Punch Item Workflow Coordination for Multi-Team Task Closure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional punch list management in construction projects, whether in hard copy or electronic formats, faces inefficiencies in distribution and management across multiple teams, leading to delays and potential financial and reputational risks due to incomplete tasks.

Innovation Solution

A computing system that coordinates and guides the creation and completion of punch items through interactions between creators, managers, and assignees, transitioning responsibilities and states using a 'Full' or 'PMC' workflow, enabling efficient task management and closure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a punch list is created and managed in hard copy form, then it can be distributed to individuals responsible for punch items, but difficulties and delays occur in distribution and management across multiple teams

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistribution and management of punch listVSAvoiddelays in distributing and managing punch items

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical hard copy distribution system with an electronic computing system that automatically distributes punch list items to multiple teams and individuals through digital platforms, eliminating manual distribution delays and enabling real-time access across the construction project

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If punch items are tracked manually across multiple construction teams, then individual task completion can be monitored, but efficiency issues and coordination difficulties arise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking of punch item completionVSAvoidefficiency of managing punch items across teams

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The computing system provides a universal platform that serves multiple functions simultaneously: creating punch items, assigning them to different teams, tracking completion status, managing deadlines, and generating reports, thereby improving both reliability of tracking and productivity through consolidated management

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automated feedback mechanisms that continuously update all stakeholders on punch item status, completion progress, and upcoming deadlines, enabling real-time coordination across multiple teams without manual communication overhead

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If punch items are not completed in a timely manner, then the construction project can proceed, but financial loss and reputational damage occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetimely completion of punch itemsVSAvoidfinancial loss and reputational damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically notifying assignees of upcoming deadlines, sending reminders before due dates, and proactively alerting stakeholders of potential delays, enabling timely completion of punch items and preventing financial loss and reputational damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12443904B2Computer system and method for coordinating process of creating and managing a punch item

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 PROCORE TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A punch item management tool may be provided that coordinates and guides the process of taking a punch item from creation to completion. As one possibility, the punch item management tool may coordinate and guide the interactions between a creator of a punch item, a punch item manager for the punch item, and one or more assignees that are expected to perform work on the punch item. As another possibility, the punch item management tool may coordinate and guide the interactions between an individual serving the dual role of creator and punch item manager for a punch item and one or more assignees that are expected to perform work on the punch item. In either case, the punch item management tool may provide a user interface including various views through which these individuals may interact with one or more punch items.