Define the minimum useful record
Buildertrend daily logs can capture the job, date, title, tags, attachments, notes, weather, notifications, permissions, and custom fields. Consistency improves when the company defines which of those elements are required for its own operating needs.
- Work completed
- Crews or trades present
- Constraints and delays
- Deliveries and inspections
- Photos tied to meaningful notes
- Tomorrow’s critical need
Decide who should see each log
Buildertrend supports visibility for internal users, subcontractors or vendors, clients, and private entries. Establish default visibility and an exception rule before the field team begins publishing.
- Default internal audience
- When trade partners should be notified
- What is appropriate for client visibility
- What requires a restricted internal record
- Who reviews sensitive entries
Use tags and custom fields sparingly
Tags and custom fields can improve filtering and reporting, but excessive choices make field adoption worse. Add a field only when someone reviews or acts on it.
- Keep the tag list short
- Use consistent issue categories
- Retire unused custom fields
- Review missing logs by user and project
- Coach from real examples instead of adding more fields