Why Project Managers need Construction Permitting Software

In the fast-paced world of construction, it’s your job to make sure projects stay on track and on budget. But one part of the pre-construction workflow that’s hard to control is permitting.

You might be managing a few active projects, or maybe over 50. One permit is sitting in review, another needs a re-submittal, and you didn’t realize a form for another submittal was due last week. Your team is asking when they can mobilize, but there’s no clear answer.

What if there was a way to make permitting more predictable, so you could focus on delivering projects instead of chasing after updates?

Why permitting is hard for project managers

Every jurisdiction is different

What passes in one city gets rejected in another. You might not even know about specific forms or format requirements for a certain AHJ. Unclear standards, various processes, and inconsistent feedback all cause avoidable delays.

Why are building requirements hard to navigate? Read about it here.

Applications have no visibility

Project updates can come through emails, phone calls, or third parties. It’s often unclear whether a reviewer has even reviewed your submittal, or how long you can expect to wait before hearing back.

Accountability breaks down quickly

When permits stall, project managers are the first to be asked why. But the root cause could be an outdated plan set, a missing document, or a city backlog, none of which are visible in real time.

Tracking is manual

You’re logging updates in spreadsheets, forwarding reviewer comments, and chasing documents across teams. Handling these time-consuming tasks don’t move the project forward.

Your tools are fragmented

Architects, expediters, internal teams, and municipalities all use different systems, or none at all. Coordination becomes a job of its own.

What better permitting can look like for project managers

Construction permitting software helps project managers move ahead from reaction to control.

• Surface requirements for any city to help teams submit complete packages
• Live status tracking to ensure nothing slips through the cracks
• Task-level ownership that clarifies who is responsible for what and when
• Alerts and forecasts help teams get ahead of potential delays
• A centralized platform that eliminates siloed communication

With the right tools, permitting can become structured, transparent, and manageable, so you can focus on delivery and not document wrangling.

Permitting software is a must-have for project managers

For teams used to spreadsheets or expediters, permitting software can sound like a more polished tracker. But the best software solutions go further than just tracking.

Permitting software can help teams automate jurisdiction research, reduce back-and-forth on missing items, and identify risks before delays happen. They create a single source of truth across architecture, internal teams, and third-party consultants.

Learn more: Understanding Construction Permitting Software

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