We’ve talked about the labor shortage enough – it’s real, and it’s hitting the construction industry hard. But, there’s another issue looming above the construction industry, too: the lack of collaboration between parties on a construction project. When collaboration is strong, the project is strong, and unfortunately… Collaboration isn’t strong.
Poor coordination between contractors and stakeholders is to blame for delays, project mistakes, contract disputes and much more. Denise Norberg-Johnson from Electrical Contractor Magazine, had this to say about the traditional communication on a construction project:
Project progress is hampered by poor communication, incomplete specifications and underfunding by the owner that slows cash flow and causes conflicts or delays. Oftentimes, subcontractors aren’t treated as equal partners, and punitive contract clauses reduce trust between team members.
What Does Collaboration Look Like on a Construction Project?
Collaboration, at its core, is individuals and teams working together toward one common project goal. Unfortunately, collaboration in construction has a rocky history. Traditionally, the industry is highly-competitive, with individuals more focused on meeting their own short-term goals as opposed to a project’s long-term end goal and success. Most projects define how individual segments of the job must be completed, but not how it all ties together as a cohesive project.
Instead, communication and collaboration should be centralized with the use of intelligent document management and not archaic methods like paper trails and emails. Access to the main project plans and goals is key, without the reliance on gatekeepers to get essential or time-sensitive information.
The Benefits of Collaboration through Technology
Completing a cohesive construction project through the use of technology has its many benefits. When you utilize technology to create collaboration between all parties:
- Your project timeline stays on track and deadlines are met
- Less changes or reworks are required
- Projected budgets are met and kept
- Long-term business relationships are cultivated
- Higher profits are achieved
- The quality of your project improves
- Knowledge sharing between all parties improves
- Fewer contract disputes occur
Technology for Collaboration
The digitization of the construction industry isn’t just about saving time or money – it’s about creating a collaborative industry built on communication between all parties on a construction project. Having real-time access to all project information is the key to beginning a culture based on collaboration. When all team members have ownership of the outcome and are included in decision-making, the resulting synergy can produce quality products more efficiently.
Technology isn’t a source of frustration, it’s a vehicle for shifting the industry’s vision to one that includes project collaboration from top-to-bottom. Commit to this common vision with DrawAlert – the market’s leading Construction Administration Software that supports end-to-end document management, full financial controls and collaboration for all.
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