Choose the Right Project Management Information System for Construction

Although advanced software applications have certainly made for smoother business operations, employing the wrong programs for your company can significantly impact how you do business. To remain competitive, construction management firms require a system that adequately supports their bottom line while enhancing everyone’s experience with the organization. 

When browsing options for a new project management information system (PMIS), decision makers are looking for an all-inclusive solution—not for more problems. To avoid software systems that exhibit complexity and lack support, construction firms need more than just an application download that makes empty promises about efficiency. These firms need a partner and teammate—a professional who can provide ongoing, reliable support and truly understands their clientele’s needs.

PMIS in a Nutshell

Your project management information system (PMIS) is essentially your firm’s digital backbone. A PMIS is a combination of digital software and organized processes that effectively manages projects, optimizes resource allocation, and mobilizes vast amounts of data in support of business objectives. The system itself typically consists of a software application or combination of applications that together control the flow of projects within a portfolio.

Construction management firms of all sizes use these sophisticated programs to handle the abundance of data required to efficiently complete project delivery from start to finish. Thus, the productivity of team members and the overall client experience relies heavily on whether or not the chosen project management solution aligns properly with their business objectives, standards, and budget.

Determining Your Project Management Information Software Needs

Every construction manager wants a powerful and accessible project management software for performing their daily operations. However, the right PMIS looks different for every company. A number of factors within an organization determine the priorities it’s looking for in these management tools.

5 Questions to Ask When Considering a PMIS

If you’re considering adopting a new PMIS for your construction planning obligations, make sure its capabilities correspond with your business goals. Answering the following questions with your team can give you a good idea of what your firm needs from its portfolio management software: 

1. Who will be using these tools, and what pain points do they have with the existing software?
   
   Consider possible accessibility concerns, level of user-friendliness, rigorous research, and user testing.
   
   
2. What problems would you like your PMIS to solve?
   
   Consider areas in which your existing system doesn’t quite measure up to project management needs.
   
   
3. What type(s) of integrations does your PMIS need to support?
   
   Consider programs or applications currently in use (e.g., Tableau, Excel) that must be integrated with the new system.
   
   
4. What level of expertise is required to configure this system?
   
   Consider if the software solution matches the capabilities and aptitude of your team.
   
   
5. Is the provider you’re considering reputable and reliable?
   
   Consider access to reliable technical support and ongoing education.

Considerations to Make When Selecting Your Management Tools

Decision makers are ultimately responsible for selecting a system that ensures a positive return on investment. Of course, the countless operational benefits of switching to a new PMIS come at a cost, such as time and labor. Before finalizing your decision, verify that the chosen portfolio management software can capably keep up with developments within your business and industry. For a seamless system that can grow with your firm, take into account the following functionalities:

Customization Potential

Every firm—and every project, for that matter—varies widely in terms of scope, requirements, and resources necessary to complete them on time and on budget. For that reason, many of today’s out-of-the-box solutions can’t accommodate these diverse needs. The one-size-fits-all approach to portfolio management that many software companies offer simply won’t work for firms looking to meet a range of customer needs.

These off-the-shelf applications can’t possibly suit the unique preferences of each customer. That’s why VPO isn’t just a software application—it’s an active partnership of people capable of customizing your system to meet any and all project specifications.

Onboarding & Training Requirements

Introducing a new software solution requires both rapid implementation and thorough training for all participants. With so many tools and features to learn, managers need a technology partner that can ensure quick but comprehensive onboarding. VPO is a full-service project management solution that hosts a simple, accessible interface paired with live training sessions, meaning complete deployment within weeks—not months.

Scalability & Future-Proofing

With so many technological shifts occurring simultaneously, the last essential quality of your PMIS is its ability to swiftly adapt to internal and external changes as they unfold. As a project manager, how can you leverage your project management software to maximize digital sustainability within your organization?

Construction management firms can implement approaches such as integrated change management to make strategic initiatives more successful and increase organizational agility. The VPO suite of management tools supports initiatives such as these with a comprehensive, easy-to-use system that quickly adjusts to changing business needs. By providing you with a partnership based on collaboration, visibility, and expertise, VPO ensures all users are set up for success both now and in the future.

Master Task Management with VPO

Major project management responsibilities become much easier to fulfill when managers deploy a suitable application that aligns with all—not just some—of the construction firm’s needs, capabilities, and objectives. And the best PMIS solutions employ a complementary suite of programs that work cohesively together to support the success and security of your business.

In other words, managers need both a partner and a product that can support their firm’s diverse clientele, not just a download-and-go solution. VPO has a proven record of success with our clients. Our expertise and cooperation have allowed numerous construction firms to:

• Be more productive by doing more with fewer resources.
• Align teams and add invaluable consistency,
• Centralize and standardize delivery and fulfillment processes.
• Improve communication with clients and contractors.
• Organize and manage vast amounts of company data.

If you’re interested in finding out more ways that VPO can boost your business, view a quick video demo or reach out to our team for more information.