Smarter Project Management Unlocks Growth and Efficiency for Modern Construction
As projects grow in scale and complexity, firms are turning to digital tools not just to keep pace, but to get ahead. New research from Dodge Construction Network, conducted in partnership with Procore Technologies, offers compelling evidence that shows project management software is no longer optional for competitive construction organisations – it’s a strategic asset that delivers tangible results, boosts profitability, and strengthens resilience across the industry.
The Quantifying the Value of Project Management SmartMarket Brief highlights a clear theme. When the right platform meets the right skills, organisations unlock operational excellence. And here’s the kicker, while technology delivers value from day one, training and expertise dramatically amplify the return.
“The construction industry is at an inflection point where realising the full potential of technology requires more than just implementation. The data shows that investing in technology alone isn’t enough; it must be paired with an investment in people” said Kris Lengieza, VP, Global Technology Evangelist at Procore: “Optimising adoption transforms a valuable tool into an engine for margin growth and operational excellence.”
Digital maturity separates industry leaders
The study surveyed more than 1,100 construction owners and contractors, categorising participants by expertise level, from light users to highly skilled digital adopters. The results were striking. Those at the top of the competency scale consistently reported stronger outcomes across every performance category.
Donna Laquidara-Carr, Director of Industry Research at Dodge, reinforced this message: “Across every metric we measured, including cost control, schedule performance, and productivity, organisations with advanced project management software skills delivered measurably better outcomes. The takeaway is not only that technology creates value, but that strong digital competency reliably amplifies it.”
In short, digital investment is only half the equation. Skills development completes the picture.
Immediate value for all users
Even light adopters reap measurable benefits from project management platforms. According to the study:
- Users reported fast improvements in data accuracy and availability.
- More than half saw better collaboration and communication thanks to real-time data-sharing.
- Over 70 percent of owners could manage increased project volumes.
- More than half of contractors achieved productivity and operational efficiency gains.
For organisations early on their digital journey, this is encouraging news. Smart project management isn’t just for tech leaders, it delivers wins from day one.
Advanced users boost operational performance
The gulf between beginners and advanced users tells an even more powerful story. Over 80 percent of highly skilled users reported benefits across all measured areas, compared with 31 to 66 percent among lower-skilled groups.
This uplift reflects a broader industry trend. Markets such as the UK, Middle East, and Australia are seeing strong adoption of digital project delivery frameworks, with platforms like Procore, Bentley’s SYNCHRO, and Autodesk Construction Cloud becoming integral to modern delivery models.
Research from McKinsey mirrors these findings, reporting that organisations with integrated digital project management systems reduce project overruns by as much as 30 percent and increase productivity between 15 and 20 percent.
Bottom-line improvements
Digital transformation isn’t only about speed or coordination. It drives real financial gains:
- 83 percent of advanced users reduced overhead costs by five percent or more.
- 77 percent reported increased profit margins, with a median rise of four points.
- 77 percent boosted productivity for executive leadership.
- 69 percent reported efficiency gains across operations and finance teams.
- 76 percent cut project delays by at least five days on average.
In a market defined by razor-thin margins and tightening bid environments, those figures speak volumes.
Owners unlock capital efficiency and quality
The biggest upside may lie with project owners. Highly skilled owner teams reported meaningful advantages:
- 90 percent can now manage more capital projects.
- 88 percent say quality benchmarks are consistently met or exceeded.
- 83 percent have improved cash flow.
- 83 percent saw fewer project delays.
These results support a growing movement among public sector and enterprise owners to mandate digital delivery, integrated project controls, and data-driven decision making.
Projects delivered with modern digital oversight consistently demonstrate better schedule adherence, improved risk mitigation, and stronger contractor collaboration.
Strengthening communication and onsite execution
Beyond the boardroom and planning desk, digital project management tools are reshaping site-level workflows.
Field teams equipped with mobile platforms benefit from instant access to drawings, change orders, safety checklists, and real-time reporting. This reduces miscommunication and eliminates the costly rework that often arises from outdated information.
Meanwhile, stakeholders benefit from unified dashboards that consolidate data feeds from subcontractors, supply chain systems, and field sensors.
Digital proficiency
The construction industry is navigating rising inflation, labour constraints, supply chain volatility, and the pressure to deliver sustainable infrastructure. Against that backdrop, efficiency is everything.
Leading firms are investing not only in platforms, but in:
- Training programmes
- Digital leadership roles
- Standardised workflows
- Change-management frameworks
Technology without training leaves value on the table. Firms that elevate capability see better control over scope, cost, and risk.
A broader digital ecosystem
Dodge Construction Network and Procore operate at the heart of the industry’s data and technology ecosystem.
Dodge delivers analytics, market intelligence, and project opportunities across the construction lifecycle through platforms including The Blue Book, Sweets, and Principia.
Procore powers more than three million projects in over 150 countries with a cloud-based, AI-enabled platform built specifically for construction workflows, compliance, and risk management.
Together, their research provides one of the most comprehensive views yet of how digital adoption correlates directly with operational maturity and business performance.
Project management software pays off
Investing in project management software pays off. But the biggest wins come when organisations invest equally in people, process, and digital foundations.
Construction’s next era belongs to firms that:
- Build digital capability from the ground up
- Empower teams with training and support
- Use real-time data for proactive decision-making
- Make technology central to business strategy
Digital sophistication is quickly becoming a competitive differentiator across the global construction market.
Shaping a smarter construction future
With digital tools becoming indispensable, forward-thinking firms are shifting from technology adoption to digital mastery. The industry’s leaders aren’t just using software, they’re building a culture of innovation.
Those who embrace this mindset will deliver projects that are faster, safer, and more financially resilient.
