Most construction companies already have some kind of business processes in place; even if those processes are not the latest and greatest of best practices for the industry.
In most cases, construction companies should be able to find Construction Management Software solutions to fit their specific business models, since there are certain common denominators in just about any construction type business. Each construction project will require manpower, materials, equipment, vendors, and other similar components in order to carry out the overall construction project plan. Therefore, the selection of a software package should include a robust and user-friendly Workflow module that allows flexibility and real-time monitoring and management of the resources and commodities that make up that process.
Workflow processes within the construction industry will follow pretty much the same basic route to get from point “A” to point “B,” or from start to finish of a construction project. Every construction project needs essentially the same kinds of commodities and resources in order to execute the project effectively and efficiently. In addition, a good Construction Management Software package should include a flexible and easy manage Change Order functionality, since nearly every construction project will be faced with unforeseen circumstances, requiring updates to the master project plans and associated details.
It is also important to ensure that the Accounting sector of the construction company is an integrated module within the software package, to enable real-time cost monitoring and controls. Likewise, field operations on construction projects must have access to the Construction Management Software functionality, in order to field supervisors and others to input real-time project data, and to be able to monitor project progress and costs. Many field supervisors use hand-held data devices (similar to cell phones) to keep up with the day-to-day project issues and data input or output.
Other construction industry functionality important to Construction Management Software solutions are such items as Vendor pricing data, Supplier integration, Federal, State, and Community specific guidelines, contact information, and other Collaborative construction project features. As with any software selection, the company business processes should be clearly and accurately mapped out, in order to marry those processes with the very best software fit for your particular construction business needs.
Additionally, it might be prudent for construction companies to take some hints and lessons from some of the Construction Management Software best practices, in an effort to help streamline processes and reduce duplications and other unnecessary operating costs.