Technology has brought the need for efficiency at construction sites. Consequently, project managers have adopted applications which enable them to work not only remotely, but also control the work tasks and workers. As such, the conventional punch lists, Excel spreadsheets and email are slowly being phased out.
Transparent Reporting
Tracking work and reporting on progress helps keep job site communication transparent. Project managers are able to compile a running list of data analyzed and formatted into reports through the application. Construction apps can also let managers know immediately when employees arrive on site. That same technology comes in handy in the monitoring of building materials. The project manager is able to approve construction schedules, take down any issues and indicate when work is complete. The data input, aside from tabulating the project progress, will give a projection of the completion of
the same.
Project Meetings
With multiple parties invested in the success of construction projects, meetings are inevitable. Organizing a meeting used to be easier, simply because most projects were local endeavors. Now it is common practice for a project’s owner, construction manager, general contractor and subcontractors to all be located in different cities, across the country. Thankfully, technology makes these projects possible by getting all the necessary parties in the same room, virtually.
Real-Time Updates
Project managers can update the punch list in real time and assign work to the correct subcontractor immediately. When workers are able to access and edit information on-site, they have the most up-to-date information available. The information is always there and always up to date. In situations where procrastination is necessitated probably due to a backlog of materials, the project manager shall be aware. This prevents wastage as well as ensuring time management.
Efficient Task Lists
The allocation of tasks and sharing status updates between subcontractors and project managers is important at a job site. This is because it means the difference between a property being finished on time and a project delayed and filled with unresolved problems. The technology also allows project managers to sift through various projects. Through it they are able to manage task lists and create reports by specific task types.
Time Tracking
In the old days, workers clocked in and clocked out with their time cards, so supervisors knew when they got there and how many hours they worked. But they didn’t get any information about what the workers were doing during those hours, which caused nightmares for the accountants trying to determine regular vs. overtime pay. With the introduction of technology, it is easy for workers to record real-time details of when they are working and what they are doing, by using mobile apps, phone calls, text messages, etc. And there are bilingual options to avoid errors due to language barriers. Some of the available apps take the ‘when and what’ aspect further by using GPS to record ‘where’ as well. While location-tracking can improve accountability, compliance reporting, and resource allocation.
