Introduction
It’s 2021 and the information overload we are exposed to is strongly evident in every area of our lives. There seems to be a new best practice every week, something else to know to be current in the field. To make matters worse, clients have access to this new information as soon as they are released, and they often request “improbable” updates to the plan based on what they have read. This leaves you with the “juicy” task of explaining why the new update will not work at this point in the construction process. Work alone is heavy stress and we haven’t started with the home yet. As a result of this constant bombardment, it has become essential to simplify and automate everything that can be automated. Our minds are left free for higher-level decisions and the highest communication levels, which is where construction resource management software comes in.
If you’re in the construction space, I am willing to bet “your” life savings that you have heard of at least one resource management software. You are probably already using one at the moment. It is high time you changed or upgraded the software and stopped using that outdated software from 2010. You need to keep up with the times and take advantage of new features that will make life easier.
Criteria for selection
There are some features your new resource management software should have.
● Accounting and finance: This includes budgeting, payroll, invoicing, billing, and cash flow management. This enables you to make sound financial decisions based on evidence from the financial data available.
● Scheduling: You should be able to organize work efficiently; assign, prioritize and track tasks.
- Status updates: You should readily always see a snapshot of the progress so far if you’re on within or outside the budgeted time. You should also get status reports at specific intervals.
- Communication tools: All stakeholders should have access to the software wherever they are, and they should be able to communicate with any other stakeholder in real-time. It’s important to be able to connect to your project regardless of your location.
- Data security: the software should comply with standard security protocols and regulations.
- File-sharing: Sharing of project documents should be easy and secured as files move from one point to another.
- Responsive support: the software developers should have available a support team for any possible software problems.
- Visual Representations: intuitive and easy to grasp visual representations is a must for any software.
- Pricing: The software subscription fee should be reasonable.
- Customization: You should be able to customize the software to your and the team’s tastes.
- Data Sharing: You should be able to share data with clients easily.
Construction Resource Management Software
This is software that has all the features we have discussed and more! It integrates easily with other industry software, and you will have no stress communicating with teams using other software. It also runs on all the major platforms and operating systems. It has an Open API, and it has mobile applications. It’s straightforward to use. On top of all that, its intuitive design often means that users require no more than an hour of training to effectively use the tool, even for complex tasks like construction resource scheduling.
Smartsheet
This is software with nice collaboration and communication features. It allows easy timeline creation, progress tracking, and document management. Visual representations are in the form of Gantt charts. You can easily upload files from several platforms. It also integrates easily with other software.
Buildertrend
Buildertrend is a cloud-based construction project management software. It enables easy communication and it shows real-time status reports.
Co-construct
Co-construct is a web-based construction resource management software. It makes schedule creation very easy and encourages communication among stakeholders.
Procore
Procore allows for easy communication and documentation. It is a cloud-based tool that combines collaboration on projects with real-time editing in a big way. Other features include project dashboards, scheduling, reporting, document management, email training, bidding, and more. Procore also allows integration with other software such as Bridgit Bench.
Buildtools
This is another beautiful construction resource management software. It allows easy management of communication between all stakeholders.
Aconex
Aconex helps to manage information and improve efficiency and while reducing risk. It achieves this by offering the following features; document management, workflow automation, bid management, issue management, document creation, and review from any location.
Plangrid
This software is available on mobile devices. It enables interaction regardless of location, and all stakeholders can be synced in real-time.
Contractor foreman
This construction resource management software can also be used on a mobile. It is an all-in-one solution built for people that are new to construction software.
Redteam
Redteam is a project management software that emphasizes construction financials and document control.
Spectrum
This web-based software has modules for accounting, equipment and materials, document control, human resources and payroll, and inventory. It can be a little complex, but there are several tutorials available online.
Webuild
Webuild is another software that focuses on stakeholder collaboration.
Oracle primavera
This web-based project management software offers tools for project scheduling, planning, portfolio management, document management, and analytics. It can be a little complex for beginners using construction resource management software.
Conclusion
The construction business is unique among businesses; there is very little margin for error. We absolutely can’t afford to make mistakes. The human mind is very fallible, especially when stressed. We need this software to help us while working to ensure that work is as easy as possible and that we make as few errors as possible.
The software upgrade you chose should be flexible enough to accommodate sudden changes in your construction projects; it should be one you understand and know how to use quickly. After careful consideration of your and your company’s needs, the current project, the project stakeholders, and software pricing, you should be ready to make the upgrade that will make life easier for you and free your mind to make the most important decisions.
