Overcoming the Obstacles of Construction Documentation

Few of us truly understand all the obstacles that handling construction documentation can pose, but those who deal with blueprints and construction permits on a daily basis know all too well what a hassle it can be, especially with when the winds whip up and destroy an expensive set of blueprints that are crucial to the project. Project managers have to juggle many forms of documentation to keep a job going smoothly, which can become overwhelming. Keeping track of every piece of paper on a job site can be an absolute nightmare. Often the conditions on the site can wreak havoc on paperwork, wind, rain and snow can destroy it, and sun can fade the print, making it impossible to read. Luckily, today there is a better way to handle all the documentation through the use of construction document management software.

Getting a Handle on Documentation

As we become immersed in the electronics age, most of what used to be done with pen and ink has now become computerized. Project documentation management software for construction is becoming the norm. With all the information centralized in a tablet, it is easier than ever to read blueprints and present those all-important permits to any official that may want to see them and to be able to present clients with all the documentation at the touch of a button. Now all-important documents are centralized in one easy location, and project managers can simply access them all using a tablet or laptop on the construction site.

Project information management software organizes all documents needed, including:

  • Construction contracts and purchase orders — Each project starts out the same, with a contract, and what is in this contract is vitally important. This document has everything that has been discussed and agreed upon by the construction company and is needed in case confusion should occur during the project. This document is used to settle any disputes that may arise. Purchase orders are equally important and easily lost. Saving them to an electronic database preserves them, and allows the project manager to produce them easily.
  • Bid information — Again, a key document that helps the contractor keep costs in line. The bid contains information regarding subcontractor and supplier bids, among other important bid documentation. Not having the bid information shows a lack of professionalism and can undermine the entire project.
  • Project Calendars — Each day of the project weather conditions are recorded along with a summary of activities that occurred on that given day. Information included will include items such as finding issues with the project, deliveries made, and what subcontractors were on the job, among other information vital to the project. Being able to enter this information using construction document management software helps everyone involved in the project, and provides an accurate record of job progress.

These examples are just a sampling of the many documents project managers must keep track of in order to keep the job running smoothly, but project managers also have other responsibilities that require their time and attention, they simply don’t have the time needed to search through paperwork and deal with it on a daily basis. Project documentation management software for construction is a total game changer. Once a project manager experiences using construction management documentation software, they wonder how they ever got along without it.  In the coming years, it may no longer be an option, but a requirement to use project information management software for construction jobs.

Change the way you access content and documents on or off the construction site with help from FASTTAC. Our documentation management software delivers rapid access to all of your important documents at the push of a button. Say goodbye to working with old drawings and poorly organized files, and start streamlining your construction site with help from FASTTAC.