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.