How to Select the Best Construction Management Software for your Company
Blog: NASSCOM Official Blog
Construction management software solutions are designed to boost productivity, enhance scalability, optimize project profitability, and streamline key processes. That is why developers and real estate managers opt for leading solutions, to ensure that they are maximizing their return on investment and are benefiting from industry-specific solutions.
While there are many construction management solutions in the marketplace, the best construction management platforms are highly innovative in nature, in terms of unique features, automated processes, and predictive analytics. They solve on-ground challenges in a highly efficient manner, while providing complete control over planning, procurement, inventory management, etc.
Firms can follow the stage-wise approach below when selecting the best construction management software for their company.
Developing a list of capabilities requirements
Builders can list key pain points, such as ineffective material management, resource-intensive processes, lack of collaboration, and standardization issues, to address challenges with traditional practices. Project delays are also a critical pain area for many developers, which is why leveraging a robust construction management solution is instrumental to driving efficiencies.
Developers can prepare a comprehensive scope of capabilities requirement, based on key factors such as project site, cost, location, type of project, and budget control necessary. From cost planning to procurement and vendor management, critical processes can be enhanced when adopting the right construction management software. Project managers can consult with the management, site teams, workers, suppliers, and third-party stakeholders, about the right features that should be included in a comprehensive construction management solution.
Reviewing construction management solution features
When comparing construction management software providers, it is important to review their functionalities offered. While all tools should focus on boosting process efficiency, team collaboration, accountability, and project transparency, the best solutions ensure that the following technical features are embedded within the platform.
Planning & Estimation– Cost planning is a critical feature that enables managers to have greater control over budgeting, material costs, projections, & forecasting. Builders should also have the capabilities to manage all projects seamlessly, while adding team members to individual projects for streamlined communication and approval management.
Invoicing and requisition management – Teams should be able to prepare invoices, manage estimates, raise on-site indents, prepare bill checklists, issue purchase orders, upload GRNs, and manage payments seamlessly from within the platform itself.
Procurement and material management – As procurement is a key area to optimize for all projects, construction management solutions must have comprehensive sourcing and procurement tools embedded. Defining work package contracting and procurement strategy are critical to optimize as well, as they contribute significantly to project efficiency and cost management.
Materials, accounting for a significant portion of construction budgets, should also be managed efficiently throughout the project lifecycle. Material management plays a vital role across multi-site projects, enabling teams to manage dynamic on-site requirements seamlessly. Material consumption should also be effectively linked with construction progress for better forecasting, analysis, and procurement.
Tendering and bidding – Solutions with a secure online tendering and bidding facility integrated are highly beneficial as they streamline a complex and resource-intensive process. External agencies should be able to bid on the platform easily, while project managers should be able to compare bids and award the contract to the right supplier.
Supplier and vendor management – Vendor prequalification, vendor filtering, vendor onboarding, and other critical vendor related activities can also be automated when using the right tool. Software providers should incorporate these tools to help streamline supplier and vendor management.
Progress management – A progress management feature should be integrated into any construction management solution, as it enables firms to analyse projects based on KPIs, analytics, and daily progress. This is a critical feature as managers and decision makers require up-to-date information about all projects within an insight-driven dashboard.
Technical support – Software platforms should provide extensive technical support, in terms of onboarding, data upload, documentation, walkthroughs, and one-on-one sessions, to ensure seamless adoption of the platform. Construction ERP solutions need to provide nationwide customer support, so that there are no challenges with on-ground implementation.
BOQ and BOM management – The best construction management solutions have comprehensive BOQ and BOM management capabilities, along with standardized line items for efficient processing. This streamlines workflows significantly, enabling builders to be more agile in their approach.
Customization – From the dashboard layout to the handling of scheduling and processing, various features within the solution should be customizable for better enterprise-fit.
Engaging with construction management software providers
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Ensuring that the solution is cyber-secure and safe to use is critical as well. The best construction management solutions incorporate robust firewalls, encryption protocols, and data protection systems. They are designed to be easy to integrate into all operations and can be deployed instantly across the enterprise.
In conclusion
Construction firms can review the benefits offered by construction project management solution providers and understand how well they fit within existing requirements. Material management is a key feature of an ideal construction management solution, as it contributes to direct cost savings and effective material utilization.
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