The construction industry has never been as competitive, which is why minor workflow improvements can make or break a business. In recent years, we’ve seen faster tech adoption as many companies try to differentiate themselves from their competitors.
Although the industry is still considered inflexible and innovation-averse, brands that are open to software are slowly gaining a market edge. Time-tracking apps, in particular, are now seen as a way to significantly increase productivity.
The Biggest Construction Crew Challenges
Overseeing several crews working on various projects is a challenging task, but unfortunately, this is something that often happens in practice. Lacking resources to hire numerous foremen, companies often have a single person overseeing all the daily work.
In these situations, it is really hard to prioritize. You want to ensure the building is well-done, but you must also reduce your overhead costs, which can sometimes be inflated by excessive work hours.
The situation is even worse when contractors have to juggle between crews working in different states. Not only does each state have its own regulations, but you must also worry about different time zones. These discrepancies make oversight and earnings calculations a real nightmare.
Time Tracking Software Basics
Shockingly, many construction businesses still rely on punch clocks, timecards, and spreadsheets to monitor employees’ attendance on the job site. While this method might make sense for smaller projects, it is painfully difficult when constructing schools, hospitals, and other large buildings.
The worst thing about manual time tracking is that it’s susceptible to manipulation. A foreman can never be certain if the workers are still at work, especially if they’re forced to supervise several construction sites simultaneously. We also have to worry about “buddy-punching,” where colleagues help each other “steal time.”
Luckily, software such as SmartBarrel’s construction time tracking solution changes this dynamic. The program shows where each person is on the construction site, making it much easier to control their movements. Most importantly, with geofencing technology, you’ll see if someone is leaving the zone.
Understanding Core Functionalities
Although these apps primarily focus on time tracking, they also offer numerous other functionalities that can help you on the construction site. Here are some of the features you can expect when using this software:
1. Time Tracking
The construction industry is heavily dependent on deadlines. Checking how certain tasks are progressing in the field tells you how much money you’ll have to spend on wages. As such, time tracking quickly becomes an integral part of financial budgeting, specifically in calculating overheads.
With the right software, you’re not only able to manage a single project, but several construction sites simultaneously. Time tracking apps streamline mobile employee usability, providing a degree of automation that wasn’t previously available in the construction industry.
Among other things, the software eliminates errors that were previously common in timesheets. Even if a person is not on the construction site, they can modify their availability so that foremen can plan their crews.
2. Mobility
Another great thing about these apps is that they’re not limited by a physical location. As long as your workers have smartphones, you can check their whereabouts in real time. Time tracking software is vital for streamlining communication between foremen and employees, as well as within teams.
A person can clock into work regardless of the entrance they use. Even if a foreman doesn’t see them, they’ll be notified of their presence through geofencing technology.
3. Geofencing and GPS
As mentioned, geofencing is the technology that makes all of this possible. As the name suggests, you’re able to build a virtual fence around the site, allowing you to monitor all the movements within. For geofencing to work, it has to be paired with GPS tracking. Satellites monitor workers, showing them within the app with the highest accuracy.
Workers can no longer rely on buddy-punching, as they’ll be tagged as soon as they enter or exit the site. And if anyone attempts to cheat the system, supervisors will be immediately notified.
4. Biometrics
Back in the day, construction companies relied on passwords to secure the premises. With changes to technology, monitoring job sites has become automated. By using the power of biometrics, we can determine with utmost certainty whether an authorized person is entering the area.
Most programs rely on fingerprints and facial recognition to corroborate identity, neither of which can be replicated. Besides preventing unauthorized personnel from entering the construction site, the technology also prevents cybersecurity threats.
Using Time Data for Burnout
Most companies buy these apps so they can prevent time theft and reduce their overheads. However, time tracking technology is also vital for rewarding your staff. For example, some businesses use it to identify the most productive workers on the job site.
Time tracking software shows when each employee clocks in and clocks out, which is a great indication of an employee’s commitment. Advanced apps also monitor employee vitals, displaying whether a person is working hard and their average pulse for the day.
Among other things, this information is crucial for preventing burnout. If a forman notices that a person is constantly under duress and that they’re spending too much time on the site, they can send them home. While this might sound like a punishment, it is the best way to protect their health.
Except for helping individual workers, supervisors can use the data to change their policies. For example, they might decide to change the schedule so that personnel work fewer hours, but with a higher intensity. They can also use the data to create a reward system, where the best workers will take home something extra.
Last Thoughts
Time tracking software offers interesting advantages to construction companies. While these programs are vital for preventing time theft, they can also be used to optimize our workflows. Smart companies use them to protect their staff by monitoring their vitals. Alternatively, they can be used for the creation of reward programs and other tactics for enhancing productivity.
