The Status Quo: Why 9 out of 10 construction projects fail due to inefficient processes
In the construction industry, insufficient planning and poor communication lead to significant costs. A study by the Project Management Institute estimates the loss from ineffective communication at 135 million US dollars per 1 billion US dollars of project volume. The main causes are almost always the same: Information is lost between the office and the construction site, responsibilities are unclear, and documentation is incomplete. According to a PwC study, 87% of construction companies report being under significant cost pressure. Despite these challenges, the potential of digital tools is hardly exploited. The consequences are delays, expensive rework, and legal disputes that burden thousands of companies every year. A well-thought-out process optimization on construction sites is therefore not a luxury, but a necessity. The basis for any improvement is clear and traceable communication.
The foundation of optimization: communication without detours
Communication deficiencies are one of the main sources of errors on German construction sites. When instructions are given verbally, in countless WhatsApp groups, or via email, misunderstandings are pre-programmed. Almost 60% of general contractors do not have a complete overview of the processes on their construction sites. A centralized platform is the first step to optimizing construction processes. However, the software must overcome a critical hurdle: acceptance by the onsite employees. The best software is useless if the team does not adopt it. Valoon solves this problem by building on the world’s most used communication tool: WhatsApp. Your team on the construction site communicates as usual while the software structures and archives all information legally and securely in the background. This makes the task tracking on the construction site seamless and straightforward. Next, documentation needs to be brought under control.
Legal certainty at the push of a button: the automated construction diary
Incomplete construction documentation is a significant risk and opens the door to future legal disputes. Creating construction diaries manually costs a site manager an average of 1 to 2 hours of valuable time each day. With software designed to optimize construction processes, this process is automated and legally secure, compliant with the requirements of VOB. Every message, every photo, and every document is automatically assigned to the correct construction project and timestamped. This creates a seamless and legally secure documentation without additional effort.
A digital software for construction execution automatically captures:
- Photos and notes with time and location stamps
- Integrated weather data for the respective day
- Transcriptions of voice messages in text form
- Clear assignment of all entries to projects and trades
- Export function for legally secure PDF reports at the push of a button
- Traceable recording of personnel deployment
This structured data collection is the foundation for lean and efficient construction processes.
Streamlining processes with lean methods and the right software
Lean construction is a management method aimed at minimizing waste and maximizing value for the customer. It is about continuously improving processes and creating smooth workflows. Software plays a crucial role by digitally mapping the principles of lean management and making them accessible to everyone. Through central planning and transparent communication, waiting times between trades can be reduced by up to 30%. Digital tools enable collaborative planning, where all parties are involved early on. Problems are identified before they lead to costly delays on the construction site. With a lean management software the entire construction process becomes more predictable and efficient. This is especially evident in everyday tasks such as time tracking and measurements.
Efficiency in practice: digital time tracking and measurement recording
Incorrect timesheets and inaccurate measurements are common causes of budget overruns and conflicts in billing. Manual tracking is not only time-consuming but also error-prone – up to 5% of handwritten data is incorrect. Software designed to optimize construction processes with integrated mobile tracking solves this problem. Employees record their working hours and measurements directly on-site via an app. This data flows into the office in real-time, forming a reliable basis for payroll and invoicing.
Digital measurement recording takes place in four simple steps:
- Select the right project on the mobile device.
- Enter measurements directly into the digital construction drawing or a form.
- Supplement inputs with photos for visual confirmation.
- Synchronize the data with one click – instantly available in the office.
This time savings on the construction site leads directly to faster and more accurate billing. But the best technology is of no use if it is not accepted.
Overcoming the biggest hurdle: software implementation without training effort
The introduction of new software often fails due to employee resistance and the high need for training. Up to 70% of digital transformation projects do not achieve their goals because of a lack of team acceptance. Construction companies cannot afford to train employees who are already under time pressure for weeks. Valoon was specifically developed to circumvent this hurdle. While the office uses a powerful web application for control and analysis, the team on the construction site continues to use WhatsApp. There is no training effort for the onsite employees, which increases acceptance to over 95%. This simplicity is the key to successful digitalization and the choice of the right project management software in construction. This way, the optimization of construction processes succeeds from day one.
Conclusion: Your advantage with Valoon
To sustainably optimize construction processes, you need software that addresses three core issues: unstructured communication, incomplete documentation, and a lack of acceptance for new technologies. Valoon combines the simplicity of WhatsApp with the powerful features of professional construction software. You benefit from a time savings of up to two hours per day, reduce your project costs by up to 15%, and create legally secure documentation at the push of a button. Switch now to a straightforward and efficient solution that is completely free for the construction site. Book your free demo now and see for yourself.
More Links
de.digital provides an overview of the status of digitalization in Germany.
Fraunhofer IESE provides a blog article on digitalization in the construction industry based on a study.
PwC publishes a press release on a study about the construction industry in 2023, highlighting digitalization deficits and progress in sustainability.
Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides an article on the digitalization potential in construction activity statistics.
Central Association of German Construction Industry (ZDB) provides a position paper on the topic of digitalization.
Statista provides statistics on the implementation level of digitalization in the construction industry in the DACH region.
Main Association of the German Construction Industry provides numbers and facts about the construction industry.
Wikipedia provides an article on Building Information Modeling (BIM).
FAQ
What is the main advantage of software for optimizing construction processes?
The main advantage is the central consolidation of all project-relevant information and communication flows. This leads to increased transparency, fewer errors, significant time savings in administrative tasks, and seamless, legally secure documentation, which enhances the efficiency and profitability of construction projects.
How quickly can such software be implemented in the company?
With Valoon, implementation is extremely fast since employees on the construction site do not need to learn new software. Setting up the office staff typically takes less than a day. You can practically start optimizing your processes immediately.
Is communication through Valoon and WhatsApp GDPR compliant?
Yes, Valoon ensures GDPR compliance. All communication is processed and archived on secure servers in Germany. Unlike private use of WhatsApp, business and personal data are kept separate, and all legal requirements regarding data protection are met.
For which company size is the software suitable?
The software is suitable for construction companies, planning offices, and project developers of any size. Thanks to its modular structure and pricing model, where costs only apply to office users, the solution is scalable and economical for both small craft businesses and large construction corporations.
What functions are most important for the construction site?
For the construction site, a simple photo documentation, the creation of notes via voice input, digital time tracking, and an uncomplicated defect management are crucial. It is important that these functions are accessible mobile and without complicated menus.
How does automatic creation of construction diaries work?
The software collects all data captured throughout the day – such as photos, notes, weather information, personnel deployment, and special occurrences – and automatically compiles them into a structured report. This can be exported and sent as a PDF at the push of a button.
