Contents:

I. Introduction

II. Types of Software Related in Construction

Management

a. Project Portfolio Management

 Overview
 Key Capabilities

b. Integrated Construction Estimation

 Overview
 Key Capabilities

c. Online Construction Management

 Overview

III. References
 I. Introduction

What is a software?
-is the part of a computer system that consists of encoded
information or computer instructions, in contrast to the physical hardware from
which the system is built.

Why is it needed in Construction Management?

-like any other technologies developed and/or invented by human
beings, it makes the work easier, more efficient, and more precise. To put it simply:
it lessens work, and at the same time maximizes efficiency.

How does it help in construction?

-there are systems that are currently available that help capital project
owner/operators, program managers, and construction managers, control and
manage the vast amount of information that capital construction projects create.
 II. Type of Software Related in Construction
Management

A.) Project Portfolio Management

- Project Portfolio Management (PPM) is the centralized

management of the processes, methods, and technologies used by project
managers and project management offices (PMOs) to analyze and collectively
manage current or proposed projects based on numerous key characteristics. The
objectives of PPM are to determine the optimal resource mix for delivery and
to schedule activities to best achieve an organization’s operational and financial
goals, while honoring constraints imposed by customers, strategic objectives, or
external real-world factors. Such type of software are primarily designed in order
to address the information management as well as the project scheduling
requirements of managers, so that they can effectively manage time as well as
improve the overall efficiency. The various software available in this field effectively
minimize the performance risk by effectively managing the track costs, assessing
the available resources as well as incorporating the most effectual changes. Also,
they also enable the facility of keeping the records of all contracts organized as well
as available for display, at any point of time. Primavera is one of the prime examples
of the software tool providers in the field of Portfolio Project Management.

Key Capabilities:
PPM provides program and project managers in large, program/project-driven
organizations with the capabilities needed to manage the time, resources, skills, and budgets
necessary to accomplish all interrelated tasks. It provides a framework for issue resolution and
risk mitigation, as well as the centralized visibility to help planning and scheduling teams to
identify the fastest, cheapest, or most suitable approach to deliver projects and programs.
Pipeline Management
This is the determination of whether (and how) a set of projects in the portfolio can be
executed by a company with finite development resources in a specified time. Fundamental to
pipeline management is the ability to align the decision-making process for estimating and
selecting new capital investment projects with the strategic plan.

Resource Management
The focus on efficient and effective deployment of an organization’s resources where and
when they are needed. These can include financial resources, inventory, human resources,
technical skills, production and design. In addition to project-level resource allocation, users can
also model ‘what-if’ resource scenarios, and extend this view across the portfolio.

Change Control
The capture and prioritization of change requests that can include new requirements,
features, functions, operational constraints, regulatory demands, and technical enhancements.
PPM provides a central repository for these change requests and the ability to match available
resources to evolving demand within the financial and operational constraints of individual
projects.

Financial Management
With PPM, the Office of Finance can improve their accuracy for estimating and managing
the financial resources of a project or group of projects. In addition, the value of projects can be
demonstrated in relation to the strategic objectives and priorities of the organization through
financial controls and to assess progress through earned value and other project financial
techniques.

Risk Management
An analysis of the risk sensitivities residing within each project, as the basis for
determining confidence levels across the portfolio. The integration of cost and schedule risk
management with techniques for determining contingency and risk response plans, enable
organizations to gain an objective view of a project uncertainties.
 B.) Integrated Construction Estimation

- Integrated Construction Estimation is a computer

software designed for contractors to estimate construction costs for a specific
project. An estimator will typically use estimating software to estimate their bid
price for a project, which will ultimately become part of a resulting construction
contract. Some architects, engineers, construction managers, and others may also
use estimating software to prepare cost estimates for purposes other than
bidding. Various programs belonging to this sub category provide construction
project management functionality such as changing and writing contracts,
scheduling operations as well as managing materials. Such software tools also
including accounting facilities that can be further utilized in the generation of
financial reports, assessment of job cuts, payroll management as well as project
billing. On the other hand, the tools available in the context of business
management includes customer relations, business planning as well as
appointment scheduling as an intrinsic part of the software in the field of
Integrated Construction Estimation.

Key Capabilities:
Three functions prove to be the most critical when buying cost estimating
software:

 Takeoff software - this provides for measurement from paper or

electronic plans.
 Built-in cost databases - this provides reference cost data which may be your
own or may come from a commercial source.
 Estimating worksheets - these are the spreadsheets where the real work takes
place, supported by calculations and other features.
 Other typical features include:

 Resource Costs: Resources consist of labor, equipment, materials,

subcontractors, trucking, and any other cost detail items. Labor and equipment
costs are internal crew costs, whereas all other resource costs are received from
vendors, such as material suppliers, subcontractors, and trucking companies.
Labor costs are usually calculated from wages, benefits, burden, and workers
compensation. Equipment costs are calculated from purchase price, taxes, fuel
consumption, and other operating expenses.

 Calculations: Most estimating programs have built-in calculations ranging from

simple length, area, and volume calculations to complex industry-specific
calculations, such as electrical calculations, utility trench calculations, and
earthwork cut and fill calculations.

 Reporting: Project reports typically include proposals, detail reports, cost

breakdown reports, and various charts and graphs.

 Detailed Overhead: Indirect costs, such as permits, fees, and any other overall
project costs can be spread to billable project items.
 C.) Online Construction Management

- These are a unique range of web based construction management

software programs which can be accessed directly over the Internet as opposed to
manual installation on the computer. A popular online tool in the field of
construction project management, it helps the users to carry out most of the
functioning of the project management programs, without even running any
software over the local computer network. Mostly such construction management
tools found online are used to track project tasks, make requisite changes in the
project structure as well as report the ongoing changes to the other specified users.
However, the important benefit of the tools available for online construction
management is that it enables collaboration amongst multiple users via web
interfaces via pro-active sharing as well as editing of schedules and assignments.
Features such as finance and contract management, workflow modulator and
subcontract bid manager are also offered in order to easily generate analytical
reports which can be saved on the local drive or sent to other users for verification.
Another major advantage of these online tools is that they can easily be accessed
over a smart phone from the job site itself and thus can prove fruitful in terms of
facilitating progress as well as problem solving in a timely manner.
 III. References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Construction_estimating_s
oftware

https://www.methvin.org/civil-engineering/project-
management/396-types-of-software-in-construction-
project-management

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Construction_estimating_s
oftware

http://www.heinz.cmu.edu/research/230full.pdf

http://smartcontractor.com/Features/estimating.html

http://google.com