Construction management software allows companies to increase sales while keeping an eye on waste and cost. Streamlined project management software built for the construction industry is changing how organizations work with clients, stakeholders, and teams.
In an industry with numerous moving parts and changes occurring at any given moment, construction project management requires software that can adapt to an evolving environment. Construction management software supports efficiency in the office and the field by keeping teams better connected through a unified project platform tailored to a construction business' specific needs.
In addition to organizing teams, information, and documentation, construction project management software helps managers and leaders better understand how to deliver high-quality outcomes faster than before.
Let’s discuss some of the benefits that construction project management software brings to organizations through optimizing internal processes, boosting productivity, and aligning teams throughout the duration of any given project.
What is Construction Project Management Software?
Construction project management software is a digital tool that provides construction companies an effective way to continuously track and improve project processes such as planning, coordination, and implementation. Construction project management software aims to streamline activities to deliver projects on time and according to the project scope.
There are several different types of projects in the construction industry. For example, the resource requirements for residential, commercial, industrial, highway, institutional, and civil construction projects will widely differ. That’s why today’s top construction project management platforms are also customizable so that users can take on projects of any size and complexity.
Construction project management software serves as a singular system capable of processing numerous tasks, facilitating asynchronous communication, and effectively coordinating teams.
Construction Project Management Challenges
Each industry faces its own challenges, and the construction industry is no exception. As one of the industries slowest to adopt digital project management tools and technologies, construction companies have many issues that construction project management seeks to solve.
Here are a few of the most significant project management challenges for large construction firms, small construction companies, and construction managers alike:
Lack of communication
Lack of accountability
Lack of stakeholder feedback
Loosely defined goals
Risk management issues
Vague scope
Meeting stakeholder and client expectations
Fortunately, a robust construction project management platform can help improve these areas for a more efficient organization.
Construction leaders and project managers might be cringing at the idea of adding another piece of software to their construction management stack. Still, PM software built for the construction sector aims to unify teams and provide simplified collaboration, document sharing, and other integrations.
Benefits of Construction Management Software
When organizations get stuck in a rut using the same tried and true methods, including old school data entry, numerous spreadsheets, and projects that consistently run over budget, it’s time to try something new.
A digital construction management solution can automate tedious manual processes to save time, money, and talent for reaching other project goals. What's more, construction management software creates a centralized space for management, communication, stakeholder collaboration, and more, all while increasing positive outcomes.
Whether your construction company is new to project management and construction management software or you haven’t yet unlocked the potential of your existing program, here are the benefits of using construction management software to inspire you:
Real-time communication
Communication is a hot-button issue for construction teams across the world. And 25% of organizations lack the technology to streamline collaboration, according to a recent study from Wellingtone. It can seem impossible to communicate effectively in an industry that requires so many team members, managers, contractors, suppliers, and resources across several locations.
Construction project management software changes how teams can communicate with each other, stakeholders, and other key decision-makers for projects with a unified platform for construction project managers.
Real-time communication and collaborative capabilities help improve the planning and coordination of construction operations. Construction PM software also allows external stakeholders to connect with project managers to provide clarity and set realistic expectations.
Accounting and financial management
Budgeting often requires the most attention from construction teams. For example, an incorrect estimate can cause issues from the outset, and improper planning can lead to excess waste and excess costs. That’s why accounting, risk, and cash flow management are one the top benefits of implementing digital construction software.
Project managers can easily monitor spending allowing organizations to minimize costs and maximize profits with budget management tools through construction PM software. A centralized database built for construction project managers can address automating materials and labor costs, developing standard proposals, and integrating analytics to improve the estimate process.
Resource management
Construction companies use numerous resources that often come from all over the world. Managing resources, overstock, and waste is intricately connected with revenue outcomes. Aligning resource needs with budgets and customer expectations is not a simple task, requiring special attention, equipment, and knowledge.
Not only does construction management software streamline the procurement, ordering, tracking, and delivery process, but it can also check whether or not your resource usage matches up with original estimates. And it can even help project managers identify if there is a way to optimize project processes in the future.
Improved productivity
Managing the productivity of countless teams is virtually impossible with spreadsheets, emails, and endless phone calls. Construction managers all have their own process for motivating their teams and creating a more productive environment.
Project management software built with construction teams in mind gives managers the ability to manage numerous processes while still allowing for the flexibility to do what works best for teams, contractors, and time constraints at a moment's notice.
Manual processes such as calling contractors, reviewing project timelines, and managing workloads take up an extraordinary amount of time. Project managers can now automate their tedious tasks and facilitate asynchronous communication to improve productivity with little extra effort.
Document sharing and control
Reporting, data storage, and standardized documents must be available to the appropriate team members when needed. Any later and costly bottlenecks are right around the corner.
Construction project management software makes it easy to share documentation across teams, contractors, shareholders, executives, and anyone who needs access to crucial project documents and plans.
When document control systems are centralized, companies gain a competitive edge. That’s why having a secure and accessible way for project managers to control documentation is critical for teams that want to see business expansion long-term.
Customizable specifications
When construction teams say that they don’t want to move away from manual processes in favor of streamlined digital tools, they really mean that they like their way of managing procedures. They don't want to adopt a whole new system that will affect operations negatively.
The nature of construction management software is that it is highly customizable so that it blends in seamlessly with your business values and management style. Since it can be tailored to meet specific industry and company needs, construction project managers can expect faster deployment time, faster company growth, and better process optimization with customization and transparency.
Better organization
Finally, one of the most overlooked benefits of using construction project management software is that it gives companies the ability to organize large amounts of information, complicated processes, and complex task management.
Project managers face endless streams of information vital to project outcomes. Project management software for construction firms allows companies to store field notes, track expenses, organize contracts, and have access to the essential information that at the moment is necessary.
Companies catching the back end of the digital transformation wave may feel overwhelmed with customer expectations, industry setbacks, rising costs, and the widespread use of innovative digital construction tools. To continue building a successful construction firm one project at a time, project managers need updated tools to communicate more effectively.
The success of a construction project is all about project management. According to a recent PMI study, 67% of projects fail when companies don’t leverage project management as a strategic element to their success. Construction companies that don’t prioritize project management experience more project failures than those with robust project management software implementations.
FAQs
What are the benefits of construction management software?
The benefits of construction management software include real-time communication and collaboration, accounting, financial management, resource management, improved productivity, document management, increased organization, and customizable options.
What does construction management software do?
Construction management platforms are tailored to meet the unique needs of an organization. In general, it can handle day-to-day project management throughout a construction project’s lifecycle.
Project aspects such as workflows, processes, punch lists, tasks, assignments, resource allocation, team communication, change management, and other construction needs are all aligned through construction PM software. This ensures that projects are completed on time, on budget, and according to customer expectations.
What is a significant advantage of project management software?
The most significant advantage of project management software is that it provides managers with an effective way to coordinate processes from one centralized location. Team members, stakeholders, and project managers can communicate in real-time, reducing waste and costly rework, improving productivity, and increasing positive outcomes.
