Being a manager of a construction firm is not an easy task. They have to keep up with a lot of details from running meetings to tracking orders as well as managing the finances. In order to help manage huge crews and several products without any hassle, they should rely on construction management software.
It acts as a savior by keeping important details and tasks organized in a single place. With this, every project can move forward on time while adhering to the budget. It also helps team members and stakeholders communicate and collaborate during the process.
But before investing in software, make sure to sit down with your team and figure out what your needs are. Know what you are looking for in a solution. Your choice would depend on what kinds of construction projects you handle.
Look for the following features if you are considering investing in construction management software
Estimating
It is the most sought feature by general contractors in construction management software. It helps in operating within a budget which is the most important factor for the success of a construction project. Look for construction management software that delivers higher price bids and backs them using benchmarking and integrated construction scheduling.
Project information modeling
Almost all construction projects are extremely complex as they include several stakeholders and hundreds of individual tasks that take long periods. With time, data models and drawings associated with the project pile up. So it is important to draw from this huge repository of data at any point during the lifecycle of the project and find the insight that you need. Some vendors also call project information modeling ‘design data management’. Opting for construction project management software featuring it helps you effortlessly share models and project information between operations, finance, and leadership, along with build-in analytics as well as reporting.
Cost management and accounting
Almost every construction management software offers basic budgeting and benchmarking abilities. Nevertheless, a more reliable cost management solution will include estimating and forecasting to give you an overall idea of every project’s financials. By effectively managing and tracking these details you can minimize unwanted surprises. It is also a crucial feature if your company handles accounting in-house. Excel spreadsheets are great for tracking costs as well as payroll however it is not always easy to access important data from the field or share updated files with others decision-makers.
Field management
As so many tasks are involved, it can be difficult for the project managers to oversee fieldwork at every location. Go with construction project management software that offers field management as well as execution features. It helps the contractor foreman to create and communicate daily project plans, keep in touch with the crew, assign tasks, improve construction scheduling, and examine the results of a workday at the end of each day.
Actionable data analytics
If you want the best bang for your buck, look for construction management software that offers a document management feature. Furthermore, it should make it easy to review data to improve the processes.
Bottom line
Knowing which features you need in construction management software is half of the battle. However, it is not always easy to tell which tools have these features. So experts can help you to make an easy choice. If you have any queries, contact the experts right away.