Every construction project is complex. It can be for any development, including residential, retail, or industrial contracts. Small-scale renovation and home extensions can also be part of a varied work schedule. As a result, construction scheduling in any sector is a highly pressurized environment that needs discipline and organizational skills to meet deadlines and budgets. Every day, construction managers must show effective leadership as they organize personnel and solve unforeseen problems. But construction scheduling managers can significantly improve their performances by using the best construction scheduling software.
What does a Construction Schedule Manager do?
Construction managers have an intense workload. It includes the responsibility for maintaining uninterrupted efficiency during a project’s schedule. They coordinate deliveries of materials to coincide with the completion of specific tasks. Managers ensure hired equipment is available precisely when it’s needed. Supervising large personnel, implementing regulations, and overseeing safety procedures are all in a day’s work. Possessing an excellent sense of timing is crucial. Unwanted delays in a project’s schedule instantly increase the budget and endanger the specified completion date. Using construction scheduling software is a valuable tool for even the most experienced construction manager. It collates a vast array of data, timetables, personnel rotas and even helps with risk assessment.
Advantages of Construction Scheduling Software
There are many software packages available for construction scheduling. Most of them include features specifically designed for construction project management. Using tailored software can streamline a project’s entire schedule. The software helps improve communication, efficiency, and calculating costs. It enables different departments to share their skills and improve problem-solving. The software doesn’t replace the role of construction managers. But its organization of data provides the ultimate in how a manager effectively streamlines and organizes a project. It assists construction scheduling managers in performing to the best of their abilities.
Features of Construction Scheduling Software
There are a couple of features that construction scheduling software’s have, such as:
- Real-Time Function: Regular updating of completed tasks, deliveries, or employee availability provides relevant information throughout the day. It enables a manager to access real-time information at the touch of a button instantly.
- Cloud Storage: The files of an entire project can use cloud storage. It allows the personnel involved in a project to have instant accessibility on any device in any location. In addition, it increases the speed of sharing relevant data and problem-solving while on site.
- Gannt Chart: This is a detailed, color-coded bar chart system to monitor all aspects of a project. The original paper version was created in 1912 by Henry Gannt and has been in use ever since. It’s designed to monitor target dates and specific tasks. It enables managers to streamline coordination within a project to increase efficiency. It also tracks the status of individual tasks or the entire project in real-time.
- Employee Skills: Software can include a detailed database of employee skills, qualifications, and availability within a construction site. It helps a construction scheduling manager locate the right person for a task without any delay.
- Budget Management: Some packages include financial tools to help understand the day-to-day costs of a project. It allows managers to meet specific budgets for materials, services, and wages.
Best Software for Construction Scheduling and Project Management
Construction scheduling managers have an extensive range of software solutions to choose from. Many include essential features such as mobile compatibility for instant and convenient access from any part of the site. Most packages are user-friendly and intuitive to use without the need for specialized training. Here is a selection of some excellent software solutions:
1. Smartsheet
This streamlined software helps to maintain control of all the different areas of a project. Document and file storage is extensive and well-organized. It allows all authorized personnel to access the relevant information exactly when it’s needed. Mobile compatibility ensures access is instant wherever personnel is located within site. It also includes real-time updating for effortless collaboration between departments. Budget monitoring helps supervise the expenses incurred during each phase of the construction. The interface is particularly user-friendly.
2. ProjectManager
This includes detailed Gannt Charts for fast and easy identification of every detail of a project. It also highlights the project’s timescale with start and completion dates. Managers can use the charts to target specific areas where efficiency needs to be improved. Different tasks can be linked to other schedules within the project. Real-time tracking for services and deliveries of essential materials keeps a project running smoothly without interruption. Real-time updating keeps construction scheduling managers informed. Monitoring includes supervision of timelines and the allocation of skilled employees to specialized areas. Financial tools include collating the number of hours worked by individual employees for accurate payment of wages. They also contribute to budget control.
3.CoConstruct
This sophisticated software tool is designed for small-scale projects. The interface has easy navigation with user-friendly controls. It also offers cloud storage and mobile compatibility. It enables easy access to all types of data from any location within the construction site. Real-time tracking helps monitor and coordinate various tasks, deliveries of materials, and equipment hire. There is also a mode for determining the cost of individual projects. A general accounting feature helps with the payment of wages. There is also an efficient customer support service.
4. Procore
Construction schedule managers supervising medium-sized projects are sure to appreciate the features of this software. They include easy accessibility for all personnel. It enables details of tasks within the project to be constantly updated. Supervision and coordination are helped even further by the inclusion of detailed employee data. This highlights each employee’s qualifications, skills, and site location. Managers can quickly assign roles for specific tasks to be completed without delay. Detailed charts and documentation are included to ensure the centralization of data. There are also financial tools for budgeting costs.
5. E-Builder
The cloud-based format of this versatile software package is ideal for planning a project from the beginning. It includes a highly detailed structure making it a suitable choice for those with experience in software management packages. It features instant updating of files, including architectural designs. Mobile compatibility enables the communication between departments for problem-solving during the project. There is real-time monitoring for efficient management of daily tasks. Easy-to-use financial tools can help to provide forecasts of the accumulative costs during the project and on completion.
Conclusion
Using construction scheduling software can help ease the burden of a heavy workload. The software enables construction scheduling managers to coordinate every aspect of a project in real-time. In addition, productivity is increased by incorporating real-time data regarding employee skills and availability.
Construction scheduling software is an essential tool for increasing efficiency at every stage of a project. Instant data sharing through cloud storage improves on-site efficiency. It also helps provide practical solutions to unexpected problems. The best construction scheduling software features Gannt charts, real-time monitoring, and financial tools. It enables managers to excel in reaching targets for completion and budget.
Author bio:
Aaron Donovan is the owner of AD Services Building Contractors, who uses project management software for his construction projects. They help manage all-size projects, as small as bathroom renovations and as large as house extensions.
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