RFIs, Submittals, and Change Orders Aren’t the Problem – Your Process Is

Construction Management has Evolved, So Should Your Workflows

The construction industry loses $177 billion every year due to poor communication and ineffective data management, according to the Construction Industry Institute (CII) and Bentley Systems. Delays caused by unresolved RFIs, outdated submittals, and mismanaged change orders are key contributors, leading to bad project data, inflated costs, extensive rework, and strained stakeholder relationships. 

The good news is that solving these issues doesn’t require an expensive overhaul or retraining your team; you just need to replace the tools you’re using. That’s where the right project management technology comes in.

Rethink RFIs, Reinvent Submittals

Unanswered RFIs can stall a project for days, sometimes weeks, and a typical large-scale project generates over 1,500 submittals. These outdated workflows break down exactly where precision and accuracy matter most. With construction management platforms like Linarc, RFIs will no longer sit unanswered, and submittals will no longer be lost in an email black hole. 

Project Management Software Helps You:

• Auto-assign RFIs to the correct reviewer
• Timestamp and track every RFI and response in real time
• Access version-controlled submittals from anywhere, on any device
• Link submittals directly to your schedule for proactive delay detection
• Maintain full audit trails of who approved what and when

No more guessing or working off the wrong submittal, just clarity, accountability, and action.

Change Orders Without The Chaos

Change orders are stressful, but they don’t have to be disruptive. They’re a common part of construction, arising from site conditions, client requests, coordination conflicts, and unforeseen/uncontrollable issues. (Mother Nature doesn’t care about your deadlines.) 

Change orders, on average, add an additional 7-10% cost increase to total project value, erode budgets, and cause schedule slippage. Why? 

Most teams are still using paper forms, siloed workflows, and scattered spreadsheets to run multi-million dollar projects. These outdated processes cause delays, inefficient data, mishandled management, and strained relationships.

According to KPMG’s construction survey, Make It or Break It, poorly managed change orders are among the top 3 drivers of profit fade in construction.

The good news is that when handled correctly and with the right system, change orders can become a strategic advantage instead of a liability. When time, clarity, and accountability

What That Looks Like:

• Digitally initiate change orders from the office or field
• Instantly update budgets and schedules with projected impact
• Enable e-signatures for rapid approvals
• Log every step automatically with audit-ready documentation

How to Take Control Without Losing Control

Construction professionals who succeed in 2025 and beyond are the ones who own their information flow. It’s not just about managing paperwork and admin tasks; it’s about reducing friction and manual input time through centralized communication, one source of truth, and real-time visibility.

Start With These 4 Moves:

1. Digitize RFIs and standardize workflows
2. Centralize submittals with real-time version control
3. Integrate change orders directly into your master schedule
4. Adopt a platform that brings it all together and works with you

When Workflows Connect, Teams Collaborate

When you stop treating RFIs, submittals, and change orders as isolated admin tasks and start managing them through one unified, real-time, and collaborative system. 

The Results:

• Real-time scope clarity for field crews
• Aligned stakeholders and improved trust
• Fewer disputes, tighter schedules
• Reduced profit fade and better project outcomes

Poor documentation and mismanaged workflows cost time, money, and, worse, credibility. With a software platform like Linarc, you build trust into every process, from blueprint to build-out.

Conclusion: Don’t Just Take Back Control, Master It

The realities of construction, RFIs, submittals, and change orders will never disappear. But the costly disruptions they cause can. 

Modern construction teams are moving beyond fragmented systems and reactive workflows, choosing dynamic platforms that align communication, streamline approvals, and accelerate delivery. Purpose-built solutions like Linarc don’t just digitize the process; they streamline it, helping firms resolve faster, reduce disputes, and protect their margins. 

If your team is still fighting fires instead of managing progress, ask yourself this: What would your margins look like if every RFI, submittal, and change order worked for you, not against you? Want to learn more, schedule a demo today.