Most CMiC implementations don’t fail because of software.
They fail because teams go live unprepared.
Whether it’s payroll misfires, broken job cost setups, data issues, or field teams refusing to use the system — we’ve seen firsthand how easily go-lives can fall apart.
This article is your real-world CMiC go-live checklist — built from years of helping construction firms launch (and rescue) CMiC systems that actually work.
Who this is for:
- General contractors and specialty contractors using CMiC
- CFOs, Controllers, ERP Managers, Payroll leads, Field Ops
- Anyone leading a CMiC implementation or preparing for go-live
The Real Cost of a Bad Go-Live
When CMiC goes live before it’s ready:
- Payroll errors ripple through the company
- Field adoption drops to zero
- Forecasting reports don’t match job reality
- PMs revert to Excel — and trust in the system disappears
And it’s not just frustration — it’s lost revenue, compliance risk, and months of manual rework.
What “Go-Live Ready” Really Means
It’s more than just turning the system on.
To be truly ready, you must:
- Validate core workflows end-to-end
- Test and confirm payroll accuracy
- Clean and structure your job cost data
- Prep field teams with hands-on training
- Build reporting and dashboards BEFORE launch
- Have a clear cutover and rollback plan
Your CMiC Go-Live Checklist
Let’s break it down step-by-step:
1️⃣ Start with a Real Discovery Phase
Don’t rush it. Map out current vs. future state. Bring Payroll, Field, Finance, and Ops to the table. Catch hidden process landmines early.
2️⃣ Build the Right Team
You need more than IT. Appoint owners across departments. Form a cross-functional steering team with clear accountability.
3️⃣ Prioritize Payroll Setup Early
Multi-union? Multi-state? Fringe benefits? Start payroll testing early, run parallel checks, and validate cost codes before go-live.
4️⃣ Engage Field Teams from Day One
Train superintendents early. Pilot Daily Logs, Checklists, and CrewTime. Simplify the mobile experience and gather feedback often.
5️⃣ Clean and Validate Your Data
Dirty data = a broken system. Scrub vendor records, employee data, open contracts, budgets, and job cost structures before loading.
6️⃣ Reporting Setup Before Go-Live
Build Jasper, CMiC BI, or Power BI reports before you launch. Don't fly blind — empower leadership with clear dashboards and job visibility.
7️⃣ Cutover + Contingency Plan
Don’t assume go-live weekend will go smoothly. Create a task-by-task cutover plan. Build a rollback path. Staff your support team early.
8️⃣ Prep for Post-Go-Live Optimization
Go-live is just the beginning. Build a Phase 1.5 plan. Schedule 30/60/90-day checkpoints. Train. Listen. Adjust. Improve.
How ProTek Partners Helps CMiC Clients Succeed
At ProTek Partners, we specialize in:
- Full CMiC Implementations and Upgrades
- Payroll & HR setups (multi-union, multi-state, ESS, fringes)
- Job Cost, Forecasting, and WIP accuracy
- CrewTime, Checklists, and field team adoption
- Reporting: Jasper, CMiC BI, Power BI dashboards
- Rescue projects after failed go-lives
We don’t just configure CMiC. We make it work for the people who use it every day — from accounting to the job site.
Real-World Example
One client came to us after a failed CMiC launch:
- Payroll errors weekly
- Job cost reports were unreliable
- Field refused to use mobile tools
We restructured Payroll, rebuilt job cost categories, simplified CrewTime, and delivered a Power BI suite.
Within 90 days:
- Payroll accuracy reached 99.9%
- Forecasting stabilized
- Field adoption jumped over 80%
That’s the power of going live the right way.
Want More?
This article is part of The ProTek Blueprint — a monthly blog series helping construction firms maximize the value of their CMiC system.
Coming next month:
“The Hidden Cost of CMiC Payroll Errors — and How to Fix Them for Good”
