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For contractors keeping a job on time and under budget is critical. Realtime construction scheduling information is vital to effectively manage a project.
If the foundation work is three days behind schedule, more than one contractor is affected. The project manager needs to know about the delay, so steps can be taken to manage the problem. He needs access to an up-to-date version of the construction schedule to determine how the delay will affect other aspects of the work. Armed with accurate information, work can be rescheduled and manpower reassigned.
Many contractors don't have access to realtime information; instead they rely on phone calls, faxes, and emails. Unfortunately, most information is not realtime and that makes it much more difficult to make good realtime decisions. Some builders use scheduling tools that are single-user-single-location focused, meaning one person can view and track the project from one location; but it's not accessible to the rest of the project team and the information is only available at one location, which is not always where it's needed.
“Many contractors manage their schedules either in their head or by using single-user-single-location systems. The real cost of lost productivity, miscommunication, mistakes, and delays cost businesses far more than they realize. Not to mention the long hours and stress," says Craig Harte, cofounder and president of BuildIT Systems.
Harte was recently interviewed about the significant value of Web-based scheduling tools for project management. “Web based systems allow all project information to be accessed in realtime from anywhere, by anyone with permission to see it. Businesses that use web based systems have huge advantages over their competitors. We've seen small businesses grow fast, without a lot of pain, because everyone on the project team has access to information when they need it. And web based systems don't have the headaches normally associated with technology – back ups, virus protection, and upgrades are all automatic. Additionally, users receive email and pager alerts when tasks are completed, new tasks added, or changes made to the schedule.
A construction project typically includes hundreds of tasks performed by a wide number of companies. Project delays are seldom isolated and almost always affect other parts of a project. Every contractor has felt the “domino effect." As a result, there can be significant differences between the planned schedule and the actual schedule. But access to realtime information makes it much easier for the project manager to alter a schedule as he becomes aware of delays or other problems.
With integration and collaboration, mobile users have instant access to their files and important documents while on the go. When you us an internet based solution it doesn't matter how or from where you access your business, it's always the same.
It is like having a global database at your fingertips when you need it. No more misplaced business cards, scribbled out numbers, outdated address books or complicated mail merges.
Realtime information also offers value beyond the jobsite. “Ultimately, web based systems are a management tool that benefit everyone including the project team, the company, and the customer," concluded Harte.
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