Construction projects are complex, requiring a high level of coordination between multiple teams, including architects, engineers, contractors, and clients. In the past, collaboration among these teams was often hindered by physical distance, limited communication channels, and incompatible software systems.
The result was inefficiencies, errors, and delays — and time is money in the construction industry.
With remote work becoming more frequent across all verticals, the need for seamless collaboration has become even more crucial. Fortunately, there’s been a rise in online collaboration tools specifically designed for the construction industry.
These tools have revolutionized the way projects are managed, increasing efficiency, reducing errors, and improving communication among team members. But tools are only as powerful as you make them, and they’re not all created equal. What works best for one team won’t work well for another, so it’s important to make sure you’re picking the tools that are right for your unique project needs.
Below, we’ll walk you through what to look for in collaboration tools for your construction projects and give you nine great recommendations to get you started.
How to choose the best online collaboration tools for your construction projects
Efficient and streamlined collaboration boils down to two key factors — choosing the right tools and implementing them effectively. You don’t want to invest in a tool that doesn’t align with your project needs or, worse, hinders your project’s progress. Keep these guidelines in mind as you narrow down your options for the best online collaboration tools for your construction projects:
Identify your team’s needs
Every construction project is unique, and so are its requirements. Some projects may require more document collaboration, while others may need more efficient communication channels or task management features. Consider the following:
- Project size and complexity: Larger projects with diverse teams will require more robust features than smaller projects.
- Communication needs: How does your team prefer to communicate — real-time chat, video calls, or discussion boards? Find tools that offer these communication channels and integrate them seamlessly into your workflow.
- Specific workflows: Does your team need features like task management with deadline tracking, blueprint integration, or mobile access for field updates? How about document version control or automatic notifications for changes made?
Evaluate key features for construction collaboration
Next, evaluate the key features of each tool you’re considering. Since you already know your team’s specific needs, it’ll be easier to narrow down the options and focus only on essential features. Key features to consider include:
- Communication: Look for tools that offer real-time chat, video conferencing, and task comments to keep team members connected at all times, regardless of their location.
- Real-time collaboration: Choose tools that allow multiple team members to work on the same document simultaneously.
- File sharing and document management: Prioritize tools that offer cloud storage for seamless file sharing, centralized document management, and easy access for all team members from any device.
- Mobile accessibility: With an on-the-go workforce, it’s essential to have tools that offer mobile accessibility for field updates, real-time communication, and project management.
Consider your budget
Many collaboration tools offer tiered pricing plans. Free versions might be suitable for smaller projects, while larger teams might need paid plans with advanced functionalities. Consider factors like user licenses, storage capacities, and additional fees for add-on features.
Prioritize ease of use
Complicated tools will only lead to confusion and frustration and hinder collaboration efforts. The platform you choose should be user-friendly and intuitive for all team members, regardless of their technical expertise. Look for tools with simple, clean interfaces, customizable dashboards, and easy learning curves.
Ensure robust security
Lastly, ensure the platform you choose offers robust security features to protect sensitive project data. Tools that provide data encryption, role-based access controls, and regular data backups can help prevent data breaches and ensure the safety of your project information.
The 9 best online collaboration tools for construction projects
The global team collaboration software market is poised to reach $40.79 billion by 2028, highlighting the growing demand for effective online collaboration tools. This section will introduce the top nine tools for construction project collaboration, based on the key features mentioned earlier and taking into account value for money, ease of use, and security.
1. ActiveDraft: For real-time document collaboration
ActiveDraft is a browser-based collaboration tool that makes real-time document collaboration easy and efficient. The platform enhances teamwork and boosts productivity by providing a centralized hub for all project-related activities. Team members can create, access, and edit the latest project documents, including CAD drawings, blueprints, RFIs, and submittals and track changes in real time.
Key features:
- Dedicated workspace that centralizes your projects, tasks, files, and activity threads
- PDF and markup tools for drawing annotations, markup overlays, and markups on any PDF file
- Advanced file conversions that allow you to transform DWG, Office files, and images into PDFs effortlessly
- Projects dashboard for easy project management, task assignment, and tracking progress against deadlines
- Powerful version control that ensures all team members are working on the latest document
Pricing
Take advantage of the free Starter plan to test and experience ActiveDraft’s full capabilities, then upgrade to a Premium plan for a low monthly fee.
2. Bluebeam Revu: For construction project management
Hailed as the industry-standard software for PDF creation, markup, editing, and collaboration, Bluebeam Revu has become a staple in the construction industry. Bluebeam Revu offers a robust, highly customizable document management system for AEC professionals that centralizes project documents, streamlines workflows, and improves team collaboration. Project teams can access and review project documents in real time, share revisions, add comments, and track changes with ease.
Key features:
- Customizable markup tools that allow for drawing annotations, markups, and shapes on PDF documents
- Real-time collaboration and review capabilities, including markups and redlining for RFIs, submittals, and punch lists
- Powerful document management with version control, audit trail, and customizable workflows
Pricing
Bluebeam Revu offers three plans billed annually:
- Basic $240 per user
- Core $300 per user
- Complete $400 per user
3. Fieldwire: For onsite coordination and management
Fieldwire is a construction project management tool designed to simplify onsite coordination and communication. It connects the entire project team on one platform to manage construction plans, documents, and tasks in real time. Project stakeholders can view and share project plans, drawings, schedules, and tasks while collaborating on issues and tracking progress.
Key features:
- Real-time messaging and notifications to keep all team members updated on project changes and updates
- Plan viewing capabilities that allow users to view, mark up, and annotate plans and drawings on iOS and Android mobile devices
- Scheduling and reports to track progress, assign tasks, and generate reports on project activity and performance
- Digitized forms for daily reports, timesheets, inspection requests, and RFIs
Pricing
Fieldwire offers a Basic plan free for small businesses wanting to try out the platform. Paid plans offer additional features and include:
- Pro $39 per user per month
- Business $59 per user per month
- Business Plus $79 per user per month
4. Trello: For organizing construction project tasks
Trello is a popular project management tool that makes organizing and tracking tasks easy and intuitive. It uses a visual, card-based system to create to-do lists and manage tasks, providing a bird’s-eye view of project progress and status. Trello’s simple, user-friendly interface and customizable features make it an ideal collaboration tool for construction projects of all sizes.
Key features:
- Easy-to-use templates and checklists for task management and organization
- Visual project boards that allow teams to view tasks, status updates, and deadlines all in one place
- Integration with other project management tools like Miro, Microsoft Teams, and Dropbox
Pricing
Trello offers the following plans:
- Free $0
- Standard $5 per user per month
- Premium $10 per user per month
- Enterprise $17.50 per user per month (for up to 50 users)
5. Slack: For daily chat and messaging
Slack is an instant messaging and collaboration platform designed for in-person, hybrid, and remote teams to communicate and collaborate synchronously or asynchronously. It offers a centralized platform for project teams to share ideas, files, and updates and makes it easy to stay connected and aligned with project goals. With its intuitive interface and customizable features, each person can personalize their workspace and receive notifications, messages, and updates directly to their desktop or mobile device.
Key features:
- Channels for organizing conversations by topic, project, or team for easy access and transparency
- Huddle rooms for impromptu meetings and spontaneous 1:1 interactions
- Clips for quick video and voice messages, screen sharing, and document collaboration within a chat
Pricing
Slack’s plans include:
- Free $0
- Pro $7.25 per month
- Business+ $12.50 per month
- Enterprise Grind (custom pricing)
For Microsoft users, Microsoft Teams offers a similar platform for communication and collaboration, with features like channels, video conferencing, file sharing, and integration with Microsoft Office tools. Microsoft Teams is available as part of the Microsoft 365 subscription or can be purchased separately:
- Microsoft Teams Essentials $4 per user per month
- Microsoft 365 Business Basic $6 per user per month
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard $12.50 per user per month
6. Dropbox: For file storage and management
Dropbox is a cloud-based file storage and management tool that allows users to store, share, and access files from anywhere on any device. The best thing about Dropbox is that recipients don’t need to have an account to access shared files, making it easy to collaborate with external partners and stakeholders.
Key features:
- Large file-sharing capabilities (up to 100GB)
- Real-time syncing for teams to access and edit the most up-to-date project files
- Up to 175 file types supported
Pricing
Dropbox offers a basic plan with 2 GB of storage space for free. Paid plans include:
- Plus $9.99 per month
- Essentials $16.58 per month
- Business $15 per user per month
- Business Plus $24 per user per month
- Enterprise (custom pricing)
7. Asana: For workflow and project planning
Asana is a workflow and project management software that helps teams plan, organize, execute, and track projects from start to finish. Its colorful Kanban-style interface allows teams to visualize their workflow and quickly identify any bottlenecks or delays. All team members can see who is responsible for what, how far along tasks are, and what the next steps are, improving transparency and accountability within a project.
Key features:
- Customizable project templates
- Project views, including list, calendar, timeline, Gantt chart, or Kanban board
- Custom fields to add labels, priorities, or categories to tasks
- Status updates for real-time progress tracking and communication.
Pricing
Asana offers three plans:
- Personal $0
- Starter $10.99 per user per month
- Advanced $24.99 per user per month
The Enterprise and Enterprise+ plans, ideal for businesses and enterprises, require custom pricing.
8. Miro: For interactive whiteboarding
Miro is an online whiteboarding and collaboration tool designed to facilitate brainstorming, planning, and visual thinking for teams working together remotely or in person. It brings the traditional whiteboard experience to a virtual space, allowing team members to collaborate on visually stimulating boards. Teams can edit online whiteboards, add sticky notes, drawings, diagrams, images, and videos that visually represent their ideas and plans.
Key features:
- Pre-made templates and frameworks for brainstorming sessions, project planning, and retrospectives
- Interactive boards for real-time whiteboarding and ideation sessions
- Built-in estimation app, timer, voting, and video chat for smoother collaboration
Pricing
Miro offers four pricing plans to fit teams of all sizes:
- Free $0
- Starter $8
- Business $16
- Enterprise (custom pricing)
9. Zoom: For video conferencing
Video conferencing eliminates the need for in-person meetings and allows teams to communicate face-to-face in a virtual environment. Zoom is a popular video conferencing tool that offers reliable audio and video quality, screen sharing, and recording capabilities. Project teams can conduct virtual meetings, presentations, and training sessions and share screens to discuss project progress, make decisions, or troubleshoot issues.
Key features:
- HD audio and video quality for a seamless virtual meeting experience
- Screen sharing for easy collaboration and troubleshooting
- Recording options to save meetings, presentations, and training sessions for future reference
- Virtual backgrounds, filters, and reactions for a fun and engaging meeting experience.
Pricing
Zoom offers the following plans:
- Basic $0
- Pro $149.90 per user per year
- Business $219.90 per user per year
- Business Plus and Enterprise plans require custom pricing
Lift your construction projects to greater heights with ActiveDraft
Online collaboration tools have become essential for successful construction projects as teams work remotely and need efficient ways to communicate, share files, plan workflows, and collaborate on ideas.
With ActiveDraft, teams can easily collaborate on project documents, plans, and ideas, increasing efficiency, transparency, and accountability. Its advanced version control and document management capabilities ensure that teams always work on the most up-to-date files, avoiding errors and delays.
Ready to see how ActiveDraft can benefit your construction projects? Get started for free to see how it can take your projects to greater heights.
