Sub onboarding, by text
A new sub starts mid-project. Their foreman doesn't know the project, doesn't have Procore access, hasn't been on site before. The GC super spends a half-day driving them around. Forward replaces the half-day with a text.
The mid-project ramp-up tax
New subs cycle in throughout a project — finish trades start after framing closes, fire-sprinkler subs replace each other, the original AV sub gets fired and a new one comes in week 20. Every onboarding requires the GC’s super to explain:
- Where the building is + how to get in (parking, access, badging)
- Current state of the build vs the schedule
- Scope boundaries (what the previous sub left, what the next sub starts)
- Key drawings + spec sections for their scope
- Open RFIs that touch their scope
- Project contacts (GC PM, mech foreman, electrical foreman, owner-rep)
- Safety + housekeeping rules (PPE, hot-work permits, smoke-break locations)
Done well, this is 4-6 hours. Done badly (and it usually is), it’s a week of friction.
What Forward does for sub onboarding
The GC sets the new sub up via the Forward dashboard. The new sub’s foreman texts the project number with “new sub onboarding”. Forward returns a project- scoped briefing:
New sub foreman: new sub onboarding — I'm Mike at Brightway
Electric, AV trade
Forward: Welcome to Tower B. Quick brief, then ask anything.
PROJECT:
• Tower B — 14-story commercial office, downtown
• GC: ABC Builders (PM: Sarah Chen, super: Joe Park)
• Schedule: in framing close-out (week 21 of 38)
YOUR SCOPE (AV — division 27 10 00):
• Drawings: A-201 / E-301 / A-RCP
• Open RFIs touching AV: RFI 142 (cable tray dim conflict)
• Spec: 27 10 00 (network), 27 41 00 (AV)
• Predecessor: Glen Electrical (rough-in complete)
• Successor: ATC for commissioning (week 32)
ACCESS:
• Parking: lot B (badge from trailer)
• Hours: 6:30 AM start; latest 7:00 AM badge-in for OSHA
• Smoke break: lot D
• Hot-work permits: trailer, log in book
PROJECT CONTACTS:
• Sarah Chen — GC PM — (817) 555-...
• Joe Park — Super — (817) 555-...
• Maria Lopez — Mech foreman — (817) 555-...
Reply with any question.How to try it
Sub onboarding works once the GC connects the project. Drop your email above to scope a pilot. Sub PMs + foremen text-enroll in 30 seconds from the GC’s invite.
Try Forward right now
Drop your email above for early access — or skip the form and text +1 (682) 300-6750 from your phone. The live demo answers anything you can ask a project manager in plain English — no signup needed.