By Jaclyn Hurley


Managers within the building industry have many duties to coordinate, and must usually manage a team of workers with a wide variety of skills. In past times, someone acquired a manager position from building up experience by working as a tradesman in the industry, however, nowadays people can study for the position and learn at a university how to go about the task. At universities, managers will also be taught how to use the best construction project management software.

Companies and managers will find a good number of useful computer programs available, but the right ones should be chosen; ones that compliment the needs of the business, or company. The programs have either been designed to support the operations of very big companies, or to support the work of smaller businesses. The programs may even be useful to someone who plans to manage the building of their own house.

The building of a home usually begins with an architect that draws up the design of what needs to be built, or the plans for the home. Engineers play a role here as well. People in these positions can use computer programs to help them with their drafts. CAD refers to computer-aided drafting, and the programs provide swift predictions of the materials needed and the time it will take to build.

The programs available that directly assist the work of a manager, or general contractor, help to organize the work teams. The process of building a house involves a number of skilled subcontractors. There are electricians, plumbers, general workers etc. In addition, all these people need to complete their tasks at different times.

Help is therefore provided for the managers with the organization of all the workers who are required on the building site. The person in charge will know when it is time for the electricians to be working, and, for example, when the plumbers are needed. Money can be saved as there will be no subcontractors on the site who are not working because they cannot do their job just yet.

Building materials must be monitored, and therefore there are several types of programs that handle this task. A large company will need to place big orders for cement, bricks and many other things, and their expenditure must be tracked. The right supplies are also needed so that there are no delays in the construction process.

Furthermore, programs have been designed to provide help with the salaries of the company's workers and subcontractors. Since that the skilled tradesmen come and go during the project, working when they are needed, their hours must be tracked. It is also important for the company to have records of its payroll taxes and all other expenses.

Computer programs with RFID supply tagging capabilities, GPS functionality and time-clocks are popular too. Good computer programs will help a company to save time and money, and to have a convenient place for all its documentation. Communication between managers, subcontractors and laborers is usually made more efficient as well.




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