NBN Online for the week of March 6, 2006

Go With ‘User Friendly’ Over 'Monster' Scheduling Software

You don’t need a “monster solution” to improve your scheduling efficiency, advised Dennis Bilowus of AEC Software.

Monster solutions that try to do it all, he said, are often too complex, too difficult for users to adapt to, too costly — and almost impossible to implement companywide.

User friendly scheduling software is generally a better alternative, but he cautions that with scheduling software there is no magic bullet.

At the tecHOMExpo at the 2006 International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla. in January, Bilowus and James Waldrop, founder and CEO of Homesphere, Inc., as well as builders John Barrows of J. Barrows, Inc. of Wainscott, N.Y. and Cheryl Holwerda of Holwerda Homes in Grand Rapids, Mich., shared tips for speeding up the building process using scheduling software.

A Need for Improved Scheduling

“Our company had grown from building 60 homes per year to more than 100 homes per year,” Holwerda says. “Manually scheduling the houses using Month-at-a-Glance was not working as efficiently anymore.” What her company needed to help manage the higher rate of production, she said, was a master schedule that would provide real-time data for decision making, to be used for every home under construction.

Barrows provides construction management services, including pre-construction planning, budgeting, scheduling and construction oversight. He started his company from the back of a pickup truck 25 years ago and now provides his services for home builders and for large commercial projects. Barrows found that,as his company grew, he needed a better tool to set expectations for suppliers, trades and clients.

A Need to Integrate Field and Back-Office Processes

To reduce cycle time, expand job site communication and improve cost management, builders need to integrate field and back-office processes and be able to connect with vendors easily, Waldrop explained.

Bilowus outlined key parameters builders should use as a guide when seeking technology-based scheduling solutions. When choosing scheduling software, builders should look for:

• A user-friendly planning tool
  
  
• A tool to communicate the project schedule in an easy-to-read format
  
  
• Project “look-aheads” that are easy to create for subcontractors
  
  
• A dynamic way to analyze a project’s cash flow
  
  
• Flexible equipment and resource scheduling
  
  
• A way to view and analyze all projects
  
  
• Software that is easy to learn, to accommodate turnover of contractors
  
   

Holwerda said her company is using technology solutions that provide job schedule reports, enable vendors to view schedules online in real time and report reasons for variances in schedules.

Barrows said the scheduling solution he uses allows everyone on his team to see the relationship among tasks, trades and clients. This helps project managers and trades to look ahead and spot conflicts and makes it easier to hold team members accountable.

Tips for Choosing, Using Scheduling Software Clearly define your objectives before shopping. Don’t go it alone — get input from your trade partners and from the vendors themselves. Include everything that is going to impact your schedule. Check up on the software company’s customer service record. Ensure there is training tailored to builders and that it is ongoing, to accommodate employee turnover. Investigate newer companies — you don’t want to buy from a vendor only to find them gone in a few months. Get a product demo. Conduct pilots before going “live,” and implement step by step. Allow transition time. Don’t expect a magic bullet.

NAHB’s Technology Solutions Directory — an easy-to-use directory that enables builders, remodelers, contractors and other industry professionals to find the information on software and IT solutions and services for their businesses — is now online. The directory is sponsored by the Business Management & Information Technology Committee. 

Software and technology solutions providers interested in being listed can sign up for:

• Enhanced Listing — Listing includes company name, URL, e-mail address, mailing address, phone number, company/product description, company logo. Click here for more information.
   
• Standard Listing — Listing includes company name and phone number. Click here for more information.

For more information, e-mail Wil Heslop at NAHB.

The Technology Solutions Directory is solely for educational and informational purposes.  Nothing in the directory should be construed as policy, an endorsement, warranty or guaranty by the National Association of Home Builders of the listed software, IT service or the software/IT vendor.  The National Association of Home Builders expressly disclaims any responsibility for any damages arising from the use, application or reliance on any information contained in this directory.

VirtualBoss Construction Scheduling Software Available at BuilderBooks

VirtualBoss construction scheduling software, available through BuilderBooks.com, is easy-to-use job scheduling and task management software. You can track your service and punch list items and e-mail, fax and mail work orders to an unlimited number of subcontractors, suppliers or employees.

NAHB Has More Than 170 Resources to Help You Run Your Business More Profitably

Resources are added weekly, so bookmark www.nahb.org/biztools to go directly to these vital business management resources.

Local and state home builders associations can link directly to www.nahb.org/biztools from their Web site and give their members instant access to these resources. It will make your association's Web site the place to go for the information and guidance that members need to succeed.

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