The US construction industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.0% during 2022-2026. That means more projects will be taken on board. Construction companies will also invest more in technology and equipment to ensure quality in each project.
Currently, many companies are investing in scheduling software for construction, like Bridgit, to streamline their project management. The software also helps managers to automate many activities like scheduling and to manage the workforce.
So, are you also planning to get contractor scheduling software? This post will show you six advantages of using this software in the construction business.
Why should you use contractor scheduling software?
The contractor scheduling software boosts the construction team’s performance. That way, you can easily complete a project on schedule and under budget. So, here are the six advantages of using the software.
Cloud-based document storage and sharing
The first commercial use of cloud-based technology happened in 1990. After that, the need for physical storage devices was significantly reduced. Thanks to cloud technology, you can efficiently store and share construction documents online without worrying about speed and distance.
The contractor scheduling software also works on cloud technology. You can utilize the cloud storage to store heavy construction files, including:
- Schematic demos – Construction diagrams describing the building’s characteristics.
- Project reports – All construction reports like project status, resource allocation, and workforce management.
- Software tutorials – Videos regarding how to use construction software for new team members.
- Blueprints – Low-level construction diagram, which shows a detailed structure of the building on blue paper with white labels.
You can instantly share the documents online once you save them on the cloud storage. The software also allows you to enable or restrict users from accessing construction files.
For example, you can only enable the construction manager to review the budget report. So, you can only give access to the manager and invite no one else to view the file.
Real-time communication
The contractor scheduling app allows you to establish real-time communication. What does that mean?
You can call project stakeholders or the team members via voice or video anytime you want using the software. There will be space or time dependency. Also, real-time communication is free of cost. You must only have a stable internet connection to make these calls.
This feature creates transparency in the working environment. For example, if an employee has a concern to share, they can directly approach the construction manager without submitting any application to hold a meeting.
They simply have to turn on the system, log in using the ID, and start communication with the desired manager or team member.
It is super important to keep active communication during a construction project. But, sometimes, the scheduling app is not enough to keep everyone in the loop. It’s because teams and senior management are not on good terms.
Therefore, the construction manager must clean the air and ensure everyone uses the software to communicate.
Master schedule
You can create a master schedule using the contractor scheduling software. But before that, you must know what a master schedule is.
Unlike an ordinary construction schedule in which you only write the activities’ timeline, the master schedule has more features, like:
- Milestone – A master schedule breaks the construction activities into smaller parts known as milestones.
- Individual tasks – The milestones are based on teams and individuals, ensuring accountability for each team member.
- Contingency plan – Construction managers and the scheduler analyze the risk assessment document and accordingly make a contingency plan in the master schedule.
With the help of contractor scheduling software, you can efficiently create a master schedule and share it with all the construction project stakeholders.
Centralized drawing management
The drawing phase is a critical part of the construction industry. First, architects and designers brainstorm and roughly design the project’s structure. Then, they complete the final blueprint, schematic design, and building architecture step-by-step.
During their work, they need an expert review in every step of designing. For example, suppose the senior civil designer is out of town due to an emergency, and the deadline is strict. In that case, you can collaborate with the senior designer using the centralized drawing management feature of the software.
You can upload the design on the software and start working with the senior designer online. Now, you both can make changes to the drawing in real-time. You already know about the calling feature. So, you can also talk to them and complete the task on schedule.
Another big advantage of this feature is you can invite multiple designers only to view the drawing and give their feedback. Their comments are important, especially for those designers who have worked on big construction projects.
Therefore, your design team must use the centralized drawing management feature to boost the construction project’s quality.
Automated timesheets
Some construction projects are so strict on deadlines that managers must record employees attendance. No doubt, employees don’t like such strictness, but it’s more hectic for the manager to keep updating the timesheet of every individual.
But you can automate the timesheet generation by using the contractor scheduling app. Simply enter the details of each worker in the software and set the time of entry and exit. You can also integrate the timesheets with the payroll management feature to automatically generate true salaries and wages of the workers.
Cost tracking
You already know that money is the biggest resource in a construction project. That means you must keep tracking the construction budget. Otherwise, the whole project might suffer from financial loss.
You can use the cost tracking feature of the contractor scheduling software and stay updated on every penny 24/7. The software will show you real-time cost analytics about how much budget is used and by who, where, and when.
That way, you can complete the construction project under budget and enhance the company’s reputation.
Conclusion
Always adapt the culture of using advanced tools like the contractor scheduling software to ensure efficient project completion. All construction activities rely on the allocated budget, which means you must stay alert of the money the client invested.
Therefore, buy a premium version of reliable construction software and boost your team’s performance in every project.
