Like almost every industry, construction is undergoing significant digitalization. Construction managers are under a lot of pressure to deliver projects on time and under budget. As a result, they have much to gain from implementing software that helps them reduce the stress of navigating common challenges, such as scheduling conflicts, resource allocation, and supply chain issues.
However, even the best construction management software is only effective if it’s being used. Too often, the solutions meant to make project coordination easier and less stressful are so complex that they get discarded in favor of manual, pen-and-paper processes.
But it doesn’t have to be like this.
As we look ahead to 2025, now is the time to make a plan to get the most value and impact from your construction management software.
8 Construction Management Challenges and How Software Solves Them
Although this is far from a complete list, we will explore some of the common challenges project managers and superintendents will face in 2025 and how to leverage construction management software to overcome them.
1. Labor Shortages
According to the Associated General Contractors of America, 91 percent of US construction firms struggle to hire skilled workers. With construction labor expected to remain in high demand, finding and retaining qualified workers will continue to be a challenge for construction managers. This is where technology can help by optimizing scheduling, automating routine tasks, and providing digital tools for training and onboarding.
2. Increasing Project Complexity
Continued labor shortages, unpredictable supply chain disruptions, and expanding sustainability requirements are expected to increase complexity in the construction industry. This added complexity will make it even more challenging for construction managers to accurately track milestones and manage dependencies across their projects.
The right digital tools can help reduce this stress by providing managers with a clear view of all the moving parts so they can keep even their most complex projects organized and on schedule.
3. Rising Material Costs
Ask a construction manager what keeps him up at night, and there is a 100 percent chance that rising material costs are on the list. The costs of construction materials like steel and lumber are affected by factors such as tariffs, global trade tensions, and natural disasters. These fluctuations can put pressure on budgets, increasing the risk of overspending. Purchase order and vendor management tools provide the flexibility to complement ERP and other dedicated budgetary systems allowing project managers to track expenses in real time and adjust forecasts to avoid budget overruns.
4. Data Fragmentation and Access Issues
Construction projects often involve multiple contractors, vendors, and stakeholders, leading to fragmented data stored across various platforms and systems. This lack of centralized information can make it almost impossible for project managers to access critical project data when it's needed most, leading to delays and costly errors.
With the right project management platform, you can eliminate the stress of siloed data by consolidating all your project details and information in one place. A unified system enables real-time access to the most current data, ensuring managers have the insights they need to make informed decisions quickly.
5. Safety and Compliance Requirements
Project managers have a moral and legal responsibility to ensure the safety of their workforce. Failure to comply with new safety regulations and increased oversight can lead to serious injuries, fines, and project delays.
Construction management software with built-in compliance tracking and automated safety checklists gives project managers peace of mind that they are creating a safe jobsite for workers, meeting regulatory standards, and avoiding expensive fines and penalties.
6. Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Adopting sustainable building practices can improve project timelines and resource management, leading to fewer delays and cost overruns while boosting your reputation with clients who value eco-friendly, cost-effective solutions.
Digital tools can support sustainability efforts by making it easier to monitor resource usage, manage waste, and track metrics that show whether a project is meeting environmental targets.
7. Supply Chain Disruptions
Supply chain disruptions significantly impact construction projects—and project managers’ stress levels. A bottleneck in a single link of the supply chain can result in consequences ranging from material shortages that drive up prices to delivery delays that push back project timelines.
Construction managers can navigate unexpected supply chain issues by using software that provides real-time updates on inventory and material sourcing so they can adjust plans quickly in response to delays or shortages.
8. Client and Stakeholder Expectations
In today’s fast-paced business environments, clients and stakeholders expect transparency, near-instant communication, and constant visibility throughout the project. This can make project managers feel like they’re under a microscope, with every delay and setback amplifying their stress. The pressure to meet these expectations can be overwhelming, especially when it’s added to an already immense workload.
This is where your project management software can help. Platforms with real-time reporting, centralized communication tools, and status-tracking dashboards make it easy to keep stakeholders informed without adding hours of work to your to-do list.
Kick Off 2025 with the Right Construction Management Software
In 2025, resolve to let your construction management software do the heavy lifting. Get rid of complex, hard-to-use software that will inevitably drive you back to pen-and-paper project management, and choose a solution designed with ease of use in mind.
Construction management software that’s intuitive and simple to adopt without extensive training requirements boosts team buy-in, maximizes ROI, and ensures your teams benefit from digital workflows without the complexity or high costs traditionally associated with digital transformation.
Let Automated Trackers help you stress less in the new year. Schedule a demo to experience construction management software designed by a builder, for builders.