Construction scheduling software is essential for the smooth processing of projects which usually include many complexities. There are very few universal solutions, however. In this post, we’ll give you some tips on evaluating the various construction scheduling programs out there. This will help you find the very best solution for you!
10 Factors to Evaluate Construction Scheduling Software
#1. Compatibility with Your Existing Tech Stack
Chances are, you’ve already spent a substantial amount of time and money incorporating various software packages into your company’s workflow.
Unless you’re having major problems with those systems, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel when shopping for construction project scheduling software. Your wallet will thank you, as will the employees that actually have to utilize the software you choose.
Most construction scheduling software makers list integrations prominently on their website, so you should have no problem conducting this research before buying. Look for actual integrations rather than just an API unless you have capable developers in-house that can hook things up for you.
#2. Mobile Friendliness
Construction resource scheduling software needs to be mobile-friendly. This is especially true in the age of COVID when jobs are frequently managed from out of the office.
Software that tethers users to a computer (especially one connected to a local network rather than the cloud) puts your company at a significant disadvantage. You’ll have a constantly-outdated understanding of where your project stands, which will cost you a significant amount of money and effort.
#3. Security
As companies increasingly move online, hackers are having a field day. That’s why you need to prioritize security with any software you bring into your company, including construction scheduling programs.
The best construction scheduling software will include industry-standard security features that protect your company’s information. Before incorporating any program, ask the sales rep about items such as:
- firewalls
- penetration testing
- tokenization
- obfuscation
- two-factor authentication
These will save you from costly breaches.
#4. Reputation
Construction is a big industry, but it’s also tightly-knit. When shopping for construction project scheduling software, you’ll very quickly notice that a few names jump out thanks to their stellar reputation.
The reason you should take reputation seriously when it comes to shopping for construction scheduling software is simple. If companies similar to yours have had a solid experience with a particular program, chances are you will too!
#5. Support
Even the best construction resource scheduling software has occasional bugs or glitches that need to be resolved. Companies with a reliable support team will address these concerns promptly.
The best way to gauge whether a software company has sturdy support is to look for reviews from its longtime customers. It’s hard to spot potential issues for yourself as a new customer since companies will typically put on their best face when dealing with prospects. You want to find out how the support holds up a year down the line.
#6. Cost
While there are some decent free construction scheduling software programs, the most robust options are typically paid. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t shop for deals on software, though. After all, the budget is a major determining factor for most companies when choosing new technology to implement.
You should consider not just the monthly cost but also how many licenses the software comes with. Particularly, ask yourself whether the number of licenses will be enough to support your company if it grows as projected over the next few years.
Plenty of programs are cheap enough when you only need one or two licenses but quickly become prohibitively expensive the more licenses you need.
#7. Ease of Use
While any software will come with a learning curve, getting the program to do what you want should never be an uphill battle. The best construction scheduling software, in particular, is easy to use since so many people will rely on it in one way or another.
Spend some time playing around with the software before you purchase. Don’t just rely on the manufacturer’s demo videos – actually get in there and start clicking around!
#8. Input from Stakeholders
Make sure you get input from the workers who will spend the most time using your software of choice daily. Decisions made solely by higher-ups often leave the hands-on workers feeling ignored and working with a program that doesn’t fully meet their needs.
While higher-ups certainly have their place in the discussions, the people that have been hired to do a particular job that depends on a particular program should have a say, too.
#9. Specificity
There are so many different general scheduling programs out there. Think software like Asana or Monday. These programs often fall short in the construction industry; however, companies in this space have scheduling needs beyond those of other organizations.
With so many construction scheduling software programs to choose from, there’s really no need to settle for something generic.
#10. What You’re Looking to Schedule
Are you primarily scheduling people? Equipment? Other resources? All of the above?
The right software will depend on your answer. Some programs have great all-around resource scheduling features that will cater to various situations, while others have their strong suits.
This goes back to playing around with the software before you settle on it. Doing so will help you figure out whether the program actually does what you need it to do efficiently.
Be sure to test various programs as well if the first one doesn’t do exactly what you want it to do.
Conclusion:
Construction scheduling software is precious for keeping construction projects moving. You must choose the right software since a poor fit will cost you time, effort, and money.
We hope this article has been useful in providing you with some tips for evaluating scheduling software effectively.
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