TECC 314: How to Get the Most Out of Your Construction Project Management System

In this episode, we talk with Timothy Wingate Jr., EA, the founder and president of G+F Business & Financial Consulting, about the challenges and strategies related to communication, finance, and technology in a construction project management system. ***The video version of this episode can be viewed here.*** Engineering Quotes: Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About How to Get the Most Out of Your Construction Project Management System: For construction professionals, it's vital to recognize the significance of communication between the office and fieldwork, like how a couple's coordination in household shopping can prevent wastage and overspending. Establishing an efficient communication system is essential to avoid unnecessary material purchases, payment discrepancies, and operational inefficiencies in the construction industry. It's essential to prioritize project scheduling overestimation, as scheduling influences project outcomes, impacts other projects in progress, and affects opportunities for new projects. Managing multiple projects efficiently necessitates using project management systems like BuildATrend to track performance across budget, schedule, and financial data, enabling better decision-making and resource allocation to enhance project efficiency. Efficiency can be achieved by integrating financial systems like QuickBooks Online with project management software such as BuildATrend, allowing seamless data exchange between them. Efficient communication between field and finance involves creating purchase orders (POs), sending them to vendors, matching invoices to POs in BuildATrend, and ensuring accurate material delivery, all facilitated by systems like bill.com, resulting in streamlined coordination and enhanced accuracy. A straightforward solution to improve communication involves creating a designated email address for accounts payable. This address should be used exclusively for receiving invoices from subcontractors and suppliers. Doing so centralizes invoice management and streamlines the process. It also reduces the likelihood of missing payments and enhances communication efficiency. In today's competitive landscape, embracing technology is essential for achieving speed and efficiency in the construction industry. Technology not only facilitates faster communication and operations, but also enables data tracking and analysis, providing valuable insights for continual improvement on each project and ultimately differentiating businesses from their competitors. In workplaces with poor communication, employee turnover often increases as they seek better communication and systems elsewhere. Undertrained staff can result in mistakes and inefficiencies. This not only affects productivity but also hinders performance measurement and the ability to provide clear guidance and training for improvement. Considering employee capacity is essential for efficient management and growth. It involves assessing when an employee reaches full capacity and determining when to bring in additional help or promote someone to a leadership role. This tiered system enables effective management without overwhelming individuals and fosters a sense of competence and shared responsibility for the company's success. More in This Episode… In the Take Action Today segment of the show, Timothy talks about what people should do if they lack extensive financial expertise. About the Guest, Timothy Wingate Jr., EA Timothy Wingate Jr. is the founder and president of G+F Business & Financial Consulting. He is a licensed Enrolled Agent and construction accountant. In May 2016, he founded G+F, recognizing the need for specialized accounting and tax services for construction companies. Many construction businesses struggle to bridge the communication gap betwe...