Top 10 business management software options for architecture firms
Build a better architectural firm with business management software.
Architects know that no project is straightforward, from schematic design to delivery, architecture firms can face material constraints, geographical limitations, technology challenges, client misunderstandings and more.
Managing project teams in such an agile environment requires specialised software solutions to help navigate these complexities.
How can architecture firms benefit from good business management software?
Leveraging the right tools can make a world of difference in your business. Your busy project teams don’t have spare time to be moving resources around and time tracking on spreadsheets. With architect business management software, they’ll have more freedom to focus on doing what they do best.
Here are 4 ways having business management software tailored for architecture projects can benefit your firm:
1. Resource utilisation
This type of software allows them to track project progress, budgets, personnel, materials and other resources in one centralised location. By having a comprehensive view of all these aspects, firms can make better-informed decisions regarding resource allocation and utilisation.
Enterprise architecture management software also helps firms to automate various processes that would otherwise require tedious manual work. This increases productivity while helping to reduce costs associated with managing multiple projects simultaneously.
2. Time management
To ensure transparency between architect and client, time tracking offers a reliable solution for keeping both parties up-to-date. With an inbuilt timer that records progress as the work advances, clients can receive detailed reports of hours completed without delay - enabling them to better understand where their money goes while also gauging project progression or any obstructions slowing it down.
Alternatively, not all successful architecture businesses offer that level of transparency to clients and instead focus on percent complete per phase. Even for these businesses, time-tracking still offers enormous value so that they can see how much of the budget has been used already and how profitable engagements are.
Architecture management software lets you easily manage employee hours and track how much money each worker is bringing in. You'll have the visibility to see billable vs non-billable time as well as exactly how many hours are being devoted by your team - making it easier than ever before to accurately measure profits against costs.
3. Gantt charts
Architecture is a complex art, with many intricate processes required to bring an idea into reality.
One way architecture firms manage projects is through the use of a Gantt chart, graphically displaying all scheduled tasks and milestones over a designated timeline. Most architectural firm management systems use a similar visual interface, simplifying your processes into one easy overview.
4. Team collaboration
With complex construction projects involving multiple parties and design disciplines, it is essential to ensure everyone involved has a shared vision and goals. Without proper communication, there’s an increased risk of costly mistakes that can lead to frustrating delays in the project timeline - something every architect must take great care to avoid.
With precision, legal compliance, and deadlines firmly set in place; architecture requires careful navigation through potential miscommunication pitfalls.
Top 10 business management software for architecture firms in 2023
Making the wrong decision when choosing an enterprise architecture management tool for your industry can have serious repercussions. Fortunately, this guide will help you weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of some leading solutions in order to make a well-informed choice about which one is right for your business.
1. Projectworks
Projectworks is the ultimate professional service automation software designed to empower businesses to reach their full potential.
Offering resource planning, revenue forecasting, invoices, timesheets, expenses, utilisation, rate cards, margin prediction and project management.
With our software solution, businesses have the visibility they need to make informed decisions and increase their profitability like never before.
2. Workday
Workday provides large enterprises with a comprehensive set of solutions to simplify and streamline their complex management workflows, ranging from hiring new employees all the way through to retirement.
3. Oracle Cloud HCM
Oracle Cloud HCM is suitable for large enterprises with complex approval processes. This cloud-based product provides invaluable benefits, especially to companies in tech, media, telco and healthcare industries who are already entrenched in Oracle products like their ERP.
4. Monograph
Monograph is a business management software solution with an intuitive dashboard that allows users to easily track project progress, budgets, personnel, materials and other resources in one centralised location.
5. BQE Core
BQE Core is an advanced business management software designed specifically for architecture and engineering firms. Benefits include automation, flexibility, accessibility, great integrations, and a customisable dashboard.
6. Deltek Ajera
Deltek Ajera is an accounting and project management solution designed specifically for architecture and engineering firms. It distinguishes itself from generic accounting solutions by offering AE firms simple ways to ensure contract compliance.
7. Newforma
Newforma PIM is an integrated solution for managing various types of project information in the office, the cloud, and on the go, allowing you to manage profit and risk, capture and connect processes, and review files without printing.
8. Outplanr
Outplanr takes the mundane task of making to-do lists and elevates it into an art form, allowing you to transform your goals into tangible work plans that also factor in time for important meetings.
9. ArchiSnapper
Architecture and engineering professionals can use ArchiSnapper to eliminate tedious busywork and save time while producing professional field reports.
10. Xledger
Xledger Cloud ERP provides powerful and comprehensive enterprise resource planning in one streamlined cloud solution. With its easy setup and scalability, businesses can efficiently manage their operations.
Reasons architecture firms choose Projectworks
Projectworks’s enterprise architecture management software has quickly become a trusted tool for firms of all sizes. Here are a few of the reasons our management software is so popular with architecture firms:
Resource booking
Determine who will do what for your project and assign resources to ensure completion. View everyone's weekly or monthly resource total and adjust accordingly if they are over or under their resourcing targets.
Analyse forecasts & project burn
Determine your expected monthly cash flow and check forecasts against future resources to see if they are realistic. Track revenue changes over time and detect trends to help make informed business decisions backed by data.
Percentage-based billing
Invoice your projects with predetermined milestones, a fixed price, or a percentage of the total cost. Easily view when you reach a milestone, you choose which modules to bill that month.
