In Indian construction projects, timelines depend heavily on timely material availability. Even a small delay in cement, steel, sand, electrical, plumbing, or finishing materials can slow down site work, waste labour hours, and increase overall project cost. Still, many project teams depend on spreadsheets, phone calls, and WhatsApp messages to manage materials, which often leads to confusion and missed follow-ups.
buildcontrol’s material delay tracking software helps construction teams manage materials in a systematic and digital way, ensuring better visibility, faster action, and smoother project execution.
Impact of Material Delays on Indian Construction Projects
Material delays affect multiple areas of a project at the same time:
- Labour remains idle while waiting for materials
- Site activities on the critical path get delayed
- Urgent purchases increase procurement costs
- Coordination between site and office teams suffers
- Client trust and project credibility are affected
Without a proper system to track materials from request to delivery, these delays are noticed only when work on site comes to a standstill.
Problems with Traditional Material Tracking Methods
1. Unorganised Communication
Material requests and follow-ups are shared through calls, WhatsApp, emails, and paper notes. This scattered communication makes it difficult to track responsibility and current status.
2. No Live Material Status
Project managers often do not have real-time information on whether materials are approved, ordered, dispatched, or delayed. This leads to last-minute decisions and firefighting on site.
3. Manual Errors and Missing Data
Manual registers and spreadsheets are prone to mistakes. Wrong quantities, missing delivery entries, and outdated stock records directly cause material shortages and delays.
How buildcontrol Helps Track and Reduce Material Delays
Digital Material Request and Approval System
With buildcontrol, site engineers can raise material requests digitally by entering required quantity, specifications, and delivery dates. These requests follow a clear approval workflow, reducing delays caused by missed approvals or unclear requirements.
This ensures procurement teams can plan and order materials on time.
Real-Time Tracking of Purchase Orders and Deliveries
All purchase orders created in buildcontrol are tracked from issue to delivery. The system records supplier confirmation, expected delivery dates, and actual delivery status. At the site, materials can be received with quantity checks and photo records.
This helps ensure materials reach the site as planned and discrepancies are identified immediately.
Live Inventory Visibility Across Sites
For contractors managing multiple projects, buildcontrol provides a single dashboard showing stock levels, material usage, and pending requests across all sites.
This visibility helps in better stock utilisation, reduces over-ordering, and avoids material shortages.
Key Benefits of Using buildcontrol
Better Project Planning
With clear visibility of material status, teams can plan site activities with confidence and avoid unnecessary downtime.
Improved Coordination Between Teams
Site, procurement, and project management teams work on a single platform, reducing miscommunication and rework.
Cost Control and Reduced Wastage
Accurate tracking prevents excess ordering, duplicate purchases, and emergency procurement at higher prices.
Data-Based Decision Making
Past data on supplier performance and delivery timelines helps management improve procurement planning and vendor selection.
Conclusion
Material delays are one of the most common reasons for construction project delays in India. Manual tracking methods increase risk and reduce efficiency.
buildcontrol’s material delay tracking software brings transparency, control, and accountability to material management – helping construction teams complete projects on time and within budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is material delay tracking software?
It is a digital system that tracks material requests, approvals, purchase orders, deliveries, and inventory to identify delays early.
How does buildcontrol help reduce construction delays?
buildcontrol provides real-time visibility, automatic alerts, and structured workflows that help teams manage material-related risks proactively.
Can site engineers raise material requests from the site?
Yes. Site engineers can raise and track material requests directly through the platform for faster action.
Does buildcontrol alert teams about late deliveries?
Yes. The system sends alerts and dashboard updates for late or at-risk materials so teams can respond quickly.