A Comprehensive Guide to Construction Project Management

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 utilising 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 organisations 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.

• Cost Control: Track and manage expenses through purpose-built functionality for budgeting, bidding, and change management.
• Cross-functionality: Manage workflows with notifications and tools that enable all stakeholders and staff to work across departments and construction projects.
• Workflow Automation: Automated processes make tasks such as scheduling and workflow management easier and more efficient.
• Configurability: Combine best practices with customisation options to fit the unique requirements of any construction project.
• Viewing Controls: Birds-eye macro views and comprehensive micro views give users greater control over construction projects at every stage.

Centralisation: One centralised 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.

1. End reliance on tracking spreadsheets

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.

2. Single-source Access

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.

3. Access Controls

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 minimise wasted time and ensure that the proper parties have the right access to the right information.

4. Real-time Information Sharing

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.

5. Financial Tracking and Projections 

A good CPM system gives the project manager and authorised 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.

6. Best Practices Execution

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.

Construction Project Management Software Features

When considering the right construction management software for your firm, understanding the available features is critical for identifying the right solution for your organisation. Take these features into account when searching for your CPM solution.

Scheduling

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. 

• Current and future work schedules, including any recent changes or updates
• Options to view by day, week, and month.
• Standardised Gantt chart with task timetable views
• Project progress indicators
• Real-time updates to identify scheduling disruptions or delays

Workflow Optimisation

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 utilising features such as these.

• Access to information whenever and wherever it's needed
• Secure, reliable viewing of data and workflows
• The ability to approve contractor and vendor documentation

Global Implementation

For organisations 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 customisable and fit the needs of local markets with these capabilities.

• Purpose-built workflows that allow for simple review processes across regions
• Regional-based reporting needs, including quarterly variance reports and property management reporting
• A comprehensive, inclusive income lease management suite, portfolio management, and regional accounting compliance.

Document Management

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.

• Markup and redline setting
• Document check-in and check-out functionality
• Ability to attach image and document files
• Assign files to individual users
• Automatic notifications of document changes
• Improved shareability between users and applications

Accruent’s Lx Projects is a robust construction project management software designed to maximise 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.

Features

Lx Projects offers a powerful suite of features designed to enhance productivity and streamline construction project management. Key features include:

• Advanced mobile app for remote productivity: Boosts efficiency by reducing field errors and improving communication across teams.
• Efficient resource allocation and cost management: Optimises resource use and reduces expenses.
• Comprehensive management of construction and capital improvement processes: Ensures smooth project execution from start to finish.
• Intuitive dashboards with centralised data: Provides easy access to videos, photos, documents, and other critical information.
• Secure and effective team communication: Facilitates seamless and safe information sharing among team members.
• Device-agnostic compatibility: Works with various systems without the need for customisations.

Full offline functionality: Allows on-site work without an internet connection, syncing progress once back online.

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