Beyond Spreadsheets

Before the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and digitized operational processes, construction companies relied on paper-based timesheets, Excel spreadsheets, manual scheduling and physical processes to manage people and projects.

As technology has advanced, firms are looking to automate their systems to streamline various processes, including workforce management.

What are Construction Workforce Management Platforms?

Technology companies are providing software (often powered by AI) to automate tedious tasks like scheduling, time tracking and payroll, which are revolutionizing the way construction projects are managed.

Workforce management (WFM) platforms offer several automated functionalities that streamline back-office operations to improve company-wide efficiency.

Onboarding and Training

According to Shreesha Ramdas, founder and CEO of Lumber, an all-in-one construction workforce management (WFM) platform, these tools can assist in communication during the onboarding and training phases.

“New and seasoned workers need to know and understand what a project is all about, and how to operate the devices or heavy machinery. Companies want to ensure information is being delivered to their workers and that the workers are consuming it in a meaningful way.”

This is where knowledge sharing is key. Ramdas shares that 41% of the current construction workforce is expected to retire over the next few years. He says that leveraging technologies will be paramount to ensuring current and future workforces are well equipped with knowledge related to safety, project details and machine operating.

Scheduling and Dispatching

WFM software automates the scheduling and dispatching of field crews based on certain factors:

• Worker availability
• Skill level
• Project location and requirements
  

“Construction firms need the right workers on site for key projects,” Ramdas explained. “Previously, this was a very manual and cumbersome process, trying to figure out which workers have the adequate availability and skill sets. A workforce management platform takes that headache away.”

Lumber’s software leverages AI technology to intelligently and quickly create a schedule to meet the construction project’s criteria.

“Our intelligent scheduler recommends an employee lineup. The manager eyeballs it, and if everything looks right, they click the ‘Go’ button. Employees are alerted on their digital device of when and where they are to be working. It’s that simple.”

Time Tracking

Digital time tracking seamlessly replaces manual paper-based timesheets. This feature significantly reduces errors that often occur during manual entry or employee manipulation.

Time tracking in the construction industry is a tedious process. Crews are required to clock in and out, notate if they were injured while working and input tasks completed during the day.

According to Ramdas, WFM platforms streamline this data entry task, taking the burden off of construction crews.

“The firms want their crews out in the field building, not performing data entry,” he says. “The digitized time keeping feature makes this easy for workers to quickly enter their data and move on.”

Payroll

Payroll can be handled within the WFM system, reducing processing time from several hours to just mere minutes. Digitized payroll reduces human error while providing the workforce with faster payments.

“Modern payroll allows workers to get their wages on time and in the form they want. They can receive it as a check, direct deposit or loaded onto a card. Workers really appreciate how easy it is to get paid.”

Safety Management

Many construction WFM platforms manage safety requirements, keeping construction firms compliant with local, state and federal rules and regulations.

Additionally, providing a safe working environment cuts down on business costs.

“Construction companies want to attract and retain productive workers,” Ramdas said. “They want to increase efficiency while keeping their workforce safe. Providing safer work environments has cost implications. The safer your workers are, the lower your insurance premiums will be.”

WFM platforms address safe working environments by providing learning opportunities and knowledge sharing.

Data Collection

Before now, worksite data collection was limited. With the use of WFM software, construction firms have access to project knowledge, such as:

• Project progress updates
• Workforce productivity (or lack thereof)
• Resource allocation
• Geolocation and site data
• Historical data
• And much more

Current and real-time data provides construction firms with the ability to make well-informed data-driven decisions. This can increase productivity, reduce costs and drive company-wide success.

Compliance Assistance

As previously mentioned, workforce safety and compliance are of the utmost importance in the construction industry. WFM platforms, such as Lumber, assist in navigating complex construction labor regulations.

These platforms assist with tracking training, certifications and company compliance with industry rules and regulations.

“In the platform, compliance is made easy,” Ramdas said. “We automate the report submission to the government. And, more importantly, because it’s all done digitally, if an audit occurs, everything is located in one place, proving compliance. This ultimately reduces unwanted fines and project delays.”

Hiring Union Workers

The same goes for hiring union workers. This software can deploy advanced technologies to help construction firms remain compliant.

“Our technology leverages AI to auto-configure union rules and regulations. We make it easy for the construction companies to implement union agreements so they can hire and retain these highly skilled individuals,” Ramdas added.

Revolutionizing the Construction Industry

Previously, construction WFM platforms tailored their services and products solely to the construction firm. Lumber is one platform that is taking this a step further by addressing the work crews, making workforce management fun, interactive and rewarding.

“We want Lumber to be the go-to hub for construction workers,” Ramdas explained. “We are a workers first company, meaning we provide value by leveraging technology that is meaningful and accessible.”

Lumber is setting itself apart by gamifying the user experience. Workers are rewarded as they perform various tasks within the platform.

“We’re starting with time tracking, rewarding crews as they clock in and out with points. Our technology will soon grow to other modalities. We want to contribute to the financial and mental wellness of the workers."

As the construction industry continues to adopt these innovative solutions, hopefully it will foster a more efficient and engaged workforce, paving the way for a more dynamic and productive future.