Digital tools have had a significant impact on construction project management. Software that manages construction has revolutionized our industry, from scheduling to construction financials to field management and much more. Let’s take a look at some of the tools commonly used by general contractors (GCs) and construction Project Managers and the best practices for getting your tools to work together.
Construction accounting management software
Construction accounting management software is a must-have in the construction industry today. Those who can’t commit to a cloud-based solution will likely use spreadsheet-like software to track budgets, budget changes, actual expenditures, change orders and more. Outdated accounting or ERP software can’t effectively manage construction costs. These solutions often result in poor data integrity, the need for multiple versions and no real control over the data. All of which negatively impact the insights needed for business decisions. The good news is that affordable solutions will allow you to tighten up your accounting management. Integratable, simple to use, and well-supported options are at your fingertips.
Real-time communication platforms
Collaborative tools allow everyone to work together regardless of their location. Some of the most common are email, text, phone calls, instant messaging, etc. However, keeping track of communication handled with these tools is nearly impossible. It’s essential to consider a construction management software that offers features to collaborate on task assignments, form accessibility and the ability to keep your entire project connected from beginning to end seamlessly. Your construction management software should offer you a mobile app with the ability to track jobsite progress, share general project updates and effectively manage necessary collaboration and coordination.
Real-time communication allows for a tighter project schedule because you can share information instantly with team members and clients—create, assign and schedule tasks based on priorities—analyze paths to speed up or otherwise adjust project timelines and more.
Centralized document and financial management
The new(er) kid on the block, cloud-based construction management software, is a solution that provides workflows to manage every facet of construction and real-time information sharing between field and office teams. The relevant data is always available and saves your team significant time and confusion. Deliver projects on time and on budget by keeping the whole project team on task and organized, while avoiding miscommunication and the possibility of rework.
Integratable construction accounting and project management software
Your project managers require project-related financial information to make decisions. Without integrated accounting and construction management software, PMs need to contact your accounting team for up-to-date information. By adequately integrating your construction accounting software with your construction management platform, you avoid costly delays by allowing your operations and accounting teams to stay in their respective software while sharing real-time data between the systems.
How to determine the best construction management software tool
Construction management software tools aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s crucial to identify the unique pain points for your company to focus on the priorities that require more attention. This will also guide the discovery process as you look for essential features like:
- Employee time and expense tracking
- Robust reporting and dashboards
- Automation features
- Task status tracking
- Mobile app availability
- Data/document sharing permissions for subs and stakeholders
- Budget management
- Contract and change management
- Progress reporting
When using multiple tools for construction project management, be sure that the tools can work together seamlessly. This removes frustration and workflow interruptions—the goal is for the tools to improve efficiency and enhance productivity
Taking enough time during discovery increases the likelihood that you’ll find construction project management tools that work best for your company while being compatible with each other. Finally, consider the option of using a comprehensive construction management platform that allows for optimal efficiency and total project control.
We invite you to watch a demo of RedTeam’s solutions and see how we can help provide you with the very best in construction project, accounting and field management.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the essential construction management tools for general contractors?
Construction management tools for general contractors typically include construction accounting management software, real-time communication platforms, centralized document management systems and project management software. These tools help manage various aspects of construction projects, from budgeting and scheduling to communication and document sharing.
Q: Why is construction accounting management software important?
Construction accounting management software is crucial because it helps track budgets, expenditures, change orders and more. It ensures data integrity, supports real-time financial insights and enhances overall project efficiency by reducing the necessity for multiple versions and manual data handling.
Q: How do real-time communication platforms benefit construction projects?
Real-time communication platforms facilitate instant information sharing among team members and clients, which helps in creating, assigning and scheduling tasks based on priorities. This leads to tighter project schedules, better coordination and fewer delays, ultimately improving project timelines and outcomes.
Q: What is centralized document and financial management in construction?
Centralized document and financial management involves using cloud-based software to manage all project-related documents and financial data. This approach ensures that relevant data is always accessible in real-time, reducing confusion and saving time, which helps in delivering projects on time and on budget.
Q: How can integrating construction accounting and project management software improve efficiency?
Integrating construction accounting software with project management software allows for seamless data sharing between accounting and operations teams. This integration helps avoid costly delays by providing project managers with real-time financial information, thereby enhancing decision-making and overall project efficiency.
Q: What factors should be considered when choosing construction management software?
When selecting construction management software, consider several key factors. Look for features like employee time and expense tracking, robust reporting and dashboards and automation capabilities. Task status tracking and mobile app availability are also important. Ensure the software allows data and document sharing with permissions. Budget management and contract or change management capabilities should also be considered.
Q: How can construction management tools work together seamlessly?
To ensure construction management tools work together seamlessly, choose software solutions that integrate and can share data in real time. This integration helps eliminate workflow interruptions, reduces frustration and enhances productivity and efficiency across the project lifecycle.
Q: What are the best practices for managing construction documents?
Best practices for managing construction documents include centralizing all data in a cloud-based system, ensuring documents are easily accessible to authorized team members and using software that supports real-time updates and collaboration. This approach minimizes errors, reduces rework and keeps the project team organized.
Q: How do you determine the best construction management software for your company?
Determining the best construction management software involves identifying your company’s unique pain points, prioritizing essential features and considering the compatibility of various tools. Taking time to evaluate and test different options increases the likelihood of finding a software solution that meets your specific needs and integrates well with other tools.
Q: What are the benefits of using a comprehensive construction management solution?
A comprehensive construction management solution offers optimal efficiency and total project control by integrating various tools and features into one solution. Benefits include improved coordination, reduced miscommunication, enhanced productivity and the ability to manage all aspects of construction projects from a single solution.
