COMPUTER

APPLICATIONS IN
CONSTRUCTION
MANAGEMENT
Computer applications in design phase of the project are very
helpful. During construction phase of the project, computer
serves as a powerful tool in organizing the three major areas:

1. logistics and material

2. contract administration
3. project scheduling and cost control.
INTRODUCTION
The management of construction projects is highly demanding
and involves a wide a range of tasks. It involves all managerial
functions, forms of organization, techniques and tools and
the range of duties expands with the complexity of the project,
as does the amount of data. Tools are needed to store and
process the very large amounts of information that can be
accumulated and as a result various types of software are
available for managing construction projects.
INTRODUCTION
The development of computer software for project
management began with the idea that mathematical,
network-based analysis of large-scale projects could reduce time
and costs. In the late 1950s, techniques such
as PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique) and CPM
(Critical Path Method) provided a basis for the computer-aided
management of projects. Since then software tools have been
developed with greater and greater functionality.
Software can support project managers in all of their
tasks:

• Coordination:
It cannot be assumed that effective communication process will exist in ‘temporary’
construction project organizations. The division of labor and responsibilities, as well as
the exchange of information and the workflow within in the project, must be planned,
implemented and controlled.

• Documentation:
The construction process has to be documented thoroughly and in real time. On the
one hand, records may be required for regulatory reasons and, on the other, they are
needed for monitoring, controlling and accounting construction processes.
• Control:
The identification of discrepancies between target and actual performance
is essential to target-oriented control. All processes need to be monitored
within a narrow timeframe to ensure effective corrective actions can be
taken, in particular, controlling quality, cost and programme.
Coordination, documentation and control are closely
related, and project management software tools have
to take account of joint data uses, exchanging data
between the tools as well as with other applications,
such as design or tender software. Clear interfaces
reduce unnecessary data collection and prevent
inconsistencies.
There is no completely comprehensive software tool
available to deal with all the tasks involved in project
management, a suite of systems is usually needed:
Scheduling Software:
Construction scheduling software is used to plan, monitor and control
project progress. Buffers and the corresponding critical path can be
calculated based on process durations, deadlines and relationships and
appropriate resources can be assigned. The results are usually displayed
in the form of a Gantt chart, network plan or list. By entering current data,
the user is able to automatically generate appropriate target-performance
comparisons.
Project Communication System:
Project communication systems support the coordination of a
construction project by providing a joint platform to all project members
for collaboration and information exchange. Usually, the platforms are
internet-based and data access can be governed by different user
authorizations and privileges. The range of functions varies greatly. Some
platforms simply provide a common data store whilst others provide
comprehensive media and workflow support.

Digital Construction Diary:

Digital construction diaries range from simple templates for word
processors, to internet-based systems with complex data structures. By
integrating media such as photo documentation, the cogency of the
construction diary can be increased. Pictures can prove especially useful
to remote project team members.
Cost Control Software:
Cost control software is based on capacity planning methods.
Resources are assessed according to cost information, such as the
charge-out rates for workers and equipment. By linking to the
project’s accounting software, budget figures can be compared with
actual figures. In addition, reports can be generated automatically
presenting a visualization of the processed data.
 PRIMAVERA PROJECT MANAGEMENT (P6)

Recognized standard for high-performance project management

software

Designed to handle large-scale, highly sophisticated and

multifaceted projects. P6 Professional can be used to organize
projects up to 100,000 activities, and it provides unlimited resources
and an unlimited number of target plans. Massive data requires
sophisticated yet highly
flexible organization tools to provide you a multitude of ways to organize, filter a
PRIMAVERA PROJECT MANAGEMENT (P6)

• Since 1983, Privamera Systems,Inc. has helped the

engineering and construction industries deliver more than
$4.5 trillion worth of projects to date. ENR has ranked
Privamera as the most used project management software in
the industry. The reason for this is trust.
 PRIMAVERA PROJECT MANAGEMENT (P6)

P6 Professional also includes several of its own specialized

features:

P6 Visualizer application for the creation, viewing, and modification

of Gantt charts and timescale logic diagrams (TSLDs). Gantt charts
provide a graphical display of the project's schedule information in
the order determined by grouping and sorting options.

Reflection Projects for creating a sandbox area to test different

project scenarios overviewing changes made in collaboration with
other users so you can review and accept changes before merging
the them back into the source project.
 PRIMAVERA PROJECT MANAGEMENT (P6)

Future Period Bucket Planning to achieve the most precise

resource/role distribution plan by manually entering the budgeted
or planned resource/role allocation per assignment in the
timescale unit of choice

Import from Contract Management to import data from the

Contract Management module and update schedule dates, cost
information, the Activity Code dictionary, and the Cost Accounts
dictionary. 
 MICROSOFT PROJECT

• A project management solution designed for enterprises of all

sizes. It features project scheduling, which allows project managers
to define project tasks, assign them to the team, and track
in-progress assignments.

• It also features project budgeting, which helps managers estimate

the costs for the entire span of a project. Managers can also
perform “Earned Value Analytics” and estimate the cost
performance of their projects. The software provides built in
templates, scheduling tools, and access across devices increase
productivity for project managers.
 MICROSOFT PROJECT
• Provides interactive dashboards and reporting functionalities. The
project managers can also prepare insightful reports and make
decisions about project execution and staffing levels. Scheduling
features like Gantt charts and prepopulated pulldown menus help
reduce training time and simplify the project planning process.

• Can be deployed both on-premise and in the cloud. The web-based

version allows project managers to collaborate with their team
remotely using smartphones and mobile devices.
MS Project VS Primavera
 QS PLUS (QS+)
• QS Plus or QS+ is cost estimating software for Quantity Surveyors
and Consulting Construction Estimators. This advanced software is
for professional estimators and it allows you to prepare detailed
Bills of Quantities, Cost Plans (Estimates), Valuations and the Final
Account.

• QS Plus has a module to measure and determine the cost of a

preliminary sketch designs. This is called a cost plan or cost
estimate. The program uses a format based on the Elemental
method of estimating to find out the estimated cost of a proposed
construction project.
 QS PLUS (QS+) FEATURES

• QS+ has a ready to use estimating template that you can modify
according to your needs and project specifications. Each Elemental
item in the cost analysis has component details that you can edit to
put the correct descriptions and data. For example, you can edit the
material specifications – type of finishes, windows, doors, sizes of
concrete footings, columns and bases etc to reflect information from
current drawings.
 QS PLUS (QS+) FEATURES
• Every building project has its own specifications. The types of materials
used, item dimensions and construction technology will differ, so you
have to click through to access the build up rates for each elemental
item. For example, when measuring Unreinforced Concrete Footings,
the component items will include excavations, compaction, concrete
footings, risk of collapse and backfilling.

• Note that these components are actually Bill of Quantity items, and
therefore they have their own individual rates. An estimator has to
input these rates in the Elemental Rate Build up. For each new project,
you have to edit the rates and put appropriate rates that are relevant
to the project specifications.
 FAST TRACK

• Available since 1987, it is made by AEC Software, Inc., a small

business headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area.

• The application enables users to organize tasks into project plans,

assign resources to tasks, use effort driven scheduling, and view
project details in Gantt charts, monthly calendars, and resource
histograms, and more.
 FAST TRACK
FEATURES:

• Base and Work Calendars

• Effort Driven Scheduling

• Work Usage Inspector

• Resource Management

• Project Management
 CoConstruct

• It is a web-based and mobile construction project management

service designed to meet the specific operating needs of clients,
builders, and design-build firms.

• helps builders and remodelers face common challenges related to

their projects, be that budgeting, client communication, scheduling,
or activity planning.

• also integrates a comprehensive financial module used to manage

estimates and proposals, handle biddings, and pull off summaries
for smarter forecasting.
 CoConstruct
FEATURES:
•Budget & Forecast Project Costs

•Single-Entry Estimating

•Track Change Orders & Expenses

•Custom Mobile Apps With Your Brand

•Manage and Track Leads

•Keep Track of To-dos

Other Construction Management Software
•Procore
•Buildertrend
•WorkflowMax
•Buildtools
•Builderbox
•Proliance- Meridian System
•RedTeam
•PlanGrid
•Projectmates
•ViewPoint, etc.
THANK YOU!