Why Construction Scheduling Software Struggles to Stick
Earlier this week, I discussed construction scheduling software with the CIO of a general contractor. Construction planning is one of the areas where many relatively new apps are available. Still, none of the latest alternatives has made an apparent breakthrough.
Takt planning tools that don't stick
We discussed planning tools for Takt production in particular. Traditional scheduling software doesn't typically support this specific need. Hence, many small development companies have introduced tools for Takt planning.
There are cases where, on one construction site, a management team has implemented a new planning tool but doesn't keep using it in the next project.
It would be interesting to understand why that happens. Is it because the software did not provide enough value, or it was too cumbersome? Or is it because the software was not used systematically throughout the project so that it would yield its full benefits?
Unfortunately, the most popular management tool
Many contractors and consultants use Excel for Takt planning. That's probably because it is familiar and because it is fast, allowing for visually satisfactory results.
The problem is that Excel sheets are not collaborative tools, and any intelligence you build into them can be challenging for another user to master besides the author. Changing the original plan can also be tricky.
I have experience creating even commercial Excel apps for management purposes, but I would not recommend using it as a long-term company-wide solution. Excel tools are often more like a hack than a reliable basis for building your business processes.
Simplicity is hard to achieve
A significant problem with new tools is the steep learning curve. If it takes too much time and effort to learn how to use a completely new tool with a different use logic, only a handful of individuals start using it. The usage doesn't scale.
If new scheduling tools want to become practical and widely adopted, they should compete on simplicity, mobility, and connectivity. Each seems to be a tough nut to crack in software development. That's not because of software tech; it's more about understanding business problems, psychology, and human behavior.
We still have software designed from the developer's perspective, not the user's.
Getting things done easier with the help of AI
AI-powered systems will eventually solve many of today's challenges with planning software. They will help optimize schedules and resources and make the interaction with these systems intuitive.
Mastering apps for various tasks will become less critical as the focus shifts to getting things done with systems utilizing AI technology. These systems can interact with various apps and data sources and provide an intuitive user experience. We're already seeing the first steps taken in that direction.
A new Finnish podcast kicked off
A new Finnish podcast about building services engineering has launched. I interview researchers and businesspeople about how building services tech helps in the green transition. If you speak Finnish, check it out on Spotify.
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Industrializing construction - Head of Strategy at Flow Technologies
10 个月I'd like to have a chat with that CIO. To him and the others. Don't take multiple softwares to the site. With Sitedrive the construction sites can do their traditional Gantt & flowline schedule (in june also with bill of quantities if they please) and get the same information automatically to the Takt view, where they can continue modificating it. Additionally, all the managers can create or filter their own views. One Schedule One Truth. That brings added value and makes the system stick as it actually saves hours of management time per week and simultaneously support detailed production management