The construction project management landscape is evolving, and advanced technologies and practices are shaping how tasks are executed, paving the path for unparalleled efficiency.
What barriers do construction managers face?
Construction management software (CMS) is an integral part of managing modern construction projects, as it can effectively streamline processes and give stakeholders access to real-time data for improved tracking of progress and budget expenditure, as well as empowering project managers to anticipate potential risks before they become an issue.
Construction project managers face barriers such as:
- controlling costs to ensure the project stays within budget
- managing the project schedule to ensure it is completed on time, and mitigating the risks of delays or unexpected issues
- identifying and addressing potential risks and challenges that could impact the project
- ensuring that the right people, equipment, and materials are in place to complete the project efficiently
- ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned and working towards the same goals and objectives
- ensuring the final product meets the required standards and specifications.
How are businesses utilising CMS?
Innovative Construction management software solutions can help project managers overcome some of these challenges to manage on-site projects more efficiently. There are six ways Construction management software can help businesses optimise project efficiency:
- Streamline planning and scheduling: achieve a comprehensive view of all project elements, making it easier to plan and schedule projects accurately, coordinate with stakeholders, and track progress while monitoring changes in the environment that could affect timelines.
- Optimise resource allocation: gain visibility into materials used—from delivery tracking to stock level updates—as well as insight into labour availability to appropriately allocate resources, minimise overtime costs, and reduce the potential for overloading or underutilisation.
- Maximise productivity with real-time reporting: make adjustments quickly and maximise overall on-site productivity by tracking individual crew member performance, as well as areas of improvement and entire job sites in real time.
- Improve safety compliance: simplify safety compliance by consolidating relevant data into a single source of truth, letting teams easily identify potential risk areas before they become issues.
- Use analytics for better decision-making: generate reports quickly and easily to stay informed about project progress in real time.
- Use enterprise resource planning (ERP): ERP solutions let construction managers integrate all aspects of the project from planning to completion, including accounts payable, financial analysis, scheduling, and more, to achieve a comprehensive view of the entire operation to ensure everything runs on time and on budget.
Closing thoughts
Navigating the complexities of construction projects requires advanced technologies that work in tandem with human resources to ensure deadlines are met, tasks are completed, and quality standards are adhered to. Construction managers must be able to problem solve and manage risk and resource allocation to ensure budget project success.
The future of construction project management will be marked by the continued adoption of advanced technologies and practices, transforming conventional processes and leading to more efficient project execution. CMS helps bridge the gap and empowers construction managers to maintain quality standards while enhancing job site safety and compliance.
CMS is also essential to improve communication and collaboration across sites, letting workers directly engage via mobile devices to access project information, anytime, from anywhere. This reduces time spent on administrative tasks while driving teams to be more responsive to changing field conditions. CMS will continue to benefit future construction projects, letting businesses achieve maximum value and guaranteeing project success.
Bart Crowther is the Regional Lead, Australia for the global SaaS Construction Tech platform PlanRadar. With more than 10 years’ experience in the construction industry, Crowther has worked in a number of high-profile and senior leadership roles for companies such as Aconex, Avoka Technologies, Fujitsu, Kronos and Data#3.
