Construction management software gives your company the tools it needs to run efficiently, from payroll processing to estimating and project management. An ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) construction software solution is the backbone of any modern construction business.
There are many different ERP solutions on the market, each with its own set of features. Understanding your requirements early on will help you to select the right construction management software to meet your organisation’s unique needs.
Construction Management Software Checklist
If you’re planning to migrate to an ERP system or are looking to introduce construction management software to your workplace, the following questions will help you to understand what to look out for.
Is It Intuitive?
Intuitive software can be used by anyone who has basic IT skills, with very little training required. While every software has its nuances and each company has its own way of doing things, intuitive software will make processes easy to carry out.
Short recordable training sessions, for playback at any point, per key area of the business should be all that is required to get you up and running with your new construction management software.
Are New Projects Easy to Set Up?
You need to be able to set up new construction projects quickly and efficiently on your system.
Responsive and easy-to-use ERP software is a must. Especially given the amount of payroll, built-environment data, sustainability factors, scoping reports, planning documents and costs that need capturing pre-construction.
Is it Cloud-Based?
With cloud-based construction management software, the data should be securely stored centrally, as opposed to on
individual devices. Anyone with a login and an internet-connected device can access the data they need at any time and from anywhere, whether that’s onsite, in the office or on the road.
The centralised, secure data environment allows every team member, regardless of function, to view the same set of data at any given point. This means that a payroll team based in the UK can process payroll for an Irish construction project using live data, as it’s captured on-site. Similarly, a boiler repair team on the road can use their mobiles to submit completed job forms and photos digitally to head office in a few clicks – sparing them the hassle of providing paperwork at the end of every day.
Does it Integrate With Other Systems?
As a construction business, you probably already have numerous software systems and processes in place. Your construction management software should support modern methods to integrate with other 3rd party solutions in order to reduce errors and processing time.
For example, if your construction ERP software offers payroll and HR solutions, is it also Making Tax Digital (MTD) ready and able to help you with new tax measures? If you use BIM software, being able to connect with drawings and modelling on-site can be a game changer, so can your construction management software offer that?
Are Forms Easy to Generate?
In construction, there are many forms that need to be created and filled out on a daily basis, ranging from site inspections, daily diaries, requests for information and timesheets. Having simple-to-use construction management software to process these forms is a necessity.
If your ERP software doesn’t allow you to create, complete and store digitised forms, your employees risk wasting considerable time manually processing paperwork.
Does It Eliminate Information Silos?
Working in a silo can be very unproductive.
Unless you are in a certain team, you may not have access to information about a project until it has been completed. This approach can be hugely limiting to the overall progress of projects. Restricting vital communications to a select few can lead to a toxic mix of poor decision-making, reduced customer satisfaction levels and low employee morale. A silo mentality is counterproductive and reduces the overall progress of not only a project, but of the business as a whole. Once begun, a silo mentality is hard to break out of, and a significant change, like the introduction of construction management software, can help to drastically reduce these silos.
Good construction management software should enable the removal of silos to ensure clear and consistent communication across teams, with no barriers. This can be achieved by implementing a good information management system, although implementing a good information management system, supplemented with business analytics and reporting capabilities can also help to overcome many communication problems.
Can it Support Governance and Compliance?
When working in the built environment, adhering to the best practice governance and compliance regulations is
essential. This includes everything from Future Homes and Future Buildings Standards to accessibility and sustainability requirements.
Construction management software will empower you by providing excellent visibility and full audit trails. You will be able to submit work quickly for approval and use your system data to complement planning proposals.
As the new Building Safety Act (2022) comes into force, there is also a greater onus on the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor to be able to demonstrate their due diligence and management of building safety risks.
A clear thread of information, with data surrounding the design, construction and completion of every construction project is now also required. As constructors, there is a duty to ensure the correct and compliant control and access to this information.
Does it Provide Live Business Intelligence?
Your head office will want to be kept in the loop through progress reports, financials and other key project information. Using construction management software will allow everyone in your company to see and relay key information, no matter where they are in the world.
For example, directors can use their analytics dashboard to relay live data at shareholder meetings; and finance experts can see areas where they may need to revisit spending.
Does it Support your Supply Chain Management Strategy?
From procurement through to delivery, a robust construction management software solution will help with tracking, managing and invoicing through your supply chain.
Having digital records of each aspect of your supply chain, whether it’s their current status, previous performance metrics or short-listing for your next set of bid enquiries, being able to manage them through a single dashboard – supports the day-to-day progress and overall management strategy of a successful project.
Is it Scalable?
One of the most important things you need in construction management software, or software of any kind, is scalability.
Whether you’re looking to upscale system functionality, user numbers or data storage, your construction management software needs to help your business grow, not inhibit its potential.
Why Choose RedSky Construction Management Software?
Our award-winning, modular system allows you to scale up and down, add functionality and progress your business, as and when you need to.
If you don’t know what you need aside from construction management software, one of our expert team will be happy to assess your requirements and help you select the modules that will help move your business to the next level.
