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Monzony

- Simplifying the Complex -

The Must-Have Tools for Managing Real Estate Projects (and How to Set Them Up)

  • Writer: Yasmin Monzon
    Yasmin Monzon
  • May 1
  • 2 min read

Real estate development is all about coordination — dozens of contractors, endless permits, tight budgets, and shifting timelines. If you’ve ever felt buried under spreadsheets and email chains, you’re not alone. Luckily, today there are powerful tools built specifically to help developers stay in control.


Here are the top platforms I recommend — plus quick tips on how to set them up so they actually work for you.

1. Procore – The All-in-One Construction Platform


Best for: End-to-end project management (documents, budgets, RFIs (Request for Information), punch lists).


  • Why it’s great: Procore centralizes drawings, submittals, and change orders so everyone — from the architect to the subcontractor — sees the same information. No more version confusion.

  • Setup tips:


    1. Start by uploading your project directory (all contractors, subs, vendors).

    2. Create standardized templates for RFIs and Submittals.

    3. Enable mobile access so crews can view plans and log issues in the field.

    4. Connect your accounting software (QuickBooks, Sage) for real-time budget updates.




2. Bluebeam Revu – Digital Plans & Markups


Best for: Architects, engineers, and contractors reviewing drawings.


  • Why it’s great: Ditch the endless paper sets. Bluebeam lets you mark up PDFs, compare versions, and keep all revisions synced.

  • Setup tips:


    1. Create discipline-specific layers (structural, MEP, finishes).

    2. Use tool sets to standardize markup symbols across your team.

    3. Save everything to a shared drive (Dropbox, OneDrive, or directly through Bluebeam Studio).




3. Smartsheet – Flexible Scheduling & Reporting


Best for: Smaller developers who need structure but don’t want something too heavy.


  • Why it’s great: It feels like Excel but works like project management software. Great for tracking permitting timelines, budgets, and progress dashboards.

  • Setup tips:


    1. Import your construction schedule from Excel or MS Project.

    2. Create a dashboard that pulls live data (permits pending, inspections scheduled, payments made).

    3. Share view-only links with investors or owners for transparency.




4. PlanGrid / Autodesk Build – Field Collaboration


Best for: On-site crews and inspectors.


  • Why it’s great: Mobile-first design — crews can see the latest drawings, flag issues, and upload photos from the field.

  • Setup tips:


    1. Sync it with your main project management tool (like Procore).

    2. Set up issue tags (safety, QC, punch list) for fast categorization.

    3. Train field staff in short sessions — adoption is key for these tools to work.




5. DocuSign – Contracts & Compliance


Best for: Speeding up approvals.


  • Why it’s great: No more chasing wet signatures. Keep all contracts, change orders, and permits moving digitally.

  • Setup tips:


    1. Upload your standard contract templates.

    2. Create folders by project for easy tracking.

    3. Set up automatic reminders so signatures don’t fall through the cracks.




Final Thoughts


The tools themselves won’t fix broken processes. What matters is consistent setup and adoption:


  • Pick 1–2 tools that solve your biggest pain points (budget control? field communication?).

  • Standardize templates and workflows.

  • Train your team — because the best system is useless if people don’t use it.


Once set up properly, platforms like Procore, Bluebeam, and Smartsheet transform chaos into control — saving you both time and money while keeping projects on schedule.

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