Improving Job Site Productivity with Mobile Construction Management Tools: The Essentials and the Nice-to-Haves

An increasing number of construction companies are turning to digital solutions for more efficient growth in the wake of industry-wide challenges, including skilled labor shortages, supply chain delays, and the growing costs of construction materials and equipment. Investment in technology by the construction industry is expanding fast, with an estimated $50 billion investment in the field worldwide from 2020 to 2022 alone. It’s easy to see why since embedding technology into construction workflows can improve productivity, both on-site and in the back-office. 

Contractors and construction companies are adopting and scaling tech like cloud-based software and mobile apps to streamline operations and increase job site efficiency and profitability. Discerning which mobile tools are essential for improving productivity at your construction company and which aren’t requirements (but are still nice to have) is key to selecting the right apps for your business.  

Why Mobile Tools are Critical for Job Site Productivity 

Mobile tools can help you overcome on-site challenges that can impact your operations, such as delays in labor or equipment schedules and your project’s timeline, which ultimately hurt your productivity and budget. They’re also designed to streamline administrative work, speeding up time and expense tracking processes. Mobile tools offer construction workers and companies more efficient ways of handling their daily tasks.  

Here are a few additional benefits you can expect from adopting these tools: 

• Increased connectivity: Improving job site efficiency is difficult if your teams are disconnected. Mobile apps enable greater access to information, ensuring your employees are on the same page, whether at the job site or in the back office. They also make it easier to communicate and share field data in real-time to enhance worker collaboration and decision-making across job sites. 

• Real-time data access: Mobile tools allow your employees to assess the most up-to-date construction project data from anywhere. Field workers, site superintendents, project managers, and accounting staff will see updates as they happen — so you can stay ahead of potential problems and avoid on-site delays, payroll errors, or budget overruns.  

• Streamlined workflows: Apps also reduce the administrative burden on your field and back-office staff with options that streamline numerous operations, from how you track time and manage payroll to handling expenses and invoices, field reporting, and task or project management.  

Must-Have Mobile Apps and Tools for Construction Job Site Productivity  

While numerous mobile construction tools are available, some are more critical than others if you’re looking to enhance job site productivity. Essential mobile apps to consider are those that help build a strong foundation for your projects or have a more direct impact on efficiency and productivity.  

Project Management Apps 

Mobile project management apps are critical for keeping your construction projects on time and within budget. These apps can help you manage everything from task assignments to project deadlines and can track progress over a project’s lifecycle, no matter your location. Consider apps like Procore or Buildertrend, both of which offer industry-leading solutions for collaborative project management that help eliminate roadblocks for greater efficiency.  

Time Tracking and Payroll Tools 

Mobile time tracking and payroll tools are essential for an accurate and on-time construction payroll. Consider hh2’s Remote Payroll, which offers convenient and accurate timekeeping that your workers can access while on-site through any mobile device. The tool’s customizable options for tracking, coding, and routing time help reduce payroll errors while also streamlining the approval process. Remote Payroll also reduces the time and hassle of tracking time, helping your team stay productive.  

Document Management Apps 

Improving productivity on the job site requires access to all critical documents, including project plans, blueprints, and contracts. Apps that offer seamless access and management of all your important construction documents, like PlanGrid (now AutoDesk) and Procore, ensure that you’re always referring to the latest version of drawings or documents and can easily track change orders and more.  

The Nice-to-Haves: Additional Mobile Tools for Enhanced Productivity 

While the following tools and apps aren’t necessary for every construction business, they are great options for addressing specific problems that impact productivity.  

Equipment Management Apps 

Managing construction assets more effectively can boost worksite productivity and reduce downtime. Equipment management tools like Samsara and Fleetio help your company manage and track the use, maintenance, and location of all your construction equipment so you can optimize the allocation of your resources. 

Safety and Compliance Apps  

Worksite injuries or site safety issues can cause project delays and reduced labor resources, hurting your productivity. Safety and compliance apps, including Safesite and Fluix, help reduce risk and enhance job site safety by digitizing and centralizing safety management. With these apps, your construction company can gain better visibility of your safety programs and ensure regulatory compliance for a safer work environment. 

Collaboration and Communication Tools 

Tools like Microsoft Teams or Slack improve team communication and keep everyone on the same page. These mobile tools offer real-time communication to enhance collaboration between workers, whether they’re at different job sites or in your back office. They also help improve communication with your subcontractors, clients, and vendors so you can more effectively share information and avoid costly misunderstandings.  

How To Choose the Right Mobile Tools for Your Job Site 

Selecting the right mobile tools for your job site comes down to the unique needs and challenges of your construction company. Here are some elements to consider when deciding which tools are worth the investment: 

• Assess your needs: The apps you choose should solve a specific problem you experience. Before investing in any mobile tools, first assess the challenges your company or workers face. From there, you can determine what features or tools you need to resolve these issues.  

• Prioritize the essentials: While certain features may catch your attention, they may not be necessary or more effective at raising productivity (and may come with a hefty price tag). Prioritize the tools and apps that offer the critical functions you need the most or that will have the biggest impact on your job site’s productivity. 

• Evaluate compatibility and integration: Any mobile tool you choose should be compatible with your existing systems. For instance, you’ll want a time-tracking app that seamlessly integrates with your accounting or ERP software to ensure efficiency and accuracy in your payroll process. 

• Ensure it’s user-friendly: A mobile construction tool is only helpful if your team can use it. Look for tools with user-friendly interfaces and features to reduce your worker’s learning curve and ensure company-wide adoption of the technology. 

• Consider your budget: Some mobile tools can be expensive, and you want to ensure that any investment your construction company makes is cost-effective. If you’re interested in project management apps, for example, you may want to review two or three to determine which one best suits your needs and fits within your budget. 

Increase Job Site Productivity with hh2’s Mobile Tools 

Mobile construction apps and tools, including hh2’s solutions, better connect your on-site workers for greater project visibility and collaboration. With these tools, you can simplify and streamline your job site operations, improving productivity. Book a demo to see how hh2’s mobile tools can enhance job site productivity and construction management.