Construction inventory management
Construction inventory management is a means by which construction companies and suppliers can keep track of materials, workforce, equipment and plant. This is particularly important when a construction company has multiple projects to manage, as efficient scheduling can become very complicated.
A well-managed inventory can be critical to profitability as delayed, misplaced or lost items can incur avoidable delays and unnecessary costs. A project timeline, planned in advance, with a full inventory of the required materials, labour, equipment and so on is a vital part of the project planning process.
This might also include:
- An inventory of tools, including manufacturer details, instructions, parts requirements, and so on.
- A consumable inventory (i.e. nuts, bolts, screws, nails, drill bits, wire, batteries, and so on) with a system that alerts when supplies are lower.
- Automatic scheduling of preventative maintenance for tools, plant and equipment, helping to ensure that unnecessary down-time for repairs is avoided.
- An inventory app, downloaded to operatives’ phones.
- Radio-frequency identification (RFID) and barcode solutions.
For more information see: Logistics management.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- BSI construction product identification system.
- Construction logistics manager.
- Consumable.
- How to manage construction plant.
- Inventory.
- Logistics management.
- Materials on site.
- Planned preventive maintenance.
- Off site materials.
- Resource management.
- Scheduling construction activities.
- Site storage.
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