The construction management software helps companies to supervise their construction scheduling, project estimating, accounting, warranty management, homebuyer selections, bid management and a lot more. It allows the people involved in the project to quickly and easily access the construction information such as the construction materials and budget through an extranet or intranet.
One of the key features of the software is the document control wherein a written evidence of important documents can be generated. This makes the individuals involved in the project to be more accountable of their task. It also avoids finger pointing if in case the project encountered a problem. This feature motivates the team members to work hard and do their best ontheir assigned task so the project will run smoothly.
The construction project management software also allows the project managers to accurately evaluate the actual cost of a project compared to just getting the estimates. It can be integrated into the job costing and accounting systems which make the financial insights on the project more valuable and precise.
Project Management Information Systems
Construction managers used the project management information systems to organize their projects. It manages the tasks accordingly based on the given time and budget of the plan. It allows the construction managers to develop a better understanding of the concepts, principles, scope and the boundaries of a project. It also helps them to improve their project schedule. The software enhances the way the construction managers’ deal with the problems and issues in managing a project.
Aside from the construction management, the software is also used for the development of engineering, information technology and even in the medical field. The users of this software can acquire the skills and knowledge needed to manage a project. It helps them to be aware of the fundamental problems in project management and teaches them the techniques to overcome these challenges so the project will be successful.
- Web-based
You can access the web-based project management software with the use of a web browser. You can access it either by extranet or intranet network, as long as you have a working internet connection and an internet-ready device. Just like any other web applications in the market, the software also has its pros and cons.
Since it is a web-based application, you no longer need to install a software, you just need to access your project on any computer using the internet browser. Also, if you want to install a software, you just need to install it once andit only has one version, so it doesn’t require you to do any upgrades on the software. It is cheaper comparedto purchasing and maintaining a software application. You can pay it monthly or annuallyrather than buying your ownserver, whichmay involve a lot of money plus you need to hire an IT team to manage it. Normally the fee will depend on the number of projects and users of the software. Some software companies may also charge extra for the training and maintenance.
It also allows the users to access the files anywhere and anytime. However, its graphical capability is verylimited and it is slower compared to the desktop applications. Also, another drawback of the software is it’s inaccessible if you are offline. You will not be able to view the project information if you don’t have an internet connection.To resolve this, make sure to evaluate your internet service and it should be stable. If the internet connection is slow or intermittent, you can check with your internet service provider so they can help you with the resolution.
- Collaborative
The collaborative project management systems allow multiple users to modify various sections of the project simultaneously. Individuals can work on their assigned tasks at the same time and they can easily integrate their estimates to the whole plan. The web-based tools can be included in this category, however, it is only accessible if an internet connection is available. The task and information on the project can be replicated with the use of the client-server-based tools when a user access the network.
The collaboration will depend on the permission level given to each user. Other users can be allowed to edit the plan, some will be able to post notes and others may only have the capability to view or read certain data. This can be considered as an added security to the project management software for construction since it prevents unauthorized users to make unnecessary changes to the project plan. In addition, it makes the project more organized and more likely to succeed.
It is useful especially if the team members are working on related sub-projects separately. It helps the stakeholders as well as project leaders to track and estimate the activities on the different stages of the project. This is ideal if there are multiple users who are fromdifferent locations access the files at the same time.
- Desktop
The desktop project management software also allows multiple users, however, only one person can access the project plan at a time. It should also be a file-based plan and saved to the networked drive. The project plan can be saved locally or to a central database. Compared to the web-based project management software, this has a high-quality graphical interface and very responsive.
- Integrated
The project planning or project management can be combined with a different application used in the company operation through the integrated systems. Each person will be able to use their own calendar, task list, messaging and other application required for the project. This is one of the helpfulfeatures of the top construction management software and it is useful to avoid any overlap between the business activities. The calendar helps the team members manage their schedules and activities. They can properly plan their schedule and this allows them to keep track of the deadlines. The task list accurately defines the roles and responsibilities of each member so they will only focus on the task assigned to them and avoid any confusion of their duties. The messaging helps the members to easily communicate to each other. If there are any problems or issues with the project they can ask the teammates for information and clarification. Reviews of construction management software can help you determine other business applications that can be integrated with the construction software.
- Single-user
Single-user project management systems are ideal for small organizations. Based on the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), this software category allows one person to make changes in the plan in a given time. Usually, the desktop applications are included in this category.This is used if there is a clear planning structure from the start, middle and up to the end a project.
Capital Project Management Software
Construction managers and building owners use the capital project management software (CPMS) to speed up the project schedules and enhance the capital planning. According to FinancesOnline, the software can help enhance the capital planning and projects in order to produce higher returns. It also provides integrated analytics and processes. The integration of analytics provides the project teams the information and tools needed so they can make the right decisions for the project.
It is capable of providing a real-time and accurate reporting of the capital budget. The layers of budgeting can also be configured using the software to meet the demands and structure of the company. The project plan is also secured since the permission level on the software can be customized. You can allow or restrict the people who can view, edit, and report the budgets as well as the projects. The restriction can also be filtered by location, region, and specific individuals or to a group of users.
Today’s business requires accurate and timely deliverables. The construction management software simplifies the management of documents and enhances the efficiency of construction management. Understanding these characteristics of the software can help you have an efficient and cost-effective project management. In order to meet the demands of businesses, most software manufacturers are already offering a mobile application so construction managers can still access the project even if they are in the field. New features and functionality of the software have been developed to provide solutions to various construction issues.
Basically, the software can improve the workflow of the project plan, its robust search capability reduces the time to search for data, and it’s efficient as it develops the team collaboration.
If you are planning to get a management software, consider the elements such as the response time, quality and the mobile support offered by the software company. Study how the software can become a solution to your everyday construction problem. Take note of the things that you need to consider before getting the software.Determine the type of your business, what the software manufacturers can offer, the features and its benefits. Don’t pay any extra amount for features that you don’t need. Make use of the reviews of construction management software so you can learn more about its advantages as well as the disadvantages. For a reliable source of construction management software reviews, you can visit the list from CrowdReviews.
Keith Moore
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