The 10 billion euro problem: The costs of inefficient processes in construction
Outdated communication methods and incomplete documentation are more than just an annoyance. Public major projects are, on average, 73% more expensive than planned, which highlights the immense financial burden caused by inefficiency. In transport projects, the average cost increases amount to 33%. These figures reflect the reality on many construction sites: information silos between the office and the site, delayed decisions, and an incomplete data foundation lead to costly rework and delays. The manual effort for creating daily construction reports alone can take up to one hour per day. An effective construction management software is therefore not a luxury but a business necessity. It creates a central source of information and reduces friction losses that cause annual costs in the billions. Optimizing these processes is the first step towards increased profitability.
Less is more: Why simple software achieves the highest acceptance
The best software is useless if no one uses it. Employee acceptance is the key factor for the success of any digital transformation in the construction industry. Complex systems with hundreds of features that require weeks of training are often doomed to fail. Over 70% of software implementations fail due to low user acceptance. A simple project management software addresses this issue directly. It focuses on the core problems and solves them intuitively. Instead of overwhelming employees with new apps, it integrates with familiar tools like WhatsApp and makes data collection a breeze. The introduction of such new software succeeds, because the training effort is practically zero. This leads to immediate and widespread use across the team.
- Intuitive operation: The software must be understandable without long manual study.
- Mobile-first approach: All functionalities must be available on the smartphone at the construction site.
- Integration: Connection to familiar channels like messenger is crucial.
- Offline capability: Documentation must also work without a stable internet connection.
- Multilingualism: Simple translation functions overcome language barriers within the team.
By minimizing barriers to usage, you maximize benefits for the entire project.
Legal certainty at the push of a button: This is how automated construction documentation works
Inadequate construction documentation poses a significant legal and financial risk. According to VOB and BGB, clean documentation is essential for defending against liability claims and enforcing change orders. A digital solution automates this process and ensures a 100% traceable project history. Every photo, every message, and every file is automatically timestamped and tagged to the correct project. This creates a legally secure construction diary without the project manager having to make a single additional effort. This form of construction project management software transforms everyday communication into legally valid documents. This not only saves time but also secures your claims for compensation and minimizes risks in disputes. The digital construction file is accessible at any time and from anywhere for all authorized persons. Thus, the foundation for transparent and conflict-free collaboration is laid.
Efficient task management: Fixing defects 40% faster
Managing tasks and defects is a critical process often characterized by paper-based systems and misunderstandings. A simple project management software digitizes this workflow and makes it up to 40% more efficient. The process is thus clearly structured and traceable.
- Capture defect: An employee takes a photo of the defect directly on the construction site and sends it via messenger.
- Create task: The software captures the image, automatically creates a task, and assigns it to the responsible trade.
- Track status: The project manager sees the status of all open tasks in real-time in the office.
- Document completion: The responsible employee sends a photo of the rectification, and the task is marked as completed.
This entirely digital process eliminates information loss and significantly speeds up response times. Each team member, from the managing director to the subcontractor, has the same information at all times. Such task management for construction teams ensures clarity and accountability. This ensures that no task goes unnoticed and projects proceed smoothly.
Communication without borders: Overcoming language barriers on the construction site
Construction sites in Germany employ teams from around the world, complicating communication. The shortage of skilled workers has led to an increasing recruitment of personnel from abroad; in some regions, over 30% of the workforce is already international. Language barriers can lead to misunderstandings, errors, and dangerous situations. A simple project management software with integrated live translation addresses this problem at its root. Instructions, questions, and safety warnings can be translated in over 10 languages in real-time. This ensures that every employee receives and understands all information in their native language. The use of familiar project management with messenger further lowers barriers. Such a feature not only enhances safety and efficiency but also promotes integration and team spirit on the site. Thus, clear and unambiguous communication becomes the standard.
Data-driven decisions: Track project progress transparently and in real-time
Gut feeling is a poor advisor when it comes to managing budgets and schedules. Modern construction software replaces assumptions with facts and enables 100% transparent tracking of all project activities. In Germany, around 70% of construction companies already use digital tools like BIM to optimize processes. A simple project management software takes this a step further by capturing data directly from the construction site in real-time and making it analyzable. Project managers can create detailed reports with just a few clicks and objectively assess performance. This data-driven transparency helps identify bottlenecks early and proactively counteract them. With software to track project progress, you maintain full control over your projects at all times. This allows you to make informed decisions and systematically secure project success.
Conclusion: Your advantage with Valoon – Simplicity as a driver of efficiency
The biggest challenge in digitalization in construction is not the technology itself, but its acceptance by the people who are supposed to use it daily. A simple project management software that avoids unnecessary ballast and focuses on solving core problems is the key to success. It provides time savings through automated processes, creates legal certainty through seamless documentation and increases efficiency through clear communication. Since the platform is completely free for workers on the construction site and requires no training effort, it becomes a valuable tool for your entire team from day one. See for yourself how straightforward the transition can be. Book your free demo now and take the first step towards smooth construction projects.
More Links
Das Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics (IBP) provides insights into the digitalization of the construction industry in a press release.
Der Federal Association of Construction Software (BVBS) informs about current developments and standards in the field of construction software on its website.
BIM Germany is the central platform for the digitalization of the construction sector and provides comprehensive information on Building Information Modeling (BIM).
FAQ
Do my employees on the construction site need to install a new app?
No. With Valoon, your team continues to work on the construction site using WhatsApp as usual. All messages, photos, and files are automatically archived and processed legally compliant in the background, without anyone having to learn or install a new application.
Is the documentation with Valoon legally secure and GDPR-compliant?
Yes. All data is stamped with an immutable timestamp and location and stored on German servers according to the highest security standards. Our solution is fully GDPR-compliant and meets the requirements for legally valid documentation.
What does it cost to use Valoon for my team on the construction site?
For employees on the construction site, the use is completely free. Our pricing model is designed so that there are no costs for the pure users in the field. This lowers the entry barrier and ensures maximum acceptance across the company.
Does the software also support multilingual teams?
Yes, Valoon has an integrated live translation feature. Messages can be translated into over 10 different languages, allowing all employees on the construction site, regardless of their native language, to communicate clearly and unambiguously.
How quickly can I get started with Valoon?
You can start within minutes. The setup is incredibly simple and does not require extensive IT implementation. After a brief configuration, you can create your first project and invite your team to communicate via WhatsApp immediately.
Can I also create daily construction reports with the software?
Yes. Valoon automatically generates a complete and legally valid daily construction report from daily communication data. This includes all relevant information such as weather data, present persons, services rendered, and special incidents and can be exported with one click.
