Documentation in the construction sector is important to perform operations smoothly and enhance collaboration with effective compliance. Managing these documents on a centralized and easily accessible platform helps you make decisions promptly. These documents could be 2D drawing sheets, plans, regulatory files, standards, permissions, and much more. Every piece of information stored in the documents helps maintain project integrity and improve reputation. Enginero offers a wide range of features for managing project-related documents effectively. In this article, you will explore the importance of effective documentation in the construction industry and the different ways that Enginero enhances your document management.  

Documentation in Construction 

Construction documents are pieces of technical and legal aspects used in projects to communicate project information effectively. These documents serve as instructions and criteria for building the project in line with established standards. They function as an agreement among the owner, the contractor, and other stakeholders, guaranteeing that every element of the project is explicitly outlined and accepted. Here are a few key documents involved in a construction project, 

a) Drawings

Construction drawings include architectural, structural, MEP, and other 2D sheets for a better understanding of the contractors for building the project. These drawings may get iterated after every change or update in the project goal or due to version updates. 

b) Contract

An agreement between the project owner and the contractor includes all the project aspects like scope, estimated price, duration, legal terms, payment details, and more. This also includes a legal signing of the stakeholders working in order to protect their integrity and maintain confidentiality.  

c) Permits and Licenses

Construction projects always need permission from the local governing bodies before starting a project. It includes adherence to building codes, environmental guidelines, and legal requirements. These documents must be obtained and secured to proceed with the project smoothly without any obstruction, for the whole project lifecycle.  

d) Bill of Materials and Quantities

A detailed list constituting the materials used, tools, machinery, equipment, labor, and raw materials along with their quantities, supplier details, brief specifications, and pricing.  

The BOQs help project stakeholders and heads decide the budget for each process and aid in providing estimates by easing the process of bidding. Additionally, BOQs assist contractors in tracking material usage, enabling them to plan effectively and avoid delays. 

e) Inspection Reports

After every check by legal and technical inspectors, project heads will receive documentation.  This ensures that the task is performed in line with the necessary standards and specifications. They document any problems or inconsistencies identified during inspections, facilitating prompt resolution. These reports additionally act as a guide for upcoming inspections and assist in monitoring the advancement and standard of the construction project. 

f) Construction Change Order

A formal document is utilized to seek alterations to the initial construction blueprint, frequently because of unexpected problems, design changes, or adjustments in scope. It describes the specifics of the modifications, related expenses, and timeline effects. It acts as a formal contract between the project owner and contractor, guaranteeing that both sides are in sync regarding the changes and their effects on the entire project. 

g) Specifications

Comprehensive, documented guidelines that specify the materials, craftsmanship, and quality criteria needed for the construction endeavor. They guarantee that every element of the project aligns with the anticipated performance and design standards. These documents offer clarity and accuracy to avoid confusion, making certain that all stakeholders grasp the precise demands for every aspect of the project. 

h) Standard Operating Procedures

A collection of recognized guidelines that detail the standard procedures and practices to adhere to during building. SOPs guarantee uniformity, quality, and safety throughout all on-site activities. SOPs assist in ensuring adherence to legal regulations, safety standards, and compliances throughout construction operations. 

How Enginero Helps in Managing Project Documents in a Construction Project? 

Enginero is a construction and design management platform that helps architects, project managers, contractors, and other project stakeholders throughout their project lifecycle. It comes with robust features that simplify the management of project documents, improve efficiency, and reduce costly errors. When it comes to documentation, Enginero provides numerous features to streamline document management seamlessly. Let’s have a look at these exceptional features that simplify document management. 

a) Centralized Document Storage 

Enginero provides you with centralized storage for efficiently storing and managing all the project documents. Enginero users can upload to the cloud platform directly to respective projects. Also, with customized plugins for your native CAD & BIM applications, you can upload directly to Enginero and manage seamlessly. 

b) Version Control 

Enginero tracks the version of each document automatically after every update. It allows users to view those updates and view the previous versions of the respective documents. You can also download these files to your local storage.  

c) Secured Access 

Security is the key to maintaining integrity in projects. Enginero provides the utmost priority to secure your construction project files. With role-based permissions, project heads can create custom roles and permit the selected members either to just read or modify the file, ensuring controlled and secured access to the project members to ensure project integrity. 

d) Access Everywhere 

Enginero’s document management can be accessible through multiple devices. Whether in the construction site, client’s office, manufacturer’s workshop, or project owner’s office, Enginero works everywhere, you can access these documents, designs, and drawings through your workstation, pc, android, or iOS smartphone or tablet.  

e) Customized Workflow 

From the initialization of documents to the end of the review, you can create a customized workflow strategy within Enginero. You can assign the respective project members to make changes, reviews, or approvals directly from Enginero.  For every stage of approval, Enginero users can change their status.  

f) Custom Folder Management  

Within each project, project users can create custom folders as per the requirements, helping project managers manage the documents effectively. Every project starts with pre-configured folders that have been set up based on the project created, along with its team, to support an organized data structure. Furthermore, users can add sub-folders under these pre-defined folders.  

g) Multiple File Support

Enginero users can upload files of different types like PDF, jpeg, .docx, .txt, and much more from their local storage. Once uploaded, users can view these files in an interactive document viewer for effective review and validation.  

Conclusion

Wrapping up, efficient document management is essential for ensuring seamless operations, adherence to regulations, and teamwork in construction projects. Enginero offers an all-in-one solution to simplify the handling of project documents, featuring centralized storage, version control, secure access, and tailored workflows. Using Enginero, project teams can improve efficiency, minimize mistakes, and uphold project integrity during the entire construction lifecycle. Utilizing these tools promotes smooth communication and enhances decision-making, thereby aiding in the project’s success.