When we say the construction industry is seemingly tech-resistant, we’re not talking about absolutely everyone. Digital technology has transformed how companies design and plan construction projects. However, when it comes to the build phase, everything seems to go all over the place. Project managers use their GANTT charts/project management tools to monitor progress, architects and engineers use their digital blueprints/3D designers to coordinate with contractors, you know the drill. But as someone who’s overseeing multiple projects and shuttling between the headquarters and job sites, keeping tabs of everything using various tools can get very complicated.
A construction management software is an all-in-one solution that covers most (if not all) of the information needs of a construction project’s various stakeholders, providing a holistic view of a single project or multiple projects.
In a nutshell: investing in a construction management software will yield benefits such as improved efficiency, accuracy, safety, and communication. Let’s break it down further, to make the case for going digital:
Higher efficiency: Digitization has made it possible for builders to streamline workflows to save time on an individual level. Because certain manual tasks can be automated through digital tools, team members get to do more with the same amount of time. While it may not be felt on an individual level, once you consider the number of times each process happens every month, add up all project team members’ time savings, and multiply this with the number of months the project took place – you’ll be surprised with the number you will arrive at.
Improved communication: Going digital has also improved coordination between team members, subcontractors, and clients (and client-representatives). The complexity of a construction project doesn’t rely solely on the intricacy of the design or the size of the property – it also comes from the number of participants. Having a software in place would allow you to manage schedules, track progress, allocate resources, and share information in real-time. Some even have comment threads and chat threads built into the system for even faster communication. This reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings and errors, ultimately leading to better quality and more efficient project delivery.
Real-time reporting for better decision-making: Effective reporting and real-time project status updates helps you make informed decisions promptly. This makes managing project risks better because you have a better understanding of the various areas to focus your time and attention on. Whether it’s a dashboard that gives the executives a bird's eye view of the status of the projects or an Excel spreadsheet that the tool can export, effective reporting could help builders better manage the projects they might be on to.
The ultimate benefit? Financial gains. All the efficiency and productivity improvements all lead to two interconnected financial results: lower costs and higher profitability.
Reduced costs: Investing in a construction management software can you reduce costs by improving efficiency and reducing waste. You stand to save a lot of time in data gathering, coordination, and approvals as well as reduce material waste and increase energy efficiency. Nothing drives cost up the way rework does, and being able to minimize miscommunication and errors will lead to lower rework. And lastly, software also helps you identify cost-saving opportunities and monitor project expenses in real time, allowing them to make informed decisions and stay within budget.
Increased profitability: Having a construction management software in place ultimately leads to increased profitability. What this does is give your company additional funds to invest in improving processes even more through technology, which will have a multiplier effect on the hike in profitability in the long run.
In summary: going digital by way of a construction management software benefits all stakeholders, improves processes, reduces waste and costs, and ultimately drives profitability up.
