How Technology is Putting the Right Project Management Tools in Contractors’ Hands

Having the right project management tools in place is a must for every construction team. For generations, project managers operated with paper forms and pens (or pencils), large blueprints and spec sheets, calculators, and later spreadsheets. While some contractors today are still using these rudimentary tools, most have adopted the newer forms of project management tools and technologies as they became available. 

Project managers have also been faced with issues when it comes to project invoices and financials. When spending money on equipment, materials and labor, it is important for project managers to have the tools to see the daily job costs. With disconnected software, this is not available in a timely manner, and with a lack of visibility, construction project managers often find themselves over budget. This, in turn, creates problems for other departments, particularly for executives, as they work to make decisions for the company and are limited in their ability to understand the complete financial picture.

Realizing this disconnect, several third-party project management software vendors have made moves to connect their systems with accounting, ERP and other construction software — including Viewpoint’s solutions. However, these separate systems — even when connected via APIs — never work as smoothly as one may think. Due to inconsistent mapping issues and manual data processes, more is lost than gained. While these applications claim they can integrate seamlessly with Viewpoint’s solutions, that integration often only occurs one way, meaning project managers and field teams still struggle with getting timely, accurate financial data when they need it. Additionally, manual entry is often needed to keep separate systems in sync.

Achieving A Single Source of Project Management Truth

The answer lies with cloud-based, integrated construction software. With our Trimble Construction One suite of connected construction solutions, for instance, both the back office and project managers have access to all of the real-time project management information and workflow they need to get the job done.

We know that submittals, RFIs, daily logs, forms, and so many other processes are at the top of every project manager’s list of needs when it comes to operations software. To give project managers these tools, ProjectSight, Trimble Construction One's collaborative project management solution, provides contractors and their extended project teams with a single access point for project data, as well as the workflows that tie together the field and office.

Viewpoint also recognizes the need for project managers to have the tools to manage subcontractors, complete purchase and change orders, as well as access project billing and cost controls. With Viewpoint’s operations application, construction project managers are provided the tools they need to manage the financial side of the project as well, including accurate job cost projections and WIP reports. With Viewpoint’s field tools, crews and subcontractors also have the opportunity to truly work in a mobile environment.

They can access up-to-date documentation and information, gather vital project data like labor, equipment and materials in the field and automatically sync with the back to the office.

As project management tools have greatly evolved over the past several years, the benefits of an integrated software system have become obvious. The integrated functionality of a single, integrated software suite means contractors can work faster and smarter, building higher-quality projects that are ultimately more profitable. To learn more about how Viewpoint can provide your project managers with the tools they need to get the job done, contact us here.