Construction Project Management Software | How-to Guides for running your business from Business.com

Is there any undertaking more logistically complex than putting up a building? Workers of vastly different skill levels come and go, supplies and materials have to arrive on budget (and on time), inspectors drop in and out. Never mind the sheer mathematical and physical complexity of construction itself.

Not surprisingly, the complex task of construction project management has moved entirely into the software realm. Project management construction software comes in a variety of sizes and its uses can be modularized to fit each company's needs, from contractor management software to Web-based construction management to fully blown construction project management — from soup to nuts.

Covered in this guide to project management construction software:

1. Construction management software for major projects
2, Contractor management software
3, Web-based construction management
4. Accounting construction management software

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Construction project management software for the big boys

A few companies specialize in construction project management software, and the typical modules -- accounting, estimating, procurement, project management, reporting, service management, estimating, and analysis -- suggest the breadth of the task of construction project management software design.

I recommend: The good news is that most are truly modular, so you end up buying licenses only for the parts of the construction project management software you will use. Some vendors of fully blown construction project management software include Sage, Jonas, Penta, Dexter + Chaney, Explorer, and Meridian Systems.

Contractor management software for service providers

For every general contractor, there can be dozens of subcontractors pouring concrete and installing electrical, plumbing or flooring. These second-tier companies often have their own construction management software known as contractor management software.

I recommend: Some vendors of contractor management software include Sage MasterBuilder and QuickBooks. Some contractor management software focuses specifically on job estimates, like Corecon Technologies and Proest.

Construction project management software is moving online

With broadband Internet access become commonplace and even high-speed wireless the norm, a lot of what construction project management software does is being migrated to online platforms.

I recommend: Constant updates fly through the network, keeping crucial information from being bottled up in printed reports. Take a look at offerings from e-Builder and BuildTopia.

Accounting and project management construction software

The big reason contractors and construction companies end up losing money is cost overruns. It takes robust accounting systems to keep costs in check while on a construction deadline.

I recommend: Makers of construction management accounting software include Foundation, ComputerEase, and JobPower.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

For any size construction project, management software is central to keeping on budget and on time. Yet construction project management software is just a tool: Training is necessary to realize any benefit from construction management software.
In terms of project management, construction software can be very complex. Ask the vendor for tech support for the first year at a discounted price or free as part of the purchase deal.
Construction project management, software aside, is a demanding field. Every professional construction project management teams needs experienced leadership to keep things on track, not just project management construction software in a box.