It’s common for construction projects to be hindered by unseen budget and project risks, as well as communication deficiencies between stakeholders. Furthermore, collaborations among general contractors, back office teams, and design personnel can create additional obstructions that are difficult to surmount in the face of change.
It is possible to overcome the risks and difficulties that come with project management. Utilizing these four essential software features will arm you with the ability to efficiently manage all of your projects, allowing for a calmer and more manageable workflow.
1. By recording vital field details, potential problems are prevented before it’s too late
With complex construction projects having many moving parts, it’s almost inevitable that something will eventually get off track. At this point, people must take the initiative to be innovative and find solutions for the problem at hand. To do so effectively, each team member needs precise information not only about what happened but also who’s involved and which role everyone plays in fixing it.
Unforeseen issues are commonplace in any project, so it goes to show that no risk should be left unaccounted for when undertaking thorough research beforehand. Clearly, clarity and effective communication proved essential for resolving problems quickly – something all teams should keep in mind before embarking on their next endeavour.
Without timely reports that display the results of procrastinating decisions, issues will only get put off further. Therefore, besides having reliable ways to capture field data, you must have efficient methods for addressing concerns. When problem ownership is established, a customizable reminder system allows you to send out notifications regarding anything at any time to those who need it.
2. With a single source of truth, all parties have the correct information delivered instantly
Without the reassurance of job progression and an effective way to store accurate documentation, getting paid can be a difficult task. It doesn’t matter if you’re billing according to progress completion rate, expenses incurred or production amounts – all your information must be precise and backed up with comprehensive records.
Without reliable data at hand, creating your billing statement each month can be an arduous undertaking. Each invoice may become a quest for knowledge. But the reality is that this difficulty arises when there isn’t one accurate source of information to refer to.
Poor data and inadequate paperwork can result in delayed payments, outright denial of your payment application, and a decrease in the owner’s trust. If there is an issue with payment delivery, then it could put at risk those mutually beneficial partnerships as well. On top of that, if you fail to invoice for completed work correctly then not only are you putting your company in danger but also diminishing the speed by which revenue gets credited to your account.
Outdated and incorrect data can create havoc with the budget, obscure project risks, and put a strain on your timeline. Imagine finding out that the plumbing risers were installed according to an outdated drawing during a pre-pour walk just before or even worse – in the morning when concrete trucks are already waiting outside? Such missteps can create potential scheduling problems for days to come.
If you don’t have one reliable source of truth, your colleagues not only won’t have the latest information but will also waste precious time hunting for it instead of building something. Instead of wishing to “get back to being builders” at the end of a long day, consider how you’re managing project data. There’s an easier way.
When essential data is scattered and outdated, it can leave teams feeling overwhelmed and behind the eight ball. The power of a unified source of truth means every employee has direct access to all the required insights when they need them; allowing everyone on your team to be productive without having to scour for old or inaccurate facts. By providing real-time information that’s always up-to-date, you empower your staff with confidence so they’re free to focus their energies on what matters most.
3. Tracking accountability can help prevent delays and rework
Everyone on the project team is responsible for delivering a design that meets expectations. This involves questions, discussions about potential substitutions or better means and methods of construction, as well as working around job constraints. Unfortunately, when material request forms (RFIs) and submittals are not completed quickly enough it can lead to costly delays in the schedule or even force rework to fix overzealous attempts at using inferior materials and processes with the goal of speeding up production.
When there is no responsibility for substitutions, timely submittals and fast approvals, stakeholders can be effectively locked into taking a step forward one day while regressing the following. When people can’t trust that they will receive precise answers in a prompt manner, they will resort to alternatives or idleness. Procrastinated authorizations usually have an equivalent degree of detriment as not having any authorization whatsoever.
Your project management solution should provide RFIs, submittals, reporting, notifications and reminders all in one place to ensure that clashes and substitutions are minimized. This also speeds up the approval process so people can get started quickly without waiting around for permissions.
By encouraging two-way conversation and collaboration both externally with project participants and internally within your team, deeper insight can be achieved to help manage the project. Utilizing software that supports such communication activities keeps issues in check before any budget or timeline damage is done.
4. Stay informed with the most recent data and updates in real-time
Having one reliable source of information is key to making sure everyone has the newest data. When you combine that with real-time updates, your employees will have all they need to stay on top of their tasks and projects. Superior performance in the field contributes significantly towards success – yet teams are continuously hindered from achieving optimum productivity due to lack of essential knowledge.
Not only can existing conditions present unexpected surprises, but the design process itself may also uncover new and unforeseen circumstances that necessitate adjustments. More often than not, designs are never really complete until a project is completed – whether it be due to newly-acquired information or different conditions encountered in the field. In some cases however, inadequate plans leave construction teams scrambling to find solutions for deficient blueprints.
Design modifications have an inevitable impact on the allocated timeline and budget. Often, we are required to postpone certain tasks while expediting others; however, even after these attempts at readjustment, doing so may still lead to a rework that exceeds our initial estimated costs.
Doubt is the biggest cause of anxiety when it comes to knowing if you have been granted permission for new projects, refurbishments, changes, and schedule revisions. Thankfully, a powerful project management tool that provides real-time updates through mobile devices can be incredibly beneficial in this situation – allowing your team to stay informed with minimal effort.
In conclusion, incorporating technology-assisted tactics into your project management strategy can help increase transparency and mitigate risks. By utilizing tools like PlanRadar, you can have a clear overview of your budget and identify potential issues early on.
To start improving your construction project management approach, book a free PlanRadar product demo today and experience the benefits of technology-assisted project management first-hand.
