7 Tips for a Successful Construction Software Implementation

Many contractors delay purchasing new construction accounting software due to the anticipated pain associated with conversion.

But a successful software implementation is similar to a successful construction project-thoughtful planning coupled with skilled execution results in greater profitability for your company. Since you already know how to build profitable projects, applying basic construction logic to your software implementation lessens the pain, so you can move forward with anticipation-instead of dread.

Keeping the construction process in mind, here are seven tips for a successful software implementation.

1. Define What a Successful Construction Software Implementation Means

The project estimate defines success by establishing a budget with an anticipated profit margin before the job is even won. Although defining success as it relates to your software implementation isn’t so straightforward, it’s still important to establish guidelines for measuring success.

Why this is important: If you don’t define the meaning of success, how will you know if it has been achieved? The easiest way to define a successful software implementation is to identify existing procedures that aren’t working and outline how you will improve them. Let’s say you want to replace a labor-intense, spreadsheet-based work-in-progress (WIP) reporting system with an automated process within your new accounting software that eliminates duplicate effort and takes seconds to complete. In this case, success is easily measurable.

Invoice approval is another example. If you’re replacing manual invoice routing with an electronic invoice approval system, success might be defined as achieving approval 50 percent faster while eliminating lost or misplaced invoices. This same concept can be applied to all of your procedures, whether they are related to jobs, employees or equipment.

2. Spend Time Up-Front Planning Your Software’s Coding Structure

Pre-planning is an important part of a construction project-and a software conversion. A new software implementation is the perfect time to establish a more logical and standardized coding structure for your jobs, general ledger (GL) chart of accounts, vendors, customers and so forth, especially  if you are migrating from a system with limited flexibility or structure.

Why this is important: A standardized coding structure allows you to gain greater business insight through your software’s reporting system. For example, with a departmentalized GL structure, you can quickly access specific information related to a single department, such as your service department. And, when a master setup for job cost codes is established, account No. 100 will always signify the same thing, regardless of the project. This allows you to compare data across all jobs.

3. Clean Up Your Existing Accounting Data

Before migrating existing data to your new accounting system, take time to clean it up by eliminating duplicate vendors, purging old information, evaluating outstanding payables and receivables and getting accurate inventory counts.

Why this is important: This step helps you start with a fresh and timely dataset in your new system.  If you have receivables that are outstanding by 120 days or more, ask:

• Why are these here?
• What can we do now to collect?

If you have outstanding credits with little-used vendors, instead of carrying those credits forward, consider requesting refunds. Perhaps it’s time to archive data for employees that haven’t worked for the company in years. For current employees, this allows you to identify whether you have current W-4 forms on file and if any critical licenses or certifications have expired.

4. Create a Schedule with Milestones While Implementing Software

Treat your software implementation like a construction project by creating a schedule with milestones.  Assign a project manager (PM) on your end and ask for a designated PM on your software vendor’s side.

Why this is important: To achieve software implementation success, there needs to be some accountability for the things that must be done. Make the two PMs ultimately responsible for driving the project toward completion-on time and on budget.

Let your company’s size and the complexity of your software system dictate the schedule, but try to set a firm go-live date. Like many construction projects, unforeseeable delays happen during software conversion, so it’s okay to make adjustments to your schedule.

5. Implement Your New Construction Software in Phases

Every construction project is completed in phases. Why should your software implementation be any different?

Why this is important: A phased implementation eases the adoption of new software by allowing your staff to become comfortable with the basics before more complex functionality is added.

Phase 1 builds the foundation. Implement basic functionality that replaces and improves upon the procedures you were doing before. The focus during Phase 1 should be on core accounting, including job cost and payroll.

Phase 2 adds the framework. Implement functionality that your company wasn’t using before but is vital for improving operations. Processes like inventory management, purchasing, equipment management and custom reporting fall into Phase 2.

Phase 3 adds custom finishes. This is your technology “wish list” that will revolutionize your operations. Electronic document management, remote timesheet entry and a field service system are some examples.

6. Establish New and Improved Accounting Procedures

Just like you implement new procedures for improving things like jobsite safety, use your software implementation as a way to establish new procedures that improve accounting processes.

Why this is important: Better processes make your accounting staff more efficient and help keep important details from slipping through the cracks. Some examples include creating collection policies for past due invoices, scheduling payables to take advantage of vendor discounts and using triggers or alerts for insurance expiration dates or to flag missing employee information.

7. Set a Profitable Training Mindset

It takes time and money for an apprentice to become a journeyman. Likewise, it takes time, money and adequate training dollars to become proficient in your new software. Instead of viewing training as an expense, look at it as an investment and budget accordingly.

Why this is important: Without enough training, software becomes a disposable tool. With proper training, however, software becomes an investment that delivers a positive return over time. Achieving a successful accounting software implementation can take up to two full years. In this scenario, the first year is spent rolling out the system and the second year is spent fine-tuning your processes. So, in addition to initial training, it’s a good idea to allocate a portion of your budget for training at three, six, nine and twelve-month intervals. Free resources offered by your vendor can help, too, including newsletters, e-mail updates, a knowledge base, online help, webinars and conferences.

Mandating Change from the Top Down

Change is vital, especially in this tough economy. But for most people, change isn’t easy. Because of this, the motivation to implement new software needs to come from the top of your organization. Set the expectation that your new tool will not only make your company more profitable, but it will also increase efficiency and make your employees’ jobs easier. By being one part dictator (we are going to do this) and one part motivator (here are the benefits we will receive)-and following the seven tips outlined above-your software implementation will be a successful endeavor that delivers a high return on investment.

Construction Business Owner, April 2010