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Project plans are essential to the construction sector because they offer a well-organized framework for projects to be completed successfully. They provide a clear course of action, reduce uncertainty, and increase the probability of achieving project goals within the allotted budget and schedule.
Microsoft, has made it incredibly simple for businesses to utilize project management technologies. Office 365 and Project Online in particular, are especially helpful for enterprises that offer a variety of building services and goods. Office 365 has demonstrated to Microsoft and its partners that businesses are open to dumping a large number of internally maintained products and services. For many businesses, the days of internally maintaining several servers, programs, and licenses are long gone. Project Online is one such example.
Historically, businesses needed “heavy lifting” systems like Project Server to obtain these features and functionalities. This meant that a large sum of money would need to be spent on software, hardware, and maintenance personnel. With only a subscription, any business may now access the same capability in the Office 365 benefitting from centralization of projects and resources, financial and cost management, internal and external communication, task management, workflow and document management, and much more.
Let’s look at the top 10 reasons, specifically for construction businesses, that Microsoft Project Online (MSPO) should be taken into consideration:
- Project & Resource Centralization: Any construction business that moves and shifts resources and equipment around to different places and is using it for specific projects has to be able to quickly and readily access project information. To fully utilize the MSPO system, this centralized visibility is essential. It is easy and helpful to locate group and filter as needed to get to the crucial information that project managers and stakeholders require since Project Online enables construction businesses to collect as little or as much information as needed for both projects and resources.
- Resource Management: Being able to represent people and equipment in addition to construction teams and other general and subcontractors is one of the extra advantages of resource centralization and management. MSPO is able to monitor and report on this important data, which includes availability and cost details. Because these resources may be used on various projects, Project Managers and Resource Managers always have insight into them, which can help them be ready for both current and upcoming initiatives.
- Collaboration: Every construction project involves the storage, security, and sharing of crucial construction documents and information. Encouraging access to this information from both internal and external sources is essential to maintaining the project’s budget and timeline. If there are any changes to the project, specific details must be shared, authorized, and then implemented. Contracts, agreements, and building specs may all be securely maintained while still giving the appropriate information to the appropriate individual or organization.
- Work and Task Management: One aspect of the MSPO solution is broadcasting who needs to do what and when in order to complete project tasks. Project managers have easy access to materials on desktop and mobile devices, and they may load them onto projects and publish those assignments. While in the field, team members may upload photos from the building site, report or address issues, and update work they have finished.
- AI Enhanced Processes: Although artificial intelligence is a very popular topic right now, its main benefit is in automating tasks that allow you to do tasks quickly, effectively, and with the fewest errors possible. If we can automate certain processes that arise. We are only just starting to tap into the potential of AI, and that is one of MSPO’s capabilities, on any given frequency.
- Financial Management: Tracking equipment costs, fixed costs, costs over time, budget costs, and even the ability to create new custom “cost” fields to meet your unique needs around the financial aspects of your construction projects are just a few examples of how financial data can be managed in a project.
- Security and Vendor Management: As contracts, agreements, bids, and proposals are filed, examined, amended, and ultimately accepted, security is a constant source of concern. The file level security that MSPO offers for each document that is published and maintained in the MSPO repository is excellent. Only the records they require may be viewed and accessed by outside vendors, general contractors, and subcontractors. For instance, one person could be able to modify the document while another can just download it, and still another user might not be able to see it at all. It is also possible to create external bid management pages and websites to facilitate the filing and administration of bids.
- Cloud-based and mobile friendly: Having access to information that might save costs is essential for any project’s success, but it’s especially important for construction projects as one missed deadline could have disastrous consequences for finishing the project on schedule and within budget. Whether you are a subcontractor wishing to submit your hours spent on site completing tasks or a stakeholder looking for missing deadlines or specific deliverables, the beauty of the MSPO solution is that it’s always on, always available, and accessible from multiple devices.
- Deep Analytics and Reporting: MSPO reporting has changed throughout time, and with each new generation of reporting features, we are able to obtain new insights and pictures that would have required several hours and a unique set of skills to create. Deep analytics and reporting capabilities are now available in the contemporary reporting stack that supports MSPO. With only a little instruction and exposure to the new suite of Business Intelligence tools and services, even the ordinary Excel power user can begin generating extremely important reports.
- Ample features: MSPO is a “extensible” tool and platform that can expand to meet your needs and advance your project management skills. That’s truly only the beginning. Additional applications like Microsoft Planner and Azure DevOps. Together, Flow and PowerApps can offer a tailored solution that suits your particular construction company.
Although the purpose of this list is to provide an overview of Microsoft Project Online’s features and how it can help with construction projects, it is undeniable that having a cloud-based project management tool like Project Online on your side is beneficial given the fierce competition and resource constraints in this industry.
In conclusion, cloud-based project management software offers several advantages for construction companies ;
- Accessibility – Access project data anytime, anywhere on any device with an internet connection.
- Cost-Effective – Eliminate upfront hardware/IT costs through subscription-based pricing.
- Collaboration – Enable real-time document sharing and communication to streamline teamwork.
- Seamless Management – No complex installations or updates, with the provider handling maintenance.
- User-Friendly – Intuitive interfaces require minimal technical knowledge.
- Secure Data – Robust security measures protect sensitive information.
For construction firms seeking to optimize project management, cloud-based solutions provide the flexibility, efficiency, and security needed to stay competitive. Contact our experts to learn more about the right cloud tools for your business.
We provide customized MS Project solutions for a wide range of industries, including:
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