When we first started building SiteBoss, we asked ourselves this question: Is software for construction management really different from any other project management or accounting software?
Well, yes and no.
No – it’s not different in that projects are projects and finance is finance. Projects have tasks, and dependencies on other tasks, and costs, and documents associated with them. Finance has ledger entries and receivables, and payables, and stuff like that. Lets face it – construction is a business like any other business. So why do we need specific software for construction.
Because – yes – construction really IS different in a lot of very serious ways.
The way construction differs is deep in the details. Sure – you can manage a project with any project management software. And you could even make sure that you track changes to the project after the owner approves it. Couldn’t that technically serve as a change order?
Hell no.
A change order requires an approval. A change order requires documentation. A change order might even require a new construction contract. (Construction contracts can be tricky; see why.) And most importantly – a change order might require MULTIPLE task changes be rolled into one order. How would you like to approach your owner with a stack of documents and say “I need you to approve changes for framing, drywall, electrical, painting and finishing – all because you wanted to move this one light switch to the other side of the room.” Yeah – that would go over well. Better way might be to have it all rolled into one order called “Move light switch”, with a summary, and one area to electronically sign it right on their desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone. THAT is what software FOR construction gets you.
That’s how we built our software. Just for construction. Just for you. Want to help us out with some feedback? Leave a note for us at the end of this blog entry. We read them all. We promise.