Project management needs

Software needs are defined by the nature of the project. In some cases the combination of tasks for project management is extensive, and that’s where possible problems arise with project software.

Anyone who’s ever tried “mix and match” with professional software will know that sometimes it’s a real horror story:

• Big documents may not even load.
• Some software really can’t handle the huge data loads that construction projects naturally generate. They’re not designed for it, and can actually lose data in the process.
• Document quality with off-the-shelf software can be mediocre, and need to be reformatted. That creates more work, per document, than can possibly be justified.
• Trying to work with 3D CAD specifications that won’t run on some software is a real trial of patience. It can also waste a lot of time.
• Doing reports using multiple forms of software is likely to be a nightmare at best. It’s an incredibly slow, counterproductive process.

An integrated construction project management software solution is the only reliable approach. All the project software is designed to work together.

Covering all the angles- The 360 degree approach

Construction project management software can be customized and configured to the needs of a project. That’s invaluable, in terms of efficiently setting up things like administration, accounts, and other software.

Special project needs can be tailored into a package. This is particularly useful for project managers who may have multiple roles in their own jobs, and need to cover several operational bases with their information systems.

Construction project management

For project managers, access to information at all levels is essential. Construction project management involves a continuous data stream of often complex professional information.

The data stream may include use of:

• Construction software
• 3D software
• 3D modeling
• Engineering drawing
• Drafting software
• Architectural drafting
• Construction planning software
• Site management software

Add to this administration systems, reporting, and accounts, and you can see why purpose-built, high quality software is the only real option.

Cost effective project management with software

Integrated project management software provides an ongoing cost saving across the spectrum of operational and administrative functions of construction projects. The integrated system dramatically improves workflow volumes. There are no “technical issues” obstructing project management performance.

Support and backups when you need them

Construction software experts can answer all your question in one consultation. They also provide support and experienced professional advice to optimize and enhance project management systems.

Top quality construction project management software is developed using the feedback of construction professionals. Downtime with these proven systems is therefore practically non-existent. If there are problems, however, your supplier acts as a backup, and remediation starts immediately.

Construction project management software, a 360 degree solution is a post from: Pacific Computing Articles

The sometimes Herculean task of construction management may never be easy, but it can be made very well organized from Day One. The specific demands for construction software may vary, but an integrated package can solve that problem before it even becomes a problem.

Best practice in this area is strictly practical. The fundamental software requirements must engage various aspects of any project:

• Design
• Engineering
• Erection sequences
• Collaboration
• Automatic parts numbering systems
• Data exchange

The real issue is matching the tasks to the software, and it’s not always easy to find a full spectrum software package to do all that. As a yardstick for reliable performance, it’s worth looking at Tekla’s solutions for construction companies. This is a fully proven, no-nonsense system for professional construction managers. You can see how all the functions are integrated into the software.

Organizational management

Best practice organizational design is tailored to the construction project is the essence of effective construction management. Construction managers work on a customized organizational model, costed and structured to work in relation to the operational needs.

Organizational management can actually be modeled using site management software. In construction management, this is both a cost saver and a time saver. Delegations, administration, contract control, construction schedules and accounting processes are all integrated into an effective organizational structure.

Information management

The requirements for large amounts of information are ongoing in any form of construction management. This information must be easily accessible, current, and easily usable. Reporting functions have to be well defined, ensuring compliance with contracts and audit and accounting efficiency.

This is an area where good software can put construction managers in full control of these vital areas. Every aspect of building programs can be monitored in detail. Top line software can be easily customized to deal with the most demanding requirements for information.

A huge range of information can be easily managed on an integrated system. These are some of the features that good construction management software package can provide:

• Computer aided drafting software
• Engineering design software
• 3d modeling program
• 3d modeling programs
• Civil engineering software
• Engineering drawing software
• Structural steel detailer
• Viewer software
• Precast solutions
• Detailing software
• Customized project software
• Construction planning software
• Tekla solutions

Every aspect of a construction job can be covered in detail. For construction managers who are also technical building experts, the software is a perfect mix of functions allowing complete oversight of any situation or issue either in related to design or on site.

Construction management and design- The right software to stay on track is a post from: Pacific Computing Articles

Detailing is an areas where the huge practical advantages of engineering software become self evident. An expert designer using structural drafting software can turn a massive workload into an “assembly line” process instantly, by simply creating templates and design parameters.

The “assembly line” approach has infinite value to designers and construction engineers, particularly with truly massive tasks. It ensures quality and greatly improved completion times. For design contractors, this is a real “must have” capacity.

Specifications and detailing

Specifications and detailing require extreme accuracy. The “assembly line” also operates as a quality control in this field, but most importantly allows proper attention to details. This is a particularly valuable function for managers, to allow direct oversight of difficult design issues.

For example:

Highly complex specifications and detailing of some design elements must be done on a no-mistakes basis. These elements can be isolated and given intensive scrutiny to ensure performance values. They can then be integrated into the design stream with a string of correlates to ensure accurate configuration.

Sequential planning

Sequential planning is a fundamental aspect of construction. Stages of construction, building schedules, and sometimes dozens of contracts are based on this type of planning, and nobody wants grey areas in the plans.

Project managers will insist on reliable, well-constructed sequential planning at all stages of any construction project. Steel detailing is a case in point. This absolutely fundamental design area is critical to the entire construction process. Sequential planning ensures baseline oversight of structural construction, and operates as a driver for other schedules.

4D schedules- Simulations can make a big difference

“4D schedules” is planning jargon for scheduling. Simulations are often used to provide a working model of construction programs, sometimes in great detail. This is the graphic version of sequential planning, and it’s invaluable for visualization.

You’ll have seen simple versions of 4D, showing how a building or object is assembled. The professional version of 4D can cover everything from structural assembly to components, in a real time configuration allowing accurate time measurement and evaluation of site and construction issues.

Tasks and objects

Tasks and objects is design-speak for construction functions and design objects. Some tasks and objects are major issues, and they require intensive planning. Designers factor in these situations, and design the tasks to efficiently work with the objects.

In many cases, tasks and objects are used as cost savers. Designers work with them to streamline construction and reduce time usages. This is invaluable in terms of big projects, where it can drastically improve construction efficiency with a corresponding cost benefit.

Top 5 tips for detailing software in construction design is a post from: Pacific Computing Articles

The most basic preliminary design involves very high standards of work. Drafting in 3D is an exacting process, and the professional demand for good software is based on a real need for efficiency, accuracy, and good drafting options.

Architectural drafters must be able to design, create and modify any part of a design accurately, and to efficiently and reliably create the right specifications for each part of a design. These very high performance standards are a very good set of benchmarks for choosing a 3D CAD drafting software package.

Cost effectiveness and 3D CAD

One of the reasons for the popularity of 3D CAD among professionals is that 3D allows full integration of all design elements. It can do in seconds work that used to take days. This involves using advanced design software, like industry leader Tekla, but it pays for itself many times over as a time saver and quality control.

For example, a basic 3D design template, one of the common features of 3D CAD design, removes the need for preliminary drafting, and allows full customization of advanced design elements. The modified templates can then be used as a standard for sometimes hundreds of other elements. This is “cost efficiency” in the most literal sense, saving hundreds of hours of work.

Tailoring your 3D CAD to your needs

3D CAD is extremely versatile, and adaptable to any design scenario. Every specification and component element in a construction plan, and there are thousands of these in many plans, must be accessible while drafting.

Some types of 3D drafting involve large numbers of different functions and designs, and a lot of potentially time consuming, picky, detailed work. 3D CAD drastically reduces time usage in production of plans, compared to other design formats. 3D CAD allows efficient cross checks, integration and component design to proceed smoothly as integrated parts of the natural working dynamic.

Success is measurable by results

3D CAD is the best, most reliable, and most comprehensive design and drafting tool in construction planning.

The operating criteria for 3D CAD are like an inventory of design requirements:

• Complete sets of integrated plans and design information
• Reinforcements, stress loading and other features incorporated into planning from basic design to completed plans
• Full access to all aspects of design down to single specifications
• Full visualization of all designs and plans
• Modeling functions for accuracy
• Specifications to industry and statutory standards at the click of a mouse
• Comprehensive quality checks and integration functions
• A lot of saved time due to basic software features

Other types of design software simply cannot do what 3D CAD does effortlessly.

Best 3D CAD for construction design is a post from: Pacific Computing Articles

3D model rendering is the process of converting a physical model of a proposed construction and converting this into a computerised image. During the initial phase of concept and design, this makes a fine marketing tool to show to perspective clients. The computerised model is both easily accessible and portable, and can communicate large amounts of information into small spaces.

However the greatest benefits of computerised model renderings are really during the construction phase. A computer model is able to display all views of a proposed structure. It also contains geometrical information, lists materials used, details, light or shade and pretty much anything else that is required during the construction process. The software can help both the architect, the engineer and the construction team to accurately estimate the cost of construction as well as the time required to complete a job.

The nature of all computerised data is that is truly accessible across all fields. With just the exchange of a memory card or even an email, plans, specifications and other information can be passed from architect to engineer to site manager to construction worker. Changes to plans are equally easy to communicate between parties.

This form of communication also allows for a reduction in errors and provides an overall greater accuracy of the documentation which flows between parties. The original documentation is more likely to be free of errors and any subsequent changes are quickly passed on. With this in mind it is easy to see how companies who are actively using this technology are reducing project schedules and saving costs.

Overcoming Initial Problems

The technology is now well established and many of the teething problems have been ironed out. One of the major problems which first arose was interoperability. Newer versions of software have taken this into account and now ensure that a wide range of operating systems and the corresponding data sources are able to be successfully integrated. Liability issues concerning the accuracy of estimates have been reduced substantially by the improved quality of the software available.

Construction software promises to cut 20-30% of the cost of build . While not many companies are yet specialising in this area, it is a fast growing one and numbers are increasing. By using this software you can improve accuracy, undertake better constructability analysis and provide better data flow to fabricators and erectors.

The Changing Face of Technology in The Construction Industry is a post from: Pacific Computing Articles