Procore Technologies

Create and manage Requests-for-Information (RFIs) using Procore's RFI Tool.

Requests-for-Information (RFIs) can help a project run smoothly and on schedule, or they can cause delays that can mean cost overruns and lost profit. Most construction software doesn't attempt to address the root cause of RFI problems - poor communication and a lack of accountability from the people responsible for answering or "closing" an RFI. Timely RFI management is key to good schedule management, which in turn is fundamental to effective project cost management.

The project architect and engineers don't even have to log into Procore to answer an RFI - they simply reply using email and Procore does the rest. Procore's unique ease-of-use makes it simple to get team members to to use our software. Your trade partners don't have time to learn "yet another" construction project management tool just for your project. So don't make them learn anything new - with Procore's email functionality, there's zero learning curve. Responding to a Procore RFI is as simple as replying to an email. There's no formal training required.

Procore's approach to construction project management software is different. Procore not only organizes RFIs -- Procore also brings transparency and accountability to the RFI process. The result is unique among construction software packages - Procore actually can help to improve the workflow associated with RFIs, instead of simply tracking those requests.

RFIs are usually created when a contractor or builder lacks required information from another construction project team member. Often, this information consists of detailed specifications from architects, engineers, or designers. Project team members may have particular parts, measurements, or other information that is not available to the contractor. Without the answers to the questions contained in RFIs, the construction project can be halted. Responses that contain scope changes to the contract documents may impact schedule and cost. Procore allows you to spot these changes earlier, so that issues can be resolved before they become a detriment to the project schedule and budget.

Procore uses email to document and manage information regarding individual Requests for Information (RFIs) for every construction project. A Procore user creates an RFI by clicking a single button on the RFI page and then assigning the RFI to a project team member. In addition to the person responsible for closing the RFI, Procore can also create a distribution list of the people affected by this RFI - in this way Procore's construction project management software brings transparency and accountability to the RFI process. The RFI is no longer a single fax between the contractor and the architect. Instead, the RFI becomes an email between project team members, with copies to any other individuals who may be affected by that RFI. The person responsible for closing that RFI knows that other people on the project team now are aware of his vital role in helping the project move forward.

Procore's approach to construction project management also takes advantage of scheduled, automatic reminders in order to keep the RFI process on track. A due date can be set for every RFI to be closed. In the event that the RFI is not marked as complete by that date, Procore's construction software will automatically send out overdue reminder emails to all parties on the distribution list for that RFI. Again, Procore brings accountability and transparency to the RFI process by not letting any RFIs get "swept under the rug" or forgotten.

Procore's "Related To" feature allows every RFI to be linked to other documents within Procore. For example, when an RFI is related to a change order and a set of drawings, those relationships will be noted and saved in Procore and displayed on the relevant detail pages for the RFI, the change order and the documents. Procore makes it possible to always have the complete and current information regarding any RFI, and not just a partial story.

Procore adds value beyond the typical construction project management software by keeping track of the various communications involved with closing each RFI. The email trail of back-and-forth communications is tracked and archived for each RFI by Procore, allowing the full history of every RFI to be recalled and reviewed at any time in the future, either during construction or long after the course of construction has been completed.