Tag Archives: Construction Management Scheduling Software

Productivity Tips: Get a Grip on That Elusive Focus

April 8, 2016UncategorizedAutomated Trackers, Construction Builder Software, Construction Management Scheduling Software, Construction Management Software, Construction Project Management Tool, SAM, Superintendent's Automated ManagerBhavin Patel

We live in a world of a thousand distractions. There are so many events happening in a single day. Hundreds of things are constantly competing for our attention. Most of us are driven crazy by the most mundane notifications on our phone. Add to these, the hundreds of tasks that you have to do for your construction projects, and you’ve got one stressed-out individual.

So today, we’re going to lessen your stress by giving you some tips on how to grab hold of that elusive focus. Let’s break down a few simple hacks on how you can concentrate on the things that matter, WHEN it matters the most.

1. Understand Your Unique Personal Work Style

When are you the most productive? For some people, they work best when in a crowded coffeeshop, surrounded by loud chatter. Others concentrate better when in an environment that’s sompletely quiet. At what time of day are you able to work best? Do you work best early in the morning, or are you a night owl? Do you need a hot cup of coffee beside you, or do you work better with an empty stomach? What lighting conditions work best for you?

We all have our own little rituals when it comes to getting things done. So it’s important to be mindful of these little details in order to recreate the best working environment for yourself. Remember that the mind can be programmed too. If you provide it with the correct stimulus, it will follow suit.

2. Do, Delegate, Defer, Dump

It’s hard to stay focused when you’re dealing with too much stuff. So one of the first things that you need to do is identify whether a task or issue is important (or unimportant), urgent (can be delayed). Group your tasks and if they fall under the category of important and urgent, prioritize them on your to-do list. If they are important but not so urgent, you can schedule them at a later time. If they are not too critical but needs to be done asap, delegate it to another team member. But if it’s neither important nor urgent, you better scrap it altogether. Differentiating the level of importance and urgency of each task will aid you in prioritization and focus.

3. Manage Your Reactions

A sudden buzzing on your phone can trigger an immediate response from us. But it may just be a friend sending you a funny cat meme. A new email notification may prompt us to read it asap, but it could be just a promotion from your local grocery. A colleague may be calling, but it could just be Hank, asking you out for drinks after work. There will be hundreds, even thousands of stimuli all wanting our immediate attention, the key is to manage how you react to each one. If you can, try to remove unimportant distractions so that you won’t be forced to react to them (Hello, social media!). But even work-related issues can be properly managed. Instead of panicking about a quick REACTION, take your time to craft the best RESPONSE. We humans are emotional creatures so our reactions are often fueled by instinct. In order to retain focus, we should let our conscious mind take control.

4. Learn to Say NO

As mentioned earlier, you have to lessen the stuff on your plate. Say NO to social media for certain hours in a day. Say NO to meetings in the mornings if that’s your most productive time of day. Say NO to little tasks that can easily be done by your subordinates. Say NO to that little voice in your head that keeps on saying that you need to do everything yourself. By lessening your load, you can actually focus, and do more of the things that really matter.

5. Reward Yourself for Focus

We’ve mentioned a while ago that the brain can be programmed. And one of the most tried and tested ways to program our minds is through reward systems. Therefore, after a super productive hour of legit work, reward yourself with something- be it a short walk, a delicious cup of coffee, or a literal pat on the back. Train yourself to feel good after accomplishing something. This way, you will be more inspired to focus and work because your brain knows that it will feel so good afterwards.

Of course, you also need the right tools to help you focus on the most important tasks of your business. To aid you in this, there’s SAM- the Superintendent’s Automated Manager. This unique construction scheduling software was designed to help builders handle several projects simultaneously. Click here to find out more about how it can help you speed up construction build times.

Home-Buyers Don’t Want Fast, They Want Instant

November 27, 2015UncategorizedAutomated Trackers, Construction Builder Software, Construction Management Scheduling Software, Construction Management Software, project management software, SAM, Superintendent's Automated Manager, The Superintendent's Automated Manager, VICBhavin Patel

Once upon a time, our definition of “fast” meant overnight FedEx deliveries. People were even willing to pay premium for that kind of service. But the thing is, customers no longer want “fast”.

In a word where Google offers answers to just about any question within the span of a few blinks, where you can easily download an app if the need arises, where high-speed networks are the norm… your business has to keep up!

The web and the latest advancements in technology have conditioned us into thinking that we can get what we want, whenever we want, wherever we may be (as long as there’s good signal).

On-Demand Builder

So of course, clients expect you to be an on-demand homebuilder, an on-demand project manager. They demand responsiveness. After all, building a home is probably one of their biggest investments ever. An immensely critical decision. Something that is circling their minds 24×7.

Communication

So how will you address it? Email takes forever. Voicemail takes too long. People are even developing aversion to phone calls. These days, people would much rather text, chat, Viber, Whatsapp, Snapchat, and so on. Digital conversations. Conversations that immediately go back and forth.

This becomes very tricky for builders because we all know that our clients don’t necessarily understand the meaning of “business hours”. Out-of-office communication for us has long been the norm. Today, they just want it done much, much quicker.

Sharing Files

File-sharing apps and websites have become prevalent in recent years. Clients want quick access to files. And in addition, these files have to be within reach on different devices. If you’re talking about revisions or changes in the design, they want to be able to see it whether they’re on their phone, tablet, laptop or desktop.

Schedule Updates

When a client ask you about the progress of their home, you have to be able to answer confidently almost instantly (more so if you are face to face). Taking too long will hurt your credibility. Giving vague answers will plant doubts in your client’s mind. As a responsible homebuilder, you should incorporate effective project management tools in your business, so that answers are readily available to you in just a few clicks. Since your customers demand information fast, you have to prepare accodingly.

One of best tools for this is SAM – The Superintendent’s Automated Manager. SAM will veer you away from messy and complicated paper schedules, ensuring that everything is digitized, editable and quickly within reach. It will help you to keep key personnel updated on project milestones, as well as with schedule changes. You can input tasks, deliveries and meetings in SAM, and even get project reports at the push of a button.

Keep up and Stay Ahead

Technology is ever-changing and customers are getting more demanding. If you don’t evolve with them, your company will get left behind. So today put yourself in the shoes of your clients and imagine how they crave and ask for information. And always remember that these days, just “fast” is no longer acceptable.

Construction Project Management Scheduling Software

September 17, 2015BLOG POSTS, UncategorizedAutomated Trackers, construction, Construction Management Scheduling Software, Construction Project Management Tool, Construction Scheduling Software, for Builders, project management software, SAM, VICBhavin Patel

Construction Management Scheduling Software

Construction Management Scheduling Software such as SAM (The Superintendent’s Automated Manager) is a project management tool that allows easy collaboration and maximized efficiency. It streamlines the communication process between the construction manager, his team, and all contractors involved in order to sync their schedules and keep everyone updated.

Ideally, a project management scheduling software should also have quick reporting features that will allow easy tracking of project schedules, accomplishments, budget, estimates, etc.

It should also be easy to use , so that all involved key personnel will be able to easily understand and utilize it. In addition to this, the best construction management scheduling software should also allow for mobile use while also being compatible with your existing programs and software (such as accounting programs).

The Need

Anyone and everyone who has ever worked in construction knows that a single project alone involves a strict timeline, tight schedules, and tasks that need to be as detailed as possible. In addition to this, people have to be managed, contractors scheduled, deliveries and installations carefully executed, and paperwork settled– all within the contsraints of a limited budget. Multiply these by the number of projects you have going on at a single time and you get one very high-strung construction manager.

Who should use project management scheduling software?

Best construction project management scheduling software such as SAM is ideal for custom home builders, developers, construction management firms, engineering firms, and specialty contractors.

Enter SAM

SAM is a construction management scheduling software program designed specifically to make multiple project handling much simpler. It enables home construction managers to automatically work through a customized set of steps, while documenting the specifics of each project at each stage of construction. The end result is a home built on time, under budget, and up to your standards of excellence.

The History of SAM

SAM was designed and refined over a ten and a half year period on Excel by Danny LeBlanc, the current owner and CEO of Automated Trackers, whose building history covers a wide range of experience including residential track and custom homes, condos/apartments, and commercial construction. Danny wanted a reliable scheduling program that allowed him to build and manage the construction of projects, the way builders build. Prior to launch, Danny used the SAM prototype program to manage over 40 construction projects at one time.

Know more about SAM

To know more about what SAM does, check out this page OR you can also schedule your own free 30-day trial in order to see for yourself exactly how SAM can improve your business and increase your profits.