Construction inefficiencies are common, but that doesn’t mean they are acceptable. It is no secret that inefficiencies across any industry can kill profits and skewer timelines.
For these reasons and more, it’s essential to identify how inefficiency is impacting your company and take purposeful steps to combat it. Here are some common causes of inefficiency in the construction industry and how to improve productivity with project management software.
How to Improve Construction Productivity
Productivity is defined by the American Association of Cost Engineers as a “relative measure of labor efficiency … when compared to an established base or norm.” When a construction project is not handled efficiently, it can lead to a drop in productivity. This can, in turn, lead to a drop in profit.
Since a majority of the construction industry’s inefficiency stems from reworking projects, it stands to reason that focusing on managing construction projects effectively is one of the most important things you can do to keep projects on track. If you know or suspect that your construction team has some inefficiencies, it’s important to correct them.
What Is Construction Project Management?
Construction project management involves coordinating and directing resources (both material and human types) through the duration of a project by using certain management techniques. Construction management helps determine the timeline, cost, scope and quality of a finished project.
Here are some of the key aspects involved with each construction project:
- Specification of the objective and plans involved with a project, including scheduling, budgeting, project participant responsibilities, and overall scope of the project.
- Procurement and utilization of equipment, labor and materials to meet the project’s predetermined scope, schedule and plan.
- Implementation of the project’s design, construction and contracting.
- Development of techniques and communications to resolve problems and conflicts.
- Addressing risk management in construction projects.
These are all important components of a good construction project management approach. Fortunately, there is construction management software designed to enhance site efficiency and make it easier than ever before to track projects and avoid unnecessary inefficiencies.
Common Causes of Construction Inefficiencies
Most inefficiencies in the construction industry can be traced to one or more of the following root causes.
Poor Communication
Communication is essential in the construction industry. Without healthy communication, confusion can abound on the job site and lead to mistakes or simply inaction. Any project delays caused by poor communication can easily be avoided by ensuring all parties involved with the project are kept informed on the scope of work required, individual responsibilities, and design changes.
Poor Planning
Without a plan, any project is likely to fall apart and require some reworking. Planning should be the first and most important step taken when starting a new project. There are many different pieces that need to be included in the plan, including:
- Inspectors
- Project owners
- Subs
- General contractors
- Designers
- Suppliers
- Financing lenders
- Engineers
It can be challenging to get all of these different parties to come together and plan a successful project, but it needs to happen so inefficiencies can be avoided.
Lack of Technology Usage
Technology may not be popular with “old-school” workers in the construction industry, but it can help keep projects on track and construction cost control. Consider how technology has made the process of drawing and sharing plans much easier and more efficient than the old method of paper plans.
Insufficient Access to Skilled Labor
The construction industry has a strong need for more skilled construction labor. Projects are more likely to get messed up or take longer than needed when you have to rely on a crew that is inexperienced.
Use Technological Advances in Construction Industry To Keep Your Projects on Track
To combat the many challenges leading to inefficiencies in the construction industry, use technological advancements such as project management software to keep your projects on track and your workers on task. Appropriate construction technology can go a long way toward automating the construction management process so it’s easier to implement effectively. Here are a few specific ways project management software can help increase productivity on the job site.
Incorporate Building Information Modeling
Building information modeling is also known as BIM. It provides you with digital mockups of buildings before you begin any physical construction. This software helps general contractors and their subs see how a building will look before they spend any capital on it. Using this software, general contractors and subcontractors can figure out the most efficient way of tackling the project.
Improve the Planning Stage of Your Projects
Using construction software to plan a project can help ensure that no important aspects of the project are overlooked in its beginning stages. Though planning can seem cumbersome, it’s arguably the most important part of any successful project. Project management software can help ensure that this portion of your project is done well.
Track Worker Productivity
Project management software makes it possible for any project manager to glean important information about worker productivity and time spent on the job. This tool makes it easy to identify areas that can be improved upon. It also gives project managers information necessary to give workers insight on how to boost productivity and manage their time more effectively.
Improve Communications
When communication is strong throughout a project, unnecessary project delays and mistakes can be avoided. Project management software makes communication between workers and management a much easier and more automated process.
Generate and Analyze Data
You can’t fix a problem if you don’t know it exists. Implementing a punch list workflows can provide you with insightful data about areas of high construction project efficiency as well as low construction project efficiency. With this data, you can make changes to how projects are planned and constructed to improve timelines and reduce reworks.
Project management software that has a central database is very useful for collecting field data when it isn’t feasible or practical to keep hard copies of such records filed away in a cabinet. It helps bring essential data to the user’s attention within seconds. Analyzing this data can give project managers and general contractors a comprehensive view of what happens during each stage of a construction project. This, in turn, gives decision-makers a chance to make changes as necessary to avoid delays or mistakes.
Improve Your Project Timelines and Profits With Project Management Software
Improved construction efficiency is something every general contractor longs for but may not know how to achieve. Project management software is specifically designed to improve project productivity and avoid mistakes and delays. It also helps eliminate timesheets, bid management, paperwork, and other tasks known to consume a lot of time.
To try a user-friendly workflow automation platform today for free, contact Fluix. We look forward to helping you keep your projects on track and your workers engaged.
