Project owners make sizable investments in building projects, putting not only financials but also reputation on the line. In this blog, we discuss 3 ways construction materials testing software helps build trust and improve project transparency for all stakeholders.
Trust in construction is everywhere. Civilians have to trust the infrastructure you’re building. Regulators have to trust that the data you’re reporting to them is actually valid. You have to trust that the materials you’re working with meet the standards the engineers requested and the producer or tester promised.
But trust is a fragile thing. Tight deadlines, cost pressures and human error have led to one too many catastrophic outcomes. In the last decade alone, cover-ups, mistakes, fake data and falsified tests have damaged trust in construction projects.
But what if trust could be a little more concrete? The right processes and technology can help any construction outfit, testing lab or engineering firm build trust and deliver better results to stakeholders. Here’s how construction material testing software makes it possible.
1. Centralize Construction Project Data
Centralized data helps users more effectively share information with key stakeholders in a construction project. Anyone (who’s authorized) can access the information they need – and from anywhere – to get the job done and move things along.
This single source of truth for important results, timelines and other project data is especially beneficial for construction firms that still have employees working from home.
When systems are centralized—and completely integrated into one fully connected ecosystem—you no longer have to worry about managing handwritten data, retyping errors and manual data entry. Instead of spending time sifting through data spread across emails, PDF files and filing cabinets, you can search for what you’re looking for and access critical test information in seconds.
Plus, with the right CMT software, you can even get proactive alerts sent to any authorized device with intelligent workflows. So, you can get ahead of next steps in the project.
This level of visibility and access improves coordination and collaboration—and trust that your project is moving forward and in compliance with industry standards.
2. Secure Project Data
The next step after centralizing construction project data involves securing the data.
Trustworthy organizations secure data by connecting everything to a private cloud database that locks down data in an unalterable format and stores it forever.
So, if you have to double-check test methods or results, there is a reliable, provable record that you can access immediately. You know that it couldn’t have been tampered with. This level of security increases your trust in the organizations you work with, and the auditor’s and community’s trust in your infrastructure.
3. Work with Automatic Testing Labs
The first two are only beneficial if you’re also working with materials producers or testing organizations that have completely automated the construction materials testing workflow.
This may sound like a big ask—but it’s more realistic than you think.
Many concrete producers and CMT testing labs are already using automatic machines, which bring unparalleled levels of accuracy, consistency and repeatability to the testing process. Especially when compared to manual control of testing machines, which is often inefficient and highly variable. When you work with a lab that uses automatic machines, you can trust the results of the test.
Trustworthy testing labs have also automated the way they assure, prepare, secure, analyze and support test data—before and after the test – by using concrete or construction materials testing software. This is a platform that consists of a private database, an interface for accessing and communicating with that database, and a way to integrate everything with their testing machines.
CMT software automates how data moves through the testing workflow and, in the process, is better able to structure and secure the data forever. It can connect to LIMS or QC systems, bringing the entire testing process together and enhancing data centralization and security.
When you centralize and secure your data, and then work with organizations that do the same, you will increase levels of trust across the entire project.
Benefits of Trust in Construction
Building trust in construction projects with construction materials testing software reaps long-term benefits for everyone. These include:
- Lower employee turnover rates – Trustworthy construction projects make your firm a better place to work. Not only are you making your employee’s lives easier, but you’re also investing and putting trust in them – a gesture which is likely to be returned. This is important because more and more construction firms are struggling to find craft workers to hire.
- Fewer missed project deadlines – When your processes are automatic and data is centralized, secure and unalterable, you will be able to move projects along smoothly with the confidence that you’re compliant with industry standards.
- Recurring business – Showing partners you’re trustworthy will make them want to work with you more.
All of these benefits, of course, have a financial component. Lower turnover can save your company up to $750,000 in staffing and training costs; fewer missed deadlines result in gains of up to $4 million a year; and higher levels of repeat business drives gross margin 2-7% higher.
Conclusion
Construction project owners have to trust many things—especially the materials they are building with.
Following an automated, secure construction materials testing workflow—and working with testing firms that do the same—will make it much easier to achieve this trust.
Get the construction project outcomes you expect without ever having to question the results—with ForneyVault. Schedule a demo with our team to see how.