The Importance of Research When Selecting Construction Software

Did you know that 9 out of 10 construction projects experience cost overruns?

According to research in the International Journal of Innovation, Management and Technology, the majority of construction failures stem from poor project management — and that often starts with rushing critical decisions about the tools and software that run your operations.

After months of discussions and deliberation, you finally have the go-ahead to replace — or introduce — new construction software that is critical to your construction company’s operation. It seems like such a huge victory until you realize that a large amount of work lies ahead of you.

It may sound crazy, but the best thing to do is start at the end — and then move backward in the decision-making process.

Starting at the end means defining where you want to be and how construction software will help you get there.

This helps you avoid the mistake of rushing through the process. Many construction professionals decide on a type of product they need, identify three or four options, and then buy the one that looks “the best.”

Oftentimes, this decision comes down to the presentation of the software during a demonstration and is not always the best fit for their operations.

Key Takeaways For Choosing The Right Software Solutions For The Construction Industry

• Define your goals for the construction software before you begin your research. These will serve as a reminder of the purpose of your research, and help you develop your “deal breakers,” and ensure you select a software that best meets your needs and provides real-time visibility and insights into your project performance.
• Set a realistic deadline for your research, so you give yourself and your team enough time to identify several construction management software solutions that meet your criteria.
• Identify current issues with your processes or software. Create a list of your pain points and keep them in mind during your research.
• Some construction software providers — like Foundation Software — offer a range of integrated software that you can use to build a strong, scalable tech stack.

Develop Clear Software Research Steps

Research is a crucial element in finding the best construction software for your operations.

Before considering any specific product or technology, your research should include the following four key steps:

1) Create a Workable and Realistic Timeframe

Before the construction software “shopping” phase begins, time should be allotted for evaluating needs and processes/procedures that you currently have in place.

In general, the greater the potential investment in construction software, the more time should be allowed for research, selection, and software implementation.

Unrealistic timeframes, particularly when it comes to installation of new construction software and user training, can lead to ineffective purchase decisions.

For example, a general contractor looking to replace their project management software decides in mid-November that he wants to go live on January 1.

Depending on the size of the company, the number of jobs, and other factors, this is probably an unrealistic goal.

And if the product search is limited to only those software vendors, or software companies that can meet the deadline, this contractor could end up with a construction software that does not meet the needs of their construction company.

2) Identify Major Problems and Current Software Deficiencies

Once you’ve established an attainable timeline, review your current processes and software (if applicable).

Problems that you are having now — i.e., your pain points — will help you define exactly what you will need in a new technology product.

Common pain points for construction companies:

• Project management: Missed deadlines, cost overruns, and miscommunication are just a few issues that construction software can address.
• Cost management: Building accurate budgets for construction projects can be challenging, especially by hand or with ill-equipped software.
• Document management: Lost documentation, revisions, and unclear approvals can lead to project delays and significant losses.

If you’ve purchased software in the past, it’s important to assess its shortcomings so you can approach the shopping process with a better idea of your needs this time around.

This will ensure that these deficiencies aren’t present in your next software, that you can deliver projects on time, and that you can make informed decisions based on accurate data.

For example, inadequate job cost features in an entry level accounting software cause much pain for a growing contractor.

A thorough evaluation reveals that the system lacks the capacity to handle multi-state payrolls, prevailing wage payrolls, AIA progress billings and change orders, which a construction accounting software could address.

3) Determine Valuable Features that Must Be Kept

When replacing an unproductive operational strategy, you certainly want to ensure that your new investment includes the construction company software features or services that you value most and will improve your business operations.

You can’t assume that new programs will duplicate what you are now using.

Let’s say your construction business depends on a detailed billing format which comes standard with your old accounting software.

If this is a must-have feature of your new construction accounting software, you’ll want to make sure that all products you are considering offer a similar format.

In addition to the specifics, don’t forget about the bigger picture. It’s important to keep a few things in mind like:

• Customer support
• Ease of use
• Integration capabilities
• Implementation timeline

For many construction companies, researching construction software tech stacks that feature integrated construction software is crucial because it can help them develop a long-term software plan as their company evolves.

4) Examine the Products that Meet Your Criteria

Finally, it is time to examine these products closely. Ask to see product demonstrations, talk to contractors using the applications, consult with industry experts, and do everything you need to do to narrow your search and come up with your “best-fit” product.

Common criteria include:

• Cloud-based software
• A dedicated support team
• Customization
• Data security
• Real-time reporting

By assessing software options with these criteria in mind, you can ensure that each software program you consider supports a smooth transition.

Keep Your Construction Company Top of Mind

We can all agree that research is essential to new technology purchases. So why not spend the time researching not just new software platforms available but also your own company’s needs and where you’d like to be?

It may take longer to get there, but the journey will be well worth it. You’ll end up with technology products that perform more efficiently and increase your company’s profitability — like Foundation Software’s product line.

Foundation offers a range of construction software, including:

• FOUNDATION® (construction accounting software)
• Payroll4Construction (construction payroll service)
• hrHQ (construction human resources software)
• SafetyHQ® (construction safety software)
• ProjectHQ (construction project management software)
• WorkMax (construction time tracking software)
• The EDGE® and McCormick (construction estimating software)

Foundation’s products create a tech stack that evolves with the needs of your construction company, so you have a long-term, reliable software toolbox.

If you want to learn more, talk to a specialist today!