Why Use Microsoft Project for Construction Management?

Posted on 02/17/2024 by Niko Venev

When it comes to project management within the construction industry, the concepts of control and attention to detail are integral to success. Fortunately, modern software like Microsoft Project can simplify planning every aspect of a project, from the first hammered nail to the ground-breaking ceremony.


       

Live Microsoft Project Instructor-led Courses

Course Title Length Price (USD)
Project - Level 1 1 day $350
Project - Level 2 1 day $350
Project - Combo (Levels 1 & 2) 2 days $625
       

Self-Paced Microsoft Project eLearning

Course Title Length Price (USD)
Project 2016/2019 eLearning Bundle 6 courses $300
Project 365 eLearning Bundle 6 courses $300
Project 2016/2019: Part 1 - Beginner 5 courses $150
Project 2016/2019: Part 2 - Advanced 5 courses $150
Project 365: Part 1 - Beginner 5 courses $150
Project 365: Part 2 - Advanced 5 courses $150

How Using Microsoft Project for Construction Management Can Benefit You

Many different types of professionals can be involved in a construction job, from corporate investors to hands-on builders, and MS Project can provide a way for all of them to remain in the loop during the project's various phases. MS Project keeps individuals informed during every step of a project's life cycle by:

  • Facilitating collaboration
  • Encouraging file-sharing
  • Allowing updates
  • Tracking progress
  • Providing visualizations through charts and timelines

Additionally, using MS Project for construction management gives project managers simple ways to visualize and document integral steps within the building process, such as:

  • Creating schedules
  • Detailing tasks
  • Setting deadlines
  • Allocating resources
  • Noting dependencies
  • Getting a "big picture" view of projects

Since time is always of the essence when you're working to complete a project, Microsoft Project has many features that can help you manage time, understand timelines, and reach milestones on schedule. Whether you want to analyze float time, anticipate delays, understand dependencies, or reassign tasks, Microsoft Project has convenient tools to facilitate these tasks.

Microsoft Project also allows users to access or import previous projects so that project managers can reference them while completing current jobs. This can help project managers when they run into obstacles and want to look at how things were handled in the past to find solutions. For example, hiccups in scheduling, like supply chain issues or labor shortages, can be easily referenced, and a completed project can then be used as a road map for new work.

Given the dynamic nature of construction projects, it's also helpful that MS Project simplifies assigning and reassigning tasks to team members. The software can also give project managers an updated snapshot of their available resources, which can help reduce delays and keep team members working throughout the project's duration. File-sharing makes it easy to apprise team members of new plans or other information needed to keep projects going. And mobile access allows team members to receive real-time updates on projects whether they're working online or on-site.

 

Budget Considerations: An Investment in Success

While using Microsoft Project can require a financial investment in the program, employing the software pays for itself in the long run. The ultimate goals of project managers in the construction industry are to come in under budget and complete projects on schedule, and MS Project helps them do both of those things. While the project managers of yesteryear may have taken classes to learn how to manually schedule and allocate resources, today's convenient software takes the guesswork out of planning and executing even the most complex projects. Virtual timeline monitoring can avoid delays, and the software's budgeting features can help to keep costs down.

 

Working With Other Software Alongside MS Project for Construction Management

Using Microsoft Project for construction management has the added benefit of offering the potential for integration with other pieces of software. These can include accounting programs or design and modeling software that many builders and project mangers find essential to completing jobs. Integrating software with MS Project can save time and reduce costs, since fewer hours will have to be devoted to reentering or copying data between programs. Additionally, the incidence of errors can be all but eliminated when accurate numbers are instantly imported or automatically duplicated. This can be especially important in the construction industry, where even a basic numerical error can threaten an entire project's success.

 

Sign Up for MS Project Training for Construction Jobs

Professionals in many industries use project management software, but those in construction can find it enormously helpful. However, Microsoft Project is no good if you don't know how to use it. That's why we offer hands-on MS Project training for construction professionals who need to know how to get things done more efficiently and don't have time to waste. At Certstaffix Training, we offer a number of online and on-site MS Project courses designed to help you learn everything you need to know in just a day or two. Our knowledgeable instructors can lead you through hands-on exercises to help you master MS Project, whether you're just starting out or are ready to pick up more advanced skills. Sign up today!

 



 


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Public instructor-led Microsoft Project course prices start at $350 per student. Group training discounts are available.

Self-Paced Microsoft Project eLearning courses cost $150 at the starting point per student. Group purchase discounts are available.







 

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