The success of a construction project relies largely on how effectively a company is able to manage its resources and time.
Construction project management software can automate this management process, making it easier to improve your company’s productivity and efficiency while completing projects for clients.
Different programs have different features and functions, so it’s important to choose the right management software for your specific needs.
Here’s what you need to know about choosing a construction project management program that will take your construction business to a new level.
Understanding construction project management software
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Construction management software is a turnkey, all-inclusive solution that can automatically manage and simplify your construction tasks and helps you to keep track of your progress on projects of all sizes and scopes.
The right software can assist your company in working according to its budget, meeting client deadlines, and effectively managing your staff, suppliers, contractors, vendors, partners, and inventory.
Here’s what you should be looking for in your construction management program of choice.
Features to look for
Construction project management software can offer a variety of different features, depending on the type of construction you perform and the capabilities you need from your chosen software.
Software that can handle accounting, scheduling, staff tracking, and document management is best suited to general contracting firms, while builders may require specialized features like tool estimation, blueprinting, bidding, order changing, equipment procurement, and dispatching features.
Most construction management programs will contain these key features:
- Complete project scheduling
- Blueprinting, drawing, and file imports
- Forecasting, estimation, and budgeting
- Bid proposals and management
- Bookkeeping and financial report generation
- Staff management, attendance tracking, and timecards
- Dispatching and purchase orders
- Supplier and contractor databases
Cloud-based vs onsite
There are two primary types of construction project management software that will be available to you— cloud-based and onsite programs.
Cloud-based construction software is based online, and is instantly accessible from any device, as long as it has an internet connection and a suitable web browser. This convenient and portable option makes your data available to you 24/7, whether you’re in-office, on-site, or even abroad.
Most cloud-based project management platforms charge their clients a monthly fee, and the software provider will handle all maintenance and upgrades pertaining to the program as part of this fee.
While cloud-based software is usually the most popular choice for small construction companies, onsite software gives firms more control over their projects. This software is installed onto your company’s personal server and PCs, which means that it will need to be managed by an in-house IT team.
Onsite options have higher upfront fees, but cost less to maintain in the long run. They are also preferred by larger construction companies for their superior security, as all data is stored in-house in dedicated servers.
There are also three subtypes of construction software:
- Integrated construction estimation software
- Project portfolio management software
- Issue tracking management software
Integrated construction estimation software includes tools like finance and business management, customer relations, accounting, payroll, and project billing.
Project portfolio management software is designed specifically to handle the information and project scheduling requirements of construction jobs.
Issue tracking management software enables users to resolve issues, obstacles, and loopholes related to their construction projects.
Assessing the expenses
The costs of purchasing construction project management software will vary according to:
- Features
- Number of supported users
- Implementation processes
- Contract terms
- Customer support
Many popular cloud-based construction programs start from $99 per month. Some offer unlimited numbers of users, proposals, and leads, without requiring contracts or charging setup fees.
Other services have custom pricing based on the specific features your company needs. Large construction companies often pay over $1,000 a month for software with the advanced features they require.
Top benefits of construction management software
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Here are the key benefits of using construction project management software to manage your firm’s upcoming projects.
More efficient performance
Construction management software will help your firm to plan, coordinate and manage each one of your projects from start to finish. The right software helps you to make best use of your time and resources without waste and empowers your field team to work to the best of their ability. In fact, SaasList estimates that project management software saves the average employee 498 hours per year! These programs also enable contractors to avoid costly or potentially dangerous errors on the job.
Better profitability predictions
According to PMI.org, for every $1 billion invested in the United States, $122 million was wasted due to lacking project performance. Scary, right?
Construction project managers are tasked with selecting suitable building sites, sourcing project leads, and calculating building costs. Construction software will enable you to rapidly assess the profitability of each project you accept and identify ways to save money without compromising on the quality of your work.
Streamlined operations
Construction project management software with integrated accounting abilities will keep your projects within budget and on time, every time. These programs keep all of your team members up to date on your projects, enhancing your firm’s efficiency and significantly streamlining its operations.
The top construction project management software
Cloud-based software
staging-mondaycomblog.kinsta.cloud
Over 100,000 organizations around the world use staging-mondaycomblog.kinsta.cloud’s user-friendly work operating system to efficiently manage their projects from the ground up and collaborate seamlessly between the field and office.
Whether you’re wanting to communicate with your subcontractors more efficiently or need a centralized high-level overview of your multiple construction projects, these ready-made construction management templates will get you set up in minutes. It’s flexible enough to meet all project management and workflow needs beyond construction, making it a valuable choice.
Buildertrend
Buildertrend is a cloud-based construction management software for home builders, remodelers and specialized contractors since 2006.
Revizto
This program unifies BIM-based intelligence and makes it instantly accessible for contractors, architects, engineers, construction firms, and their teams.
Onsite software
Bluebeam
Bluebeam offers on-premise construction management solutions for specialty contractors, architects and design firms.
Fieldwire
Fieldwire is designed to meet the needs of general and specialty contractors, owners, architects, and designers.
Procore
Procore is designed for projects and teams of all sizes, and assists them in managing finances, streamlining communications and handling projects from planning to delivery.
A worthwhile investment
Construction project management software can improve your company’s operational efficiency and save you time and money as well. It’s important to choose the right option with the right features for your business’s needs.
Programs like staging-mondaycomblog.kinsta.cloud allow you to effortlessly manage your company’s construction projects, employees, and contractors, as well as their activities, communications, and real-time progress. They also assist you in keeping track of your execution plans, and are fully automated and scalable, allowing you to customize their features to fit your expanding workflow.
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