7 Ways to Improve Construction Management Workflows

Building any construction project requires a very detailed and intricate process. Missing one step can increase the chances of rework and can yield cost and time overruns, thus causing financial loss and project delays. Managing any construction project smoothly requires a lot of multitasking, team coordination, and well-planned processes. Hence, construction businesses need to improve their construction management workflows to ensure smooth and on-time project delivery. But what exactly are construction management workflows and how can you improve construction workflow?

Let us uncover that in this blog today!

 

The Basics of Construction Management Workflow

In simple words, construction workflow is the roadmap which guides your entire construction project. It is like an outline of step-by-step instructions involved with details like who is responsible for which task, and how the information is being flown between different times like office and site. 

 

What are Construction Workflows?

The coordination of a construction project is known as Construction Workflow. It involves guaranteeing seamless information and task info among stakeholders, a critical aspect of project management in construction. Efficiently managing construction workflows is essential, as it minimises inefficiencies, streamlines processes, and enhances construction quality. With numerous construction firms overseeing complex projects globally, there’s a growing necessity to automate their construction workflows.

A well-defined construction workflow promotes: 

• Reduced Errors – Detailedly steps can ensure that all project-related tasks are completed and corrected in the first go, thereby reducing the rework
• Efficiency – Having great visibility of processes reduces time and effort wastage 
• No cost overruns – Defining clear ownership and accountability of each task minimises the cost overruns and makes sure that your project managers are following the construction management workflow 
• Enhanced Collaboration – Everyone involved in the project and process understands their role clearly and how it contributes to the timely completion of the project
• Improved Communication – Streamlined communication channels prevent confusion and delays 

 

5 Reasons Why You Must Work on Your Construction Workflows?

 

 

Construction is a fast-paced industry and every minute counts. There is no room for project delays as they come with a massive cost. The construction workflow plays a major role in contributing the success of your construction project, from project planning to execution. Here are 5 crucial reasons why you must work on your construction workflows:

 

• Enhanced Productivity: 

Having a streamlined workflow reduces downtime and reworks, and enhances the productivity level. With an optimised workflow, you can deliver your projects on time without compromising on quality. Therefore, it also helps you build a better brand image in the industry. 

 

• Saving Money: 

The wastage of construction materials and resources can be minimised if the workflows are perfectly set and followed diligently by the project managers and the site team. It can lead to a significant reduction in cost and you can have a healthier bottom line for your construction projects. 

 

• Mitigate Risks: 

Well-defined workflows help identify potential risks early on, allowing for proactive mitigation strategies. By addressing issues promptly, you can prevent costly setbacks and maintain project timelines.

 

• Client Satisfaction: 

Every client values on-time delivery and quality work. By having optimised construction workflows, you can exceed your client’s expectations which can lead to higher satisfaction levels and potential referrals. 

 

• Competitive Advantage: 

In a competitive industry, efficiency will certainly set you apart. Construction businesses that prioritise workflow optimisation demonstrate reliability and professionalism, attracting more clients and opportunities.

 

How To Improve Construction Management Workflows?

Anyone who has ever tried to manage a to-do list knows that a chaotic approach is not the best. A planned workflow is essential to efficiently manage multiple tasks among people. The same principle applies to construction sites. It all comes down to workflow. If you don’t think about efficiency in construction workflows, your project could face many problems.

Your crew may complete masonry in record time on one project, but they do it differently on the next and are way behind schedule. This inconsistency can be frustrating and costly. 

The solution?  

Construction Workflows. Making your projects more efficient is possible by learning how to implement construction workflow. They are often simple to implement, and you can create a process that allows you to do things smoothly and makes them more efficient.

Ultimately, construction management is all about creating workflows. So, let us first understand what construction management workflow means.  

 

7 ways to improve construction management workflows

Here are 7 ways using which you can improve your construction management workflows: 

1. You can create customisable workflows

Each construction project is unique. While most construction projects follow the same schedule, the workflows of each one should be customised to suit the build process. You can create the steps and grant access to the tools to attach them to your project. The process and workflow of a project can be customised to suit your work style. It’s easier to see which stage of the process work is being done and if it’s moving according to plan.

 

 

2. Make a Communication Flow Diagram

Communication is essential in every construction project. Before any groundwork can begin, it is crucial to have a consistent flow of communication. All stakeholders, including suppliers and civil engineers on the ground, should be included in the communication flowchart. Clear and transparent communication will facilitate the entire process. It will also reduce the number of phone calls and emails.

3. Centralise and standardise data of the project

The data generated by construction projects is huge. To run a project effectively, you must  organise, manage, distribute, and analyse the data properly. Project participants have access to relevant information from a single source at all stages of a project’s life cycle. 

 

Centralized data means putting all the information in one place so everyone can access it easily. The Project Manager needs to write down rules for how to use this data so people can understand and communicate better during construction. For good teamwork and organisation, it’s important to have a single place where you can store all the project information. This helps to keep things consistent between different projects and teams.

4. Never stop planning continuously

It’s important for project managers to plan things before they start building anything. you should keep updating and improving your plans until the you finish your project. This involves a lot of detailed planning for each stage of the construction project, from designing to getting materials, and everything in between.

 

 

Sometimes, we need to change plans when new things happen. Even small changes can affect how long something takes. But we can plan with some flexibility to avoid this.

5. Observe and ask questions

Different things happening in the field can affect the whole construction project. Sometimes, managers need to see problems themselves before fixing them.

Today, construction companies use drones to check their sites and see progress. Drones can go to places that are hard for people to reach or are too dangerous. They take pictures and videos and send them to the people in charge. Companies also use laser scanners and LiDAR technology to track progress.

Even with the best technology, managing a project well means always learning and getting better. Technology keeps changing in construction.

6. Integrate workflows with other systems

Connecting workflows lets different programs share information easily. This makes work faster, reduces mistakes, saves time, and makes us more productive.

7. Use automated reporting

Automated reporting systems are a great way to reduce the workload by reducing long telephone calls and answering many emails simultaneously.

 

 

Many software solutions for construction project management allow the timely distribution and reporting of spreadsheets and status reports. This automation allows managers to ensure that the right reports are sent to the correct people at the right time. Other reporting systems, such as safety and health management systems, can also be used to prevent worksite accidents and streamline operations.

These strategies will ensure the completion of construction project on time.

 

Powerplay, a construction workflow management software

 

 

Powerplay is a construction management workflow software available on Android, iOS, and Web. Using Powerplay to improve your construction management workflow is one of the key steps in delivering your construction projects on time and within budget. It helps construction owners to keep track of project progress and budget management, project managers to check the tasks and materials, and site engineers to update their daily progress reports in a click. 

Specially made for the construction business, Powerplay is designed to improve construction management workflows by enabling streamlined communication, project tracking, automated reporting, material and labour management, and vendor payables. Using Powerplay construction workflow many construction business owners have saved up to 7% of their operational cost and increased their productivity by 30%. By optimising their project workflows, some Powerplay customers also save up to 60+ hours each month. 

Powerplay is an easy-to-use construction management application which is also available in various Indian languages so that it can be seamlessly used by even the people at the construction site.

 

Conclusion

By implementing these elements and continually refining your construction management workflow, you lay a strong foundation for project success. Remember, a well-defined workflow is a work in progress. Adapt it to your specific project needs, embrace new technologies, and prioritise clear communication for a smooth-running construction journey.