As a business leader, you know what it feels like to reach a turning point. Something isn’t working, and you’re ready to make a big change, but it might be tough to take a leap.
When the problem is with internal processes, you can’t afford to wait any longer to fix it. Effective software could be just what your team needs, and it can have a ripple effect, driving big gains in your firm’s efficiency, project delivery and profitability. Choosing the one that aligns with your needs can be a big undertaking, so we’re here to simplify the selection.
If you’re on the hunt for a solution to make managing your architecture projects easier and more efficient, read on to discover why a project management software solution might be the answer — and the pros and cons of a few popular choices.
Architecture project management software is designed to assist architects and design professionals in managing projects and workflows. It bridges the creative and logical facets of architectural projects, integrating design, planning, task allocation and client communication in a cohesive system.
This type of software is indispensable for a modern architectural firm because it provides a structured framework for organizing and executing projects efficiently.
The right project management tool can revolutionize how your team accomplishes work.
Project management software consolidates various tasks and processes, from drafting designs to communicating with clients. You’ll reduce redundancy and ensure your resources are optimally utilized. A standardized work process significantly reduces the time your team spends on administrative tasks.
Time is a critical component of any architectural project. With software to track every phase and convenient features like Gantt charts, you can clearly visualize timelines and adjust schedules in response to potential delays. Time tracking, especially when it’s reflective of billable hours and attached to individual or project rates, helps your team adhere to deadlines and build a reputation of reliability.
In an effective project management platform, every stakeholder gets real-time access to project status and updates. Transparency speeds up nearly every process your team engages in and lessens the chances of miscommunication or overlooking details. Moreover, leadership doesn’t have to micromanage, as they can see how a project is progressing and drill down into individual performance without having to reach out.
In your industry, unforeseen challenges can significantly impact timelines, budgets and outcomes. Project management software is your backup, helping you preempt risks using past project data and current metrics. You can even create templates that act as contingency plans to minimize how long it takes to regroup after a setback.
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One of the most significant benefits of using project management software for architects is the increase in profit margins that can come from efficiency gains, improved risk and time management and better client communication. Because you have accurate project budgets and tracking, there’s the potential to minimize expenses, reduce revenue leakage and generate more accurate invoices. And a proactive approach to project management can lead to more successful projects and more frequent client touchpoints — therefore, a greater likelihood of repeat business and referrals.
READ NEXT: 9 Best CRMs for Architects To Manage Client Relationships
Each project management tool has a unique set of features, and some are particularly helpful and adaptable for the needs of the architecture industry. Here, we’ll look at some of the functionality you should prioritize in your search for this kind of software.
It’s imperative to meticulously organize resources and lay out milestones at all phases of your architecture projects: initiation, execution and completion. Some project management platforms allow you to create project templates and convert quotes into projects to help you make this stage as simple as possible without leaving out details.
You need to be able to create, delegate and track tasks within a project to ensure each team member is aware of their specific responsibilities. By providing a clear breakdown of tasks and deadlines, architecture project management software keeps everyone on track and prevents silos.
You don’t just need to keep your tasks in a list — you need them to be mapped out in sequence. Streamlining workflows is another vital aspect of the best project management software tools. Delineated and automated workflows smooth out bottlenecks and facilitate increased productivity.
Different project views, such as Gantt charts and Kanban boards, are integral to these software platforms. Gantt charts give you a visual, drag-and-drop timeline, whereas Kanban boards provide interactive ways to bucket tasks. Depending on your project management methodology and the size of your business, you may use one or both to stay on track and keep stakeholders informed.
Collaboration goes beyond basic visibility. Your team needs a shared workspace where they can exchange ideas, comment on documents and make decisions as a team. This team collaboration may even take place in the moment on a job site, so you need a platform that has a logical place for every type of internal communication.
Not all project management software platforms have built-in time tracking. But it’s an essential for giving accurate estimates, tracking billable time for invoicing and analyzing your employee utilization. If you’ve been using traditional timesheets thus far, consider starting to track time when you adopt project management software so you can get the full benefits of the platform.
The ability to integrate with other software is a significant advantage. While you ideally want to consolidate as many client work functions as you can, you’ll likely need at least one or two integrated tools. Don’t forget to review the library of integrations and APIs available to customize how a given platform works for your business.
Here’s what you need to know about seven project management software platforms that are used by architects and other service providers.
Accelo is an end-to-end client work management platform built to help professional services businesses automate tasks, improve visibility and increase profits.
While it includes robust project management, Accelo offers solutions for all stages of client work, including sales and quoting, customer relationship management, client support and tickets, billing and retainer management.
Accelo offers five pricing plans that scale with your business, from a self-serve plan for managing client information, tasks and communication all the way to the Elite tier, which includes all quote-to-cash features, premium support and more.
➡️ Read why one sustainable building firm loves Accelo.
Asana is a work management platform built to help teams organize, assign and track projects. With its templates, automation and reporting tools, team members can use the platform to manage their individual tasks, collaborate across projects and improve visibility into project progress.
Asana offers three pricing tiers:
➡ Learn about the core differences between Accelo and Asana.
Basecamp is a project management software known for its collaborative tools, including chats, message boards and pings. As the name suggests, it’s a singular place for teams to turn for tasks, notes, files and conversations related to a given project.
Basecamp has two pricing tiers:
BigTime is a professional services automation (PSA) software that offers businesses real-time insights into resource allocation. The platform makes it easy to manage projects, track billable time and generate detailed reports in one integrated suite. In 2022, BigTime acquired Projector PSA — now called Projector by BigTime.
BigTime’s pricing is as follows:
➡️ Explore how BigTime compares to Accelo.
BQE Core is a practice management solution that specializes in insights for architects and engineers. Known for its robust reporting tools and back-office functions, this platform can help firms analyze and improve upon project performance.
BQE Core requires that prospective customers request a quote.
Deltek Ajera is project management and accounting software built to streamline projects and give leaders in architecture and engineering a clear view of their cash flow, utilization, profitability and more. It offers timesheets, invoicing and accounting tools on top of project management.
Deltek Ajera requires that prospects reach out for a custom quote.
monday.com is a versatile work management system that helps teams with workflow management and team collaboration. It’s designed to suit a variety of business needs, from project planning to document editing.
monday.com’s pricing plans are as follows:
➡ Which is right for your firm: Accelo or monday.com?
Whether you’re looking for just project management features or a suite of additional client work functions, it’s important to explore more than just the summaries above to make an informed decision about which software platform will bring the most benefits to your business.
Don’t forget to consider questions like:
Ask these questions and more in a live demo of Accelo.
