A survey among construction project leaders in Australia found that around half of them are not meeting their completion deadlines, and also highlighted that project performance was a recurring issue.
However, specialist assurance practitioner Nigel Virgo, who has worked with construction clients for two decades, believes that the situation can improve, suggesting that “Technology is one of the pathways to success”, along with solutions like modular manufacturing and rebalancing project risks.
Your construction project can run seamlessly, from initial concept sketches to final handover. Information can easily flow between teams. Deadlines can be consistently met. Budgets can be meticulously tracked. How?
Transform Your Operations with Microsoft 365
Construction and engineering businesses can take advantage of huge benefits from the Microsoft 365 suite. It can empower your team to collaborate more effectively, streamline processes, and ultimately make your clients happy.
1. Collaborate in Real-Time with Microsoft Teams
Because Teams is an instant messaging, video conferencing, and file sharing platform, you can make it your central hub for real-time communication and collaboration. This can enable your architects, engineers, and subcontractors to work on a project plan or 3D model at the same time, in real-time.
No more endless email chains chasing down revisions, because all team members can access up-to-date project information, regardless of their location. This can help reduce costly errors and streamline workflows.
2. Streamline Project Management with Microsoft Planner
When keeping track of complex construction projects becomes a juggling act, Microsoft Planner can bring order to the chaos. Create visual task boards, assign deadlines, and track progress with ease.
Then you can integrate Planner with tools like Teams and Power BI to create a centralised project management ecosystem. Thus, every team member will be able to see the big picture, then identify potential roadblocks before they cause bigger issues.
With a clear overview of tasks, deadlines, and progress, the entire team can be aligned. Resources can be efficiently allocated, and cost overruns can be avoided. Potential delays that often happen with dynamic, fast-paced projects can be averted.
3. Enhance Document Management with SharePoint
Project documents, which are the lifeblood of engineering projects, can be easily managed with SharePoint in Microsoft 365. It can help you with secure storage, version control, and easy access to documents.
It’s like a centralised repository where all project stakeholders – from engineers to subcontractors – can access the latest versions of any project plan, specifications, and safety protocols at any time and from anywhere.
4. Improve Field Productivity with Mobile Apps
Because Microsoft 365 mobile apps allow teams to stay productive on the go, your construction site doesn’t have to be a digital dead zone. You can access project plans, review documents, and collaborate with colleagues from a smartphone or tablet. Field workers can make informed decisions due to real-time access to information, keeping projects moving forward.
5. Get Data-Driven Insights with Power BI
Microsoft’s business intelligence tool, Power BI, can help you transform complex project data into easy-to-understand dashboards and reports. Gain insights into project budgets, resource allocation, and identify potential risks in advance.
Power BI can therefore help you proactively manage costs, optimise resource allocation, and make data-driven decisions. The ability to transform raw data into actionable insights can highlight the difference between a timely project delivery within budget and a project plagued by cost overruns and delays.
6. Simplify Financial Management with Dynamics 365
Integrating project financials with other business processes can be a challenge for many construction companies. With Dynamics 365 Business Central integrated with Microsoft 365, you can streamline your financial management.
Track project budgets, manage invoices, and generate real-time financial reports – all within a single platform. This approach eliminates data silos and provides a clear, up-to-date financial picture of your projects.
7. Enhance Client Communication with Microsoft Forms
Communication isn’t just about internal collaboration. In Microsoft 365, you can also keep your clients informed and engaged throughout the project lifecycle. Utilise Microsoft Forms to create custom surveys and gather client feedback. This fosters greater transparency, which can build trust and stronger relationships with your clients.
8. Grow Your Business with Scalability and Flexibility
Microsoft 365 is designed to grow with your business. With flexible subscription plans, it can cater to businesses of all sizes, from small engineering businesses to large construction companies. You only pay for the features you need, making it cost-effective.
9. Gain Peace of Mind with Built-in Security
Keeping sensitive data safe is critical in the construction sector. Microsoft 365 offers a security infrastructure with features like data encryption, intrusion detection, and backups. This ensures your critical project information is always protected, even in the event of a cyberattack or hardware failure.
You can also utilise Microsoft 365’s multi-factor authentication, which adds an extra layer of protection beyond just passwords. This ensures only authorised personnel have access to project documents and sensitive information, minimising the risk of data breaches.
10. Leverage the Power of AI in Copilot
As an AI-powered companion, Copilot in Microsoft 365 can help you streamline workflows and enhance productivity. Some ways you can benefit from it:
- Automated document creation and collaboration, when creating project proposals, reports, and specifications
- Data analysis and insights using large datasets, such as construction plans, material costs, and project timelines
- Data-driven decision-making, as it can help you identify trends, anomalies, and potential risks
- Project management and communication, including task assignment, progress tracking, managing project schedules, milestones, and resource allocation
- Custom workflows and process automation for invoice processing, quality checks, compliance documentation, and other business processes
- Enhanced search and knowledge retrieval, so you can easily find relevant documents and templates, and best practices
Explore Microsoft 365 Services for Your Business
Inspired IT is Perth’s leading Microsoft 365 services provider. Our team of specialists can help you implement it within your organisation, configure it to meet your specific needs, and train your team to maximise its full potential.
Let’s transform your team into a collaboration powerhouse. Contact Inspired IT today and find out how Microsoft Office 365 consultants can help bring greater success to your business.
