We are trying to track and update projects that we have. They include title surveys to platting and engineering projects as well. I would like to know what you are using to keep your people up to date, field crews, drafting, billing, etc.
I know that there are many one or two person shops on here, but would like to hear from those who have tackled this dilemma. As always, any help is always appreciated.
We used to use Microsoft Project. It has all the bells and whistles that can track the smallest activity and convert all these to running costs. Then my boss realised that we were spending more time updating the work status than actually doing the work.:-P
We use NetSuite and the traditional job cards. As we have offices all over the country it works well. Employees can upload work times with iPhone.
A really big dry erase board.
N10,000, E7,000, Z100.00
PLS - IL, MO, AR, KS, MN, KY
I am reminded of an engineer from years ago that spent all is time in the project planner software he never got any work done .
The best Project Tracking system?
A phone call to your survey CoP & asking him directly what was accomplished? how many more days? how much more money does he need to finish the work?
This just cost P10/minute ($0.25/minute) and it answers all your questions ASAP.
> I am reminded of an engineer from years ago that spent all is time in the project planner software he never got any work done.
My utilization rate runs around 75%-80% and I have barely done any real surveying work in years 😉
We use Replicon for the sort of project tracking and management. The tool basically is capable of managing the projects also helps keep track of the hours spent on projects and process the stuffs.
Well, Not sure if you 're looking for a physical or electronic solution based on your post.
I am a solo shop, and use a large metal calendar board.. the months and days are individual magnets, so you just update them as time goes on. I have magnets that are like 1" by 7" that fit into the "days" boxes on the calendar. So we write the pertinent info on the magnets and place them on the days they are scheduled for.
Makes it easy to rearrange the schedule, instead of erasing and rewriting all the time.
I blocked off an area at the top for projects that are in "drafting" and move the magnet to the bottom, under the calendar when drafting is done so that I make sure it goes to the billing.
It's a simple, but effective way to see at a glance where anything is and what needs attention.
electronically, I'm still using an old Microsoft Works Db for job entry and searches, Quickbooks Pro for accounting.
Andy
Thanks to all who posted.
We are looking for a software based solution similar to MS Project, but with out a steep learning curve for individuals who care barely open a spreadsheet. I have a spreadsheet that I was trying to implement, but it didn't have the detail that the big wigs wanted. We do have a whiteboard with long term jobs on it, but filled up quickly and went stagnant. Also there isn't enough space for some of the issues to be posted.
Oh well, back to the drawing board.
However there is a new development in project tracking that you may have to find out. There is a new cloud-based software that combines rostering and project/task tracking.
Using this app, employers can see their employees time on project, shift rotation details, login and logout time. It allows managing and sharing information about teams, projects, tasks and deadlines. It also allows anyone with an internet connection to enter time and tasks. Here's the link for your reference.
I know this is a pretty old thread but I have been asked this question from 5 different fellow surveyors over the past 2 months so figured I would follow up to see if anyone has found anything useful since?
We have tried excel, google calendar with a big screen for the crews, Asana (worked but was a ton of work to keep updated with changes), outlook, and now we are back to excel and lots of emails and text messages. We only have a few crews but it takes a full person to just figure out where things are at with each project and to give customers updates as they call.
Has anyone else found anything else out there??ÿTrying to come up with a better solution than what we have.?ÿ
As a side note: What would happen if someone developed a survey tracking software just surveying (quoting, research, field work, billing etc). Image how much time and money it would save per month.?ÿ
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