Managing progress claims manually can be complex, time-consuming and stressful for payers and payees.

But with the right software, contractors can reduce risk, save time and improve accuracy and consistency – all without losing time and productivity on the job site. This article explores construction automation options in more detail.

Challenges of manual progress claim management

Managing progress claims manually is inherently time-consuming, and human error can also lead to inaccuracies in claims processing. These errors not only prolong the resolution time but also have the potential to impact customer satisfaction and trust in the process.

Misty Cronin from Payapps, says tackling progress claims manually can also add a layer of complexity and risk for construction companies. She estimates the average progress claim can take two to four hours to process.

“Even for a small company, processing 50 claims per month adds up,” Cronin said, “Progress claims also touch many different people in an organization. It’s a risk-laden process with a lot of handling.”

Fortunately, there are more efficient and effective solutions available for contractors. Digital progress claims offer real-time insights and updates – something organisations won’t get with manual processes. Digital progress claims allow contractors to track the status of claims efficiently to aid in speedy decision-making, mitigate communication gaps with stakeholders, and make the claim resolution process more proficient.

Why digitise progress claims

Reduce your risk. Compared to manual methods, digital progress claim solutions offer superior capabilities in automating calculations and validations. By utilizing advanced algorithms, these systems precisely determine payment amounts, evaluate project milestones and ensure adherence to contractual terms and conditions. This digital process helps minimize financial risks and reduces the chances of regulatory penalties or reputational harm resulting from payment inaccuracies.

When designed and built with compliance in mind, digital progress claim solutions also ensure that all claims are done according to standard construction guidelines. Advanced solutions even provide automated compliance checks and alerts of any potential discrepancies, enabling timely corrections and reporting, allowing contractors to mitigate regulatory risks, avoid penalties and uphold trust and credibility with project stakeholders.

Save time. One of the key advantages of digitising progress claims is the substantial time savings it offers. Automation streamlines labour-intensive tasks, such as data entry, document processing and approval workflows – reducing manual effort and turnaround times. Even for larger construction companies, transitioning to a new system has been known to reduce administration time from hours to minutes.

Digitised progress claims enable faster processing and approvals by eliminating bottlenecks, manual interventions, and paper-based workflows. When implemented correctly, these solutions can streamline the entire claim lifecycle, from submission to approval. Electronic document management capabilities also facilitate easy access, retrieval and sharing of claim-related documents, reducing delays and administrative overhead. Construction companies produce mountains of valuable data, and having all this data at your fingertips is great. However, given the sheer volume of data, it can be difficult for contractors to manage their information, much less make it meaningful and useful. Electronic document management options offer effective solutions for contractors to store and access the data in a meaningful and efficient way.

Improve accuracy and compliance. Digitisation significantly reduces manual errors commonly found in traditional progress claim processes by utilising automated validation checks, data cleansing methods and error detection tools. These digital systems enhance data accuracy because they cross-check user inputs against established rules, formats and thresholds.

Automated validation functions can identify issues such as incomplete fields, duplicate records or formatting errors, prompting users to correct them before final submission. This not only strengthens data integrity but also minimises rework and disputes, ultimately boosting operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

In addition, digitisation fosters consistency in progress claim submissions by standardising formats, templates and workflows across various teams and projects. Many digital solutions come equipped with built-in templates, checklists and guidance features that help users complete claims accurately and comprehensively. By streamlining and standardising the submission process, contractors benefit from improved data quality, easier reporting and analysis, as well as enhanced collaboration among stakeholders.

Progress Claims Go Digital

The shift towards digital progress claims in construction offers many benefits that extend beyond mere efficiency gains. By embracing digital solutions, companies can effectively mitigate risk, enhance compliance, reduce administrative overhead and improve their data’s overall accuracy and integrity.

Ultimately, digitising the progress claim process is about empowering contractors to achieve operational excellence and deliver exceptional services on and off the construction site.

Chamika Ingilizian is a technical product manager,at BuildingPoint, official Authorised Trimble Reseller in Australia. She helps Trimble construction customers in the APAC region refine challenging business processes through connected construction software solutions.