by Imed Bouchrika, Phd
With so much complexity inherent in managing public works, doing it efficiently has become the mandate of digital technology—from issuing permits and work orders to planning budgets and avoiding cost escalation. In fact, under a new popular public digital transformation paradigm, digital tools are no longer just only intertwined but are also considered pillars of the redesigning and reengineering of “government services from the ground up to fulfill changing user needs (Mergel et. al, 2018).”
In terms of planning, implementing, and maintaining public works projects, a good deal of useful software solutions are available to provide the backbone of operations. In this article, you will know the best public works software tools in no particular order—from highly-specialized platforms to general public works management products. In this way, you will have a better idea of which ones can help your specific organization be more effective and fit your current selection of the best public sector software stack.
Public works in the United States are far from being the best models of efficiency. They are deemed underfunded (American Society of Civil Engineers, 2022), while experts have pointed out their inaccuracies in demand forecasting and cost estimations. The underlying causes are plenty, among which is the evolving political causes (see Flyvbjerg, Skamris Holm, & Buhl, 2005). But for the most part, they all boil down to the quality of planning and implementation—as it is for the management profession in all industries.
In transportation, a main public works area, the problems are quite pronounced. Cost escalations have been found to be rampant. Firstly, they have been found to be strongly dependent on the length of implementation (Flyvberg et al., 2011). Secondly, cost escalations have been seen to be present in projects that become larger over time. These are planning and projection issues that involve a variety of management areas—from HR and project management to budgeting and maintenance planning. Without a way to manage them effectively, expensive projects could be riddled with inaccuracies at the onset.
In fact, this is the case for demand forecasts. One study by Flyvbjerg, Skamris Holm, and Buhl (2005) found that in 210 public works projects across 14 nations worth $59 billion, 90% of rail projects and passenger forecasts were overestimated—with the average overestimation at 106%. For about 50% of road projects, the difference between forecast and actual traffic is more than 20%. These findings, of course, have serious repercussions that involve tax dollars.
Even though public construction in 2021 only accounted for 21.75% of average monthly construction spending in the United States, the figure still reached $346.3 billion (Statista, 2022). In fact, this is the second-highest average monthly public works expenditure since 2015, only trailing 2020’s average of $361.12 per month. This shows that public infrastructure projects in the country are not slowing down. This is to be expected as new infrastructures are constructed and existing ones demand maintenance and repairs. This is especially so for public roads. In fact, recent estimates show that over 62% of roadway spending was for system preservation (ASCE, 2022).
Source: Statista, 2022
Spending this much, however, is still not enough. In 2021, it was found that 43% of the system was in poor or mediocre condition (American Society of Civil Engineers, 2022). Also, the share of vehicle miles traveled on roads in “poor” condition has risen to more than 17% from 15% over the last decade. One factor singled out for this, according to the ASCE (2022), is that roadway maintenance has been underfunded for years. This is also compounded by other inefficiencies in planning and implementation across different levels of government.
This would be very apparent when you take cost escalation statistics around the world into consideration. In 15 fixed links projects, it was found that average cost escalations for traditional public-owned and state-owned enterprise projects were 23.1% and 110%, respectively (Flyvberg et al., 2011). In 25 rail projects, state-owned enterprise high-speed rail projects had an average of 88% cost escalation. Conventional publicly-owned urban rail projects have an average of 53.5% cost escalation. Also, as mentioned in the previous section, demand forecasting is not any better.
Source: Flyvberg, Skarmis Holm, & Buhl, 2011
Hence, besides increasing funding, the ASCE (2022) suggests the development of “state and local level comprehensive transportation asset management plans that link asset management efforts to long-term transportation planning and incorporate the use of life-cycle cost analysis.” Agencies, however, do not have to build this framework from scratch. Tools for planning and implementation with these in tow are readily available in public works software solutions.
As mentioned, a platform that integrates different areas of planning and implementation together is required to effectively manage public works projects. These include demand forecasting, costing, labor management, predictive maintenance, geographical mapping, and financial management, among others. If data from these seemingly disparate management areas are not put to bear on each other, accurate and more meaningful analysis would not be available for planning. It would make up-to-date executive visibility impossible.
Public works software solutions make these happen. In the most basic sense, planning capability and real-time visibility for management are what make public works software tools very important. These tools allow government agencies to deal with backlogs better and plan contingencies more efficiently.
Source: American Society of Civil Engineers, 2022
This is very important in the United States where there is a $786 billion backlog of capital needs for bridges and roads (ASCE, 2022). Also, long-term contingency planning for unforeseen environmental or force majeure causes is also needed. Experts estimate that pavement costs each year by 2040 will increase by $19 billion because of rising temperatures. Should public works agencies fail to deal with backlogs and contingency planning, great economic repercussions are to be expected. This is because the nation’s road and highway system moves 72% or around $17 trillion of U.S. goods.
Of course, just having public works software solutions is not the only answer. As Flyvberg and colleagues (2005) noted, the “cure is transparency, accountability, and new forecasting methods.” The challenge, they added, is “to change the governance structures for forecasting and project development (Flyvberg et al., 2005).
But, as we noted, digital platforms are involved in this change. The undergird the shift and allow, limit, or expand what can be thought of and done with public works projects. Moreover, these platforms integrate with other public administration solutions. Thus, siloes could be eliminated and an integrated view of governance can be achieved.
These said, below are the best public works software solutions available today. Note that they are not arranged in any order. This is because they come in different kinds and flavors—from specialized technical solutions to more general management platforms. Thus, it would be possible to build a good software stack with multiple solutions on this list.
Cityworks is a go-to GIS-centric infrastructure management solution used for local governments and utility agencies to streamline operations. In fact, it is one of the best public works software solutions available in terms of well-roundedness. It provides them with comprehensive tools for permitting and public asset management that support the infrastructure lifecycle. These have end-to-end functionalities, from permits and construction to maintenance and replacement. In essence, Cityworks is two software products rolled into one with Cityworks AMS for asset management and Cityworks PLL for permitting, licensing, and land management.
The platform is built exclusively on ArcGIS. Hence, it is designed to leverage GIS data to help optimize the operations of agency users. Cityworks also integrates with other software solutions and frameworks. These include Woolpert for hydrant flow testing and an e-Builder for construction project visibility. The solution also has mobile versions for both iOS and Android devices.
STAR Road offers end-to-end road management solutions ranging from work order and equipment management to road materials and inventory management. The platform also has modules for easy mapping and road sign management. Moreover, STAR Road has a Time Sheet module that tracks costs based on employee time cards.
All of these work together to provide users not only with a 360-degree view of their fixed assets but also drill-down capabilities. STAR Road makes useful information from repair costs and material options to even know what day a high reflective tape was added to a stop sign.
EnerGov is a comprehensive public sector software solution suite. It is a product by Tyler Technologies, a market leader in public sector software solutions. The company has management software tools for civic services, corrections, and even disability and benefits included in the suite. Public works solutions can be found in its Public Administration module. These include ERP, Property and Recording, and Land and Official Records.
These include tools for record management, regulatory compliance, property data management, and self-service portals for constituents. Moreover, it has a Civic Service module that allows users to streamline community development, permitting and licensing processes, and enterprise asset management. Moreover, it even has a module for Parks and Recreation management. Overall, EnerGov is one of the most comprehensive public sector software solutions with robust public works management features.
MyGov is a suite of web-based solutions for public services with tools ranging from asset management to geographic information system (GIS) mapping. Its asset management module allows users to manage schedules, budgets, inventory, and cycle counts. Moreover, its work order management module has features for job tracking, personnel management, public infrastructure maintenance, and agency equipment maintenance.
MyGov also increases visibility. Locations for public works projects such as those for centerlines, landmarks, wastewater, parcel, and historic assets can be tracked using its GIS mapping feature. Furthermore, the feature allows users to customize attributes and even create layers. Hence, it can be customized to reflect real-time public works activities.
Elements XS is a clean and simple GIS-centric software solution used by utility companies and local governments. It provides them with tools for managing public works, streets, traffic, and even park and recreation departments, among others. These include features such as inventory management, work order management, fleet management, routine maintenance management, and permitting.
The platform uses an intuitive highly-visual design, making it easily operable even by novices. Hence, it is highly usable right out of the box. The product also integrates with other platforms such as Esri ArcGIS for mapping and MuniBilling for cloud utility payments. As it is a web-based solution, it can be accessed by users via any device and browser.
PubWorks is a mobile-ready public works management software solution. It offers users easy-to-use tools for managing work orders, service requests, asset management, fleet maintenance, and job costing, among others. The platform is also known for its extensive list of ready-to-run reports that reach more than 700 in number.
The platform is also accessible via its mobile application. So, field personnel will always be in the loop and be able to make updates in real-time. Moreover, PubWorks integrates with third-party solutions, including software for fuel systems, work orders, HR, and financial management. The list includes Tree Plotter, Fuel Master, Cenex, and Spring Book.
BigChange is a leading field service management solution that is flexible enough for public works use. In fact, the platform is not only widely-used among facilities management and utility businesses, it is also being used in the public sector and highway maintenance. Its public works solution is essentially a 5-in-1 product with job scheduling, network, back office and CRM, vehicle and asset tracking, and mobile workforce application modules rolled into one.
BigChange also has a GIS feature for intuitive location-based job and asset tracking and management. Moreover, the product integrates seamlessly with other solutions, including Sage, Xero, Power BI, Microsoft, Oracle, and Symology, among a long list of others.
BluePrince offers users tools to effectively manage community development and public administration processes. It has on-premise solutions, ranging from city/county management to planning and zoning. The product also provides users with tools to customize GIS maps that can be used for assets and job management. Moreover, it has customizable executive dashboards for providing city managers with quick statistics and trends.
Other features include a code enforcement software module, permitting, and inspection management. Also, the product has a citizen access portal to make communication and collaboration easier for work requests and licensing. Also, the system can be customized to coordinate with a jurisdiction’s brand.
usDPW by Docufree offers digital transformation tools for public works. usDPW is essentially a document scanning and records management service. The company offers a physical document scanning service for any document of any size. It is exclusively used by public works departments to create a new searchable digital database for their records. Search can be done using GIS data, addresses, or service numbers. With usDPW, users eliminate manual processes and make their operations paperless.
The platform also allows users to add or update information on the go. Using a secure password account, users can access the platform from the field using any device. Also, it has backup capability, allowing. users to download their data anytime.
ArcGIS Online is a popular GIS system used in many industries. And, it is particularly popular in the public sector, especially with public works and parks and recreation departments. In fact, there are many digital public works and field service solutions that build on the ArcGIS framework. Basically, the software is a web-based platform for creating and sharing interactive web maps.
These allow users to create informational layers on top of geographic information to help organizations visualize and track processes like road maintenance or construction projects.
ArcGIS for personal use and students costs $100 per year
Business accounts have custom subscription pricing
GovPilot offers comprehensive digital transformation solutions for local governments, including those for public works departments. The GovPilot cloud-based Department of Public Works solution is made up of eight modules. These include vehicle maintenance, fleet management, and asset management. It also has functionalities for instant reporting, online forms, payment support, GIS mapping, property profile, workflows, and communication. Also, these can integrate seamlessly with other GovPilot modules for court management, engineering, and parking, among many others.
Also, it works well with other third-party solutions. These include Google Maps for GIS, BRT Technologies for tax assessment, and Eagleview from Pictometry. Moreover, it connects with the ICC Code Connect API and the General Code eCode360 API for compliance. The product is also easy to use and very flexible to deploy. This is because it is made available through a templated module pricing scheme.
There are basically four plans and pricing depends on your state, government type, country, and on your personalized consultation.
Cartegraph is a strategic asset management solution with a specialized deployment for public works. This cloud-based solution helps users maintain every asset and streamlines workflows across different aspects of asset management, including work orders and inventory management. Moreover, it offers tracking features for every task such as equipment, labor, and materials.
The platform also offers advanced tools such as a scenario builder, analytics, automations, proactive planning, and preventive maintenance. Moreover, thanks to its open systems model, it offers its API and provides users with integrations with third-party solutions. These include those with ArcGIS, AWS IoT, Workday, and CRM software for citizen engagement such as Salesforce, among others. Also, it has mobile applications for Android and iOS users.
ECAT, which stands for Electronic Compliance Audit Tool allows users to digitize their inspection checklists, reports, and analytics. The platform is used by government agencies among other organizations to help in maintenance management and audits. The solution helps expedite inspections and collect data in real-time from as many locations and engineers as required.
The platform also connects to other solutions such as business information systems. Moreover, the product can be accessed using mobile devices, thanks to its native apps for both iOS and Android devices.
eMaint CMMS is a cloud-based maintenance management system by Fluke, a leader in maintenance and construction hardware and software products. The platform is used by organizations of different sizes in a wide range of industries, including the public sector. eMaint CMMS offers users key maintenance management features in its modules for asset management, work orders management, and PM tasks and schedules.
The solution also provides users with instantly generated reports and dashboards to increase operational visibility. Moreover, it can be accessed through mobile devices via its native applications for iOS and Android users.
iMS Suite is a collection of various applications for community development departments. It has features for managing land development, plan review, permitting, code enforcement, licensing, and inspections. The platform is cloud-based busting HTML 5 and modern technology. Hence, no plug-ins are required to run it.
The suite includes iMSApprovals for applications management, iMSPermits for permitting management, iMSEnforce for easy citizen reporting, and iMSLicenses for cloud-based business license or home occupation permit services. Moreover, the company is known for its proactive hands-on customer service. They also provide customization options for cities and municipalities.
MuniLogic offers users a suite of solutions for digital transformation. This municipality management software solution includes robust features for public works management. These include features for managing properties, tax, GIS mapping, licensing, permitting, and zoning, among others. It is also known for its comprehensive roadway asset management module, complete with maintenance management and reporting.
The company also offers additional services, including GIS consulting, digital transformation consulting, digital risk management service, and setting up MyGovLinks, among many others.
CityReporter is a popular inspection, management, and tracking software used in managing public works operations. It helps users meet national and local regulatory requirements. Its features include those for managing work orders, inspections, and maintenance activities, among others. Moreover, it also allows users to track staff, devices, equipment, vehicles, and stationary assets.
It also sports communication tools such as comments and notes along with instant access to comprehensive full record history. The product is being used to streamline inspections needed for roads, sidewalks, landfills, water and sewage systems, pools, parking lots, and trails, among others.
LAMA Suite by The Davenport Group is a GIS-based integrated local government software solution for managing work orders, code enforcement, licensing, permitting, and project planning. LAMA Suite can be cloud-hosted or users can choose to have an on-premise client. It has features for managing assets, inventory, work orders, inspections, and maintenance. The platform is also accessible via its mobile applications. Hence, field personnel can be kept in the loop and send updates in real-time.
BOSS811 is a cloud-based ticket management solution useful in public works scenarios, from maintenance to inspections. The platform is also billed as a damage prevention solution used primarily in public utilities. It uses GIS mapping as well to locate tasks and even create workflows. Also, it provides driving directions using the most efficient route to make it to their tickets.
The platform also has advanced screening capabilities for routing tasks and workflows. Also, automations for ticket preprocessing are available. For mapping, the platform integrates with Google Maps and ESRI products such as ArcGIS. Lastly, it has mobile applications for both Android and iOS devices.
WaterSmart is a comprehensive customer engagement suite for water utility organizations. It is basically a CRM solution designed to meet the needs of water utility customers—from customer service to online payments. Features include an analytics dashboard, quick bill explainer, and communication tools. Moreover, the platform has a unique interactive money- and water-saving recommendations library.
Aside from the usual alerts, utility end-users also receive My Use Notifications if their water use is higher than normal. Also, the platform is mobile-ready and can be accessed using any mobile device. Lastly, the platform provides users with real-time benchmarks using data from WaterSmart systems with 4 million meters under the company’s management across 120 water utility partners.
The answer to this question really depends on what you need. Also, as mentioned, public works software solutions vary. Some are quite general and some are very specific. Some like GIS mapping tools just focus on that area but they do it very well. You would need other tools on top of them to track assets, conduct analytics, create reports, and many more. Not one solution can really solve everything all at once.
Moreover, the answer also depends on what issues you need solutions for. You could assess weak points. For instance, this could be your CRM, analytics, field service management, GIS mapping, or online digital services. If this is the case, maybe you can do all right with just adopting a standalone solution for a single aspect.
But if you are looking to find a general platform, you would do well with solutions like Cityworks. Solutions like this provide users with a GIS-based framework to locate all assets and manage public works tasks, from construction and repair to sanitation and inspections. Also, these tools also come with analytics features such as quick dashboards and drillable reports. So, they provide users with valuable real-time visibility and the chance to make data-driven decisions.
With such a platform, users will come closer to mitigating inefficiencies, inaccuracies, and misinformation. Moreover, they can streamline processes and align them together with other government processes to optimize spending and offer the best public works services possible. This, of course, can be done through integrations with other government software solutions. So, it is important to choose products that can work well with other solutions.
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