Why do so Many Construction Projects go Over Budget?
It may feel like out-of-control costs are unavoidable in construction and project management – but they don't have to be. Here's how to fix the ...
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Discover the key aspects and benefits of construction project management, including essential features and top software solutions. Learn how to streamline projects, improve efficiency, and ensure successful project delivery.
Table of contents
Our helpful guide covers everything you need to know about construction project management tools, including their benefits and how best to take advantage of them.
Construction project management (CPM) is the practice of overseeing all aspects of a construction project throughout the construction lifecycle, from the drafting stage to project completion. CPM involves the coordination of planning and building efforts, managing costs, and meeting deadlines
One of the greatest assets a company can invest in is property construction. Whether starting from scratch or renovating an existing building, construction projects can deliver a transformative effect on a business and greatly increase the property value. Property management efforts direct activities to deliver quality results on time and under budget.
This guide covers everything you need to know about utilizing construction project management software to help you make informed decisions for investing in the CPM tools that meet your specific needs.
Construction project management software or CPM software is a collection of software tools that provide companies with a dedicated project management platform, such as Accruent's Lx Projects. Created specifically for directing the planning, design, and execution of a construction project, it offers a comprehensive view of the entire construction process, from start to finish.
Construction project management software is designed with tools that benefit anyone who engages in any part of construction efforts. Whoever takes part in construction projects can use CPM software, such as project managers, architects, builders, engagement teams, and other stakeholders.
As the construction industry and organizations continue to grow, general project management tools often don't meet the specific needs of construction enterprises. Companies turn to CPM software because it offers functionality that directly ties to the unique demands of construction project management. These capabilities and many others make a powerful construction management platform essential to any construction project.
Centralization: One centralized tool kit empowers all parties to stay on the same page as they work.
In addition to the many capabilities of a construction project management solution like Accruent's Lx Project, CPM systems can significantly reduce project costs through greater efficiency. Construction project managers and project teams can also enjoy numerous other advantages such as these.
A comprehensive CPM software provides numerous tools that meet the complexities of the construction project management process. While spreadsheets can do the job, a CPM can support construction site financials, approvals, and conditional workflows throughout each construction phase, which would be more time-consuming and labor-intensive using a spreadsheet program.
With its ability to scale across functions, CPM software gives every team on a construction project access to one system, ensuring that everyone has the same information in real time. Whether a project is experiencing unexpected construction delays or everything is moving along ahead of schedule and under budget, everyone from the construction project manager to team members on the ground can access details to inform their next steps.
Construction project management systems enable administrators to grant access to different features based on their job duties. These access restrictions keep sensitive data secure, simplify workflows, and reduce clutter to minimize wasted time and ensure that the proper parties have the right access to the right information.
An effective project management platform can eliminate errors due to poor communication by employing cloud-based functionality to expand access to the system. Cloud-sharing enables construction teams, project managers, and other project participants to view information wherever they are, from the construction site to an off-site office or elsewhere. Real-time updates and automatic syncing keep records up-to-date, saving time and ensuring critical information isn't lost in transit.
A good CPM system gives the project manager and authorized project participants control over budgeting challenges. Financial tools enable users to manage budgeting and scheduling challenges, ensuring all financial and construction activities from the planning phase to completion remain on the correct path and within the project's scope.
An effective construction management software solution can improve efficiency and quality through workflow templates and expert guidance. Configurable built-in workflow management enables construction professionals to deliver a successful construction project while complying with regulations.
When considering the right construction management software for your firm, understanding the available features is critical for identifying the right solution for your organization. Take these features into account when searching for your CPM solution.
The ability to integrate work calendars and timetables across an entire project helps reduce confusion, conflicts, and construction project delays that could impede delivery as a project progresses. CPM software should be able to do this by highlighting elements such as these.
Being able to pinpoint where a team is in a workflow provides critical updates on progress throughout the entire project and identifies next steps. CPM software can give users insights into the different construction workflow stages, from beginning to end utilizing features such as these.
For organizations that operate globally, it's essential to have a construction project management tool that can be deployed wherever they are in the world. Such a solution should be customizable and fit the needs of local markets with these capabilities.
It's crucial to be able to access construction plans, share data, and ensure that stakeholders are reviewing the right information. Integrated document management ensures these capabilities.
Accruent’s Lx Projects is a robust construction project management software designed to maximize remote productivity, streamline project management, and access critical data for informed decision-making. This software provides an all-in-one solution for managing new retail constructions, grand openings, and capital improvement projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.
Lx Projects offers a powerful suite of features designed to enhance productivity and streamline construction project management. Key features include:
Full offline functionality: Allows on-site work without an internet connection, syncing progress once back online.
Explore Accruent for construction projects and real estate transaction management solutions to help your organization effortlessly manage renovations or new projects. For more information, reach out to our team today to get you started
Firms typically employ a construction project manager to oversee construction activities and vendor relations to ensure a construction project is completed on time, under budget, and to a client's satisfaction. This position usually involves working closely with clients and construction crews.
Construction project management is effectively project management specific to construction. There's no real difference between the two where a building project is involved. Firms might use different terms for the same responsibility level, like "project manager", "CPM", "construction project manager", or simply "manager".
While they may sound similar, these positions fulfill distinctly different roles. Construction managers oversee on-the-ground activities, working closely with work crews to ensure the job is being done right. The construction manager reports to the project manager who works closely with clients to ensure the project meets customer expectations.
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