You’ve invested in a shiny new asset management solution to finally get a handle on your construction equipment, tools, and vehicles. Maintenance schedules, locations, costs – it’s all getting tracked and optimized like never before.
But even the best, top-rated software can let you down if not implemented and used with care. Without proper planning and process discipline, you risk negating those efficiency gains as quickly as you achieved them.
Avoid these five all-too-common pitfalls when using top-rated asset management software for constructionto ensure your new asset management system keeps delivering value for the long haul.
Mistake #1: Rushed or Incomplete Deployment
You just dropped major $$ on this cutting-edge asset management platform…of course you want to get it deployed and reaping those ROI rewards ASAP. But a rushed, haphazard rollout can sabotage your efforts from day one.
Don’t treat the implementation like some weekend chore to checkoff. Work hand-in-glove with the vendor to map out a thorough, phased deployment plan complete with testing, user training, integrations, etc.
Data migration, role permissions, security protocols – meticulous execution of these setup steps lays the critical foundation.
Mistake #2: Incomplete Asset Info and Poor Processes
Garbage in, garbage out. Your new asset management system is spectacular at consolidating equipment data, enforcing processes, and surfacing insights…if you feed it accurate, complete information to work with.
Don’t half-butt asset entries with missing specs, costs, etc. And definitely don’t use it as a sloppy digital towaway for old disorganized practices around maintenance, utilization tracking, etc.
Take the time upfront to audit your entire asset inventory baseline – locations, check-in procedures, retirement protocols, you name it. Catalog it all thoroughly and standardize those processes through the new software’s native capabilities.
Mistake #3: Lack of User Buy-In
Even the most user-friendly asset management software requires training and protocol adjustments for your crews. Fail to get their buy-in and input early on, and they’ll bypass the system.
Focus on making their lives easier, not harder, when it comes to logging asset data or entering service notes. Enlist champion users for advice and peer training. And whatever you do, avoid surprises or changing processes under their feet.
Essentially – make them partners in the transition rather than feeling like another management obligation is being forced upon them.
Mistake #4: Not Maximizing Mobile Usage
For construction operations sprawling across job sites and locations, mobility is one of the biggest advantages asset management platforms provide.
You’re capturing asset data, time stamps, service updates, and more directly at the workface rather than dealing with piles of paperwork. So take full advantage with mobile devices and apps!
Provide hardware like tablets or rugged phones crews can actually use while working. Make mobile usage mandatory for enforcing processes through the software. And finetune any custom mobile interfaces based on their feedback.
Mistake #5: Treating It As a One-And-Done Initiative
Awesome – you’ve worked through the rough initial deployment stretch. Everyone’s bought into the new standardized asset management workflows using the system as designed. You can finally take a step back, right? Nope!
Asset management is an ongoing, ever-evolving process (especially in construction). Treating this as a set-it-and-forget-it initiative after implementation is a missed opportunity.
Regularly audit asset data for gaps or inconsistencies. Consistently tweak processes based on user feedback or new operational realities. Update PMprograms and preventive plans. Always be thinking about continuous improvement and optimization within the system.
With the right people, processes, and commitment, your asset management software can be the backbone for an ever-more streamlined, cost-efficient construction operation. Just avoid these common blunders – or else all those fancy dashboards and features won’t mean a thing.
