Estimating Technologies Simplify Project Scheduling
Having been around the contracting business for over 35 years, I've had the opportunity to see a lot of changes take place in the industry. Among those changes are the many areas that have been affected and influenced by technology.
Just to put things in perspective . . . The year I started in this industry was the same year Motorola introduced the first mobile phone. If by chance you were around in those days, you'll recall the word "mobile" was even a bit of a stretch. In contrast, our mobile phones today provide us with more power in the palm of our hand than we used to have from a room-sized computer we used to put a man on the moon.
Scratch pads, roller wheels, and engineer rulers are nearly a part of our past. It's not unusual today to have contractors paying the $50.00, $100.00, or more that it takes to convert a set of paper plans to a digital format so they can perform their take-off directly off their computer monitor. This is technology that can now be employed to dissect a project with accuracy we never before dreamed possible.
In a recent presentation to the American Society of Concrete Contractors, I described how through the use of technologically advanced estimating software, like that developed by UEVEN, the estimating process of today allows us to identify building components as individual work items with their own unique profile. We can now include detailed information on the materials required for the construction of the item and describe each step of the construction as a task with its own materials and labor demands. From my own experience, I can testify to the huge value of having production rate information from detailed takeoffs that provide production expectations like units, lineal feet, tons, or square feet per man hour.
With this kind of information, typically provided on a composite report for the entire project, the complications involved with the creation of a project schedule are tremendously reduced. Referring to this newly available detailed information, project managers can schedule projects based on realistic, past-proven performance standards and reduce the risk of costly liquidated damages brought on by project delays.
I used to place a huge emphasis on my field management team to "Man" the project, don't "Crew" the project. Too many times we create a crew to perform a specific construction task and, without consideration for the manhours allowed for the task in the estimate, we schedule a crew to perform the task required because "that's what they do." Now, with the consideration of information provided through the use of today's technology, a project manager can schedule manpower based on production and budgetary expectations on a per "Man" basis, eliminating the unbudgeted labor costs resulting from the old "Crewing" process.
The implementation of SHARCC® Time and Attendance wireless software can also provide real-time data on the progress of a construction project. Owners and project managers can now observe the progress of a project from their desktop, laptop, or notebook with information that is more accurate than ever before available. With the addition of biometric identification, we can now eliminate the risk of payroll fraud from "ghost employees" and provide even more detailed reporting for increased labor management considerations.
Technology has truly affected nearly every aspect of the construction industry that has taken care of me and my family since the invention of the bar code in 1973. My recommendation to you - embrace the technology that enables you to manage your work, empower your leadership team and secure your company's future.
Remember, this whole technology thing isn't nearing its end - it's just beginning!
Article By: Joseph Bauer
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