Construction Project Management Software Features - Work Orders

A Work Order (WO) is issued when extra work needs to be performed on the project. From a billing standpoint, Work Orders are processed differently depending on the contract type. For a fixed lump sum contract, a Work Order typically serves as an authorization to proceed with work that has not been included in the original contract. The Work Order's estimated or actual costs would then be transferred into a Prime Contract Change Order (CO) or Subcontract Change Order (SCO) which later would be invoiced. For cost plus contracts, Work Orders can be issued to field staff for repair work, general maintenance, or new construction. In this scenario, Work Orders are typically converted directly to a contract invoice if it is billable. Wizards are also available in Corecon to transfer multiple Work Orders to an individual Change Order (CO), Subcontract Change Order (SCO), or Invoice depending on the type of contract.

Handling Backcharges Using the Work Order Feature

Work Orders can also be used to track Backcharges since the process is basically the same. For example, a Work Order can be issued to Subcontractor B (i.e. Drywall Sub) to resolve an issue caused by Subcontractor A (i.e. Plumbing Sub). As a result, Subcontractor A would be issued a negative Subcontract Change Order (SCO) or pay Subcontractor B directly for the cost incurred by the Work Order.

Communicating Work Orders to Field Staff

Many contractor’s face challenges of providing up to date information on projects to field staff. Since Corecon 2007’s is all web-based, field staff can access Work Order information directly from a laptop using a wireless data link card. In addition, Corecon’s Handheld solution provides information on Work Orders to mobile phones (Palm, Blackberry, Windows Mobile 5.0/6.0).