Resources for Construction Project Management Software

How to Select a Construction Project Management Software Vendor

With the right project management systems, construction teams can finish more projects on time without going over budget. Construction project management software streamlines and automates document management, budgeting, tracking costs, and scheduling labor, project phases, and resources. At the heart of project management construction software is its document control module for keeping track of all change orders, transmittals, submittals, and requests for information. Other important features include budgeting, cost control, scheduling, critical path method, and punch list management modules. More advanced construction project management software will offer features for photo and site-camera management, bid solicitation, procurement, and online room plans. Buyers face a number of choices when it comes to shopping for construction project management software.

Before you dive into the software specifics, you will want to consider the following questions:

1. What type of buyer are you? General contractors, building owners, independent construction managers, and sub contractors will require different features from their software.
2.  Will your construction team be able to easily adopt a new system?
3. Would web-based or on-premise project management software better suit your needs?
4. Do you foresee a need for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) tracking?

Features of Project Management Construction Software

Construction requires that project managers spend time out in the field. As a result, there is a demand for mobile applications to keep those managers connected to their project management construction software. Watch out for the mobile apps and platforms supported by each vendor. Firms that plan to build LEED projects should consider project management construction software with LEED credit tracking. More and more project management software for construction offers LEED tracking applications, which automate detailed tracking of requirements that are needed to achieve certification. If your company needs financial visibility, budgeting and cost control modules will give project managers greater insight into actual costs relative to estimates, as well as the likely cost to complete.

The Benefits of Project Management Construction Software

Whether you are working on a small or large-scaled project, project management software for construction lays down the groundwork for an indispensable system. The document control capabilities within construction project management software create a paper trail for project plans, change orders, submittals, and transmittals. This improves accountability and reduces any blame games when a project encounters any problems. As a result, liability is curtailed. From the perspective of sub contractors who want to minimize liability, this is a great feature because it ensures the right crew is working on the right project at the right time.

Potential Challenges

Getting construction members to adopt and integrate the new system is the main challenge that project managers encounter when introducing construction project management software. Some individuals often prefer the older manual methods of data entry such as spreadsheets because they are familiar. Involving a broad set of users in the selection process will help foster acceptance and adoption. If people know what to expect, there should be no resistance to using the software to increase collaboration and accountability.