people involved in a
construction project – architects, subcontractors, designer, suppliers
and stakeholders. Project software gives everyone the information they need to complete tasks on time and on budget.

Poor cost estimates

When you find your cost estimates fall short there must be a better way.
Using technology takes the guesswork out of costing. It helps to manage
the budget, cost changes, extra costs and any cost cutting.
Construction management software can do all this and more. It can resolve, generate
and submit invoices when setup to do this automatically.
Construction projects work on tight budgets, so you cannot afford to make financial
mistakes. These can be disastrous for a project resulting in costing the
bottom line money. Construction software tracks accounts payable and
receivable, and maintains your financial data securely.

 Moving to the cloud

No longer do you have the security or management issues of databases.
Construction project management software moves everything to the cloud.
This means that when you update something it updates across all views.
Everyone with permission can view information permanently stored in the
cloud. All they need is a smartphone or suitable device.
So, now is the time to change from the old way of doing things if you do not already use construction management software.Tags:

Construction Task and Project Tracking | Construction Project Management Software - Raptorpm

Construction Task and Project Tracking | Construction Project Management Software - Raptorpm: onstruction task and project tracking is challenging at the best of times. There are so many moving parts in a construction project that even one missed task can impact the whole project plan. This can be challenging and made more so without the right use of tools.

Construction task and project tracking is about putting the project manager firmly in control. So, how do construction project managers organize all the moving pieces of a project into one unified plan?

Well, it's a combination of experience, skill, knowledge  and using project management tools.
How often to do you find your construction project running over time or budget? Without the right tools, it is impossible to keep track of all you need to do. At every stage of a construction project, milestones and budgets need close monitoring to ensure you stay on track. Schedules need regular updating and compared to the baseline schedule over and over again during a project.
This is where the use of construction project management software could prove invaluable. It should make construction task and project tracking easy., plus using the right tools takes the stress out of keeping construction projects on track.

Here are some of the things construction task and project tracking tools can do for you.

 

Manage project changes

Regardless of the construction project, there are always changes. Change orders if not executed correctly and on time, can be costly. And, when they get lost in the system it can cause serious hold ups to a project. Time is money – remember. Using software that tracks change orders from start to the billing cycle removes this risk from your project.
Subcontractors usually need input into change orders, so storing them in central database for them to access makes it easy. All they have to do is log in to make their changes to the price or submit invoices or updated plans and drawings. These are tracked online with easy access for all involved in the change process. One less thing for a project manager to worry about unless the system alerts to a problem.
The same goes for the general contractor. Construction task and project tracking software can simplify the interactions between them and the stakeholders. The system submits change orders for approval and reduces the time it takes to get things signed.

 

Better time management

Without an ability for transparent construction project tracking you run the risk of running out of time. You can lose so much time can if you are not on top of everything. Staff waiting for materials, change orders, plans, tools, equipment and instructions are a huge cost to a project if not kept under control.
Use construction project tracking so employees out on the site can enter time-card information while on the job. This gives you the tool to track work productivity daily against the schedule. You can assign the work to the relevant cost code to alert to a billing status.
This provides you with a clear picture of how the project is tracking. It also gives you the information required to make decisions, assign work tasks and quote on future projects.
Construction project tracking means you can see the productivity of your workers. With this information, you make the right decisions.

 

 

Identify potential problems

Construction task and project tracking will help you to identify potential problems as part of a risk matrix. There can be things like having the right materials on site at the right time, meeting deadlines for inspections and sign offs or even trouble getting the right equipment to the site. All these have the potential to block a construction project’s progress.
Your software can track these by implementing the right tool so the relevant people go through a submittal process so you can avoid the problems. It need to be set up correctly so it functions for your projects. But, you may need field such as the ‘required on site date’ so everyone is aware of turnaround times.
Because an approval process goes through several people there can be places where it gets held up. Your project tracking software can show you where in the process it is held up.

 

Make punch lists visible

The dreaded construction punch lists. Track a project’s punch list right from the start. The project cannot finish until you complete everything on it. These can be cause for much loss of sleep and stress. When a punch list is not clear it can cause misunderstandings and delays to completing the project.
Use the punch list tools to make a specific list of the what needs completing and how to do it. This type of feature in your toolbox should be mobile compatible and easy to use from a handheld device. Make it interactive so those responsible for completing punch list tasks can make notes against each one. They can even record whether there is an impact to the budget or timeline. Once the system has timelines against tasks, the system sends reminders at appropriate intervals.
This is just a small snapshot of what construction task and project tracking can do for you. When are you going to give your project managers the tools they need for success?
Talk to the experts. Find out how construction project management software can boost your profits with no more missed deadlines.project management