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Ten Things to Consider when Considering Project Management Software

We are gonna talk a bit more on how new technologies and project management software are capable of helping your company do it’s job at a efficient pace, this will also make your more resourceful with your work.

A lot of executives are working with old project management software systems, mostly because they think they don’t have any other option. In 2015 JBKnolwedge put out a report called Construction Technology, in this it states that the majority of construction companies found it “important” or “very important,” to be able to have calculating abilities on their project sites.

Companies have a lot choices they can decide from. You could pick from a cloud-based ERP program, or a project management software that would allow you to have all the information online in the matter of seconds. The report by JBKnowledge says that more company executives are using programs that have to be downloaded instead of the cloud-based programs. Some of these downloaded programs will use a secret system that connects you with your information through a “third-party technology system.” The report also states that more companies are deciding to go with the apps you can put on your phone because they are easier to use when inputting information on the work site.

We are seeing more and more systems and bundles that are reducing greatly. The report by JBKnowledge says: “In 2012 and 2013, most contractors were using up to six different software applications. In 2014 and 2015, that number dropped to an average of three applications used daily.” We see these things happening because the ERP base performance works with a lot of different businesses.

Retire Your Assets

As the project management software continues to advance and grow in its appearance and performance sections, shouldn’t that mean that the cost for them goes up?
Yes, yes it does, but companies that already have the most current programs will tell you that it is certainly worth every penny!

Scott B Williams stated: “Technology, when used correctly, makes everyone on site and in the office more efficient. If a $1,000 software solutions saves a 10 person steel crew an hour on site, it has already paid for itself.”

When looking at the JBKnowledge report we found that the main reason companies are not updating their systems right away is because of their estimations, the second reason is absence of employees. Most companies do not have a lot of staff to begin with, mostly just the people that they need, when having a new system you need to make sure you have people around to fix it if there are unforeseen problems, you need extra employees to cover your employees so that they can take the accurate amount of time to learn the proper use of any new system.

Commitment, this is what the company will need when deciding to update their project management software. There is going to come a day when your company is going to need the most current systems in order for your company to remain a competitor against others. Everyone in your company is going to have to commit and make sure they are welcoming the new system with happy thoughts and positive attitudes, otherwise the system will not strive in your company.

Hunter C Bailey had recently said, “It has been worth the investment for our company, we are still learning ways to be more efficient with it, but it has already dramatically improved our operations. And there is help readily available to guide us through everything.”

The Project Management Software Agenda

Once your company has decided they want to move forward with the new system your executives will have to get together and figure out what you want out of the new system. In 2015 there was a survey taken, called the Capterra survey. This survey showed us the top three must haves for companies when getting new systems. The top answer was performance, second was making sure the system is easy to use and understand, and last was cost.

Thinking of everything that was said above, below I have a few interesting questions about appearance and performance that you should either ask or keep in mind when looking at new programs.

Is the system user friendly?
You want the system to be straightforward and share information with each person that is related to them. Is the system uncluttered? Is searching through the system direct? Do your control panels, networks, graphs, and other appearances help make evaluating your information painless?

How clear-cut is creating a future job?
Will the system effortlessly upload budgets and projects that are easily made, which can let your workers start the project right away?

Will the new system greatly lessen production and manage time?
Does the new system shorten the chance of having information inputted multiple times (double and triple entries), does it make for a smooth workflow?

Does the system combine well with your financial department?
Does the system your company is looking at allow for the information to bounce between the actual job site and the financial procedures? Can it maneuver information between investment orders and clients contracts; manage AIA and equipment totals; assist with present time project amounts, WIP, and so much more?

Will the program help build a dependable format throughout the whole business?
Along with combining with the financial side, will the system give a dependable base for information from all divisions (equipment, HR, supplies, etc.) making sure everything is reliable, and will this allow for all of your employees (whether they are on the job field or in the office) to use all the same information?

Are documents and any other demands simply developed?
When demands are altered, or shipments need to be altered, RFIs, or if there are delegations, can all of these be designed swiftly and easily? If there are certain assignments that need to be completed, are there proper notifications and alarms to let the proper people know so that the jobs can keep moving forward?

Can information be easily inputted or looked at while at the job site?
If your job executive can connect with the information while on the work site through their phones (with apps on them), a laptop, tablet, or any other technology they may be able to connect with on, wouldn’t this mean they can properly manage the project from anywhere?

Does your Project Management Software Strengthen Teamwork?
In your company, is it up to one person to pass along all of the data to everybody, for the entire job going on? Wouldn’t you rather have a system that makes sure your entire team is immediately made aware of any adjustments being made in the job, in the time someone has to arrive to work, if the deadline gets moved up, or if there are hazards or problems that may have popped up?

Can it Adequately Maintain Construction Forms?
Are there certain forms that older performances will combine the form with another piece of information (that it may belong with, but you are unaware of this) and different systems in the program?

Will the Software be Backed Up and be Able to be Expanded on as the Times Change?
Will there be dependable cleaning and protection system in the program, and how well was it created to adjust as the technology grows and changes in times to come?

Lastly, I would like to throw in an extra thought for you, what will your company end up with if you looked at retiring your assets?
If you can grasp your system in the right way it will end up making your company so much money (from being helpful) that it pays itself off. The best project management software you can get for your company would be one that is easy for everyone to use, simple to connect to, makes your jobs run smoothly, helps your company save time and money, and reduce any mistakes. With this software your projects become shorter, and more efficient, it will help you turn your clients into repeat clients and bump your company above all other competitors.

http://www.dexterchaney.com/blog/construction-project-management-on-the-cutting-edge-part-5-10-things-to-consider-when-considering-project-management-software

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