In construction, delays often happen when no one is sure who owns the next step. An RFI may be waiting on a response, a submittal may need review, or a change-related item may be sitting between the contractor, design team, construction manager, or owner. eComm® uses Ball in Court to make that responsibility visible.
For teams looking for Ball in Court construction software, eComm’s Ball in Court process helps show where an item currently sits, who needs to act next, and how the item moves through the project workflow.
The purpose of Ball in Court
In eComm, Ball in Court identifies where an item is in the workflow process. If an item reads “Needs Your Attention,”the user should open the item and process it so it can move to the next step in the workflow. eComm’s item logs are designed to show document activity, workflow status, and the current Ball in Court position for project items such as RFIs, submittals, pay applications, reports, and other construction documentation.
This creates a clear structure for construction workflow accountability. Instead of relying only on email chains or spreadsheets, project teams can use eComm to see where responsibility currently sits and what needs to happen next.
For example, a submittal may begin with a subcontractor or supplier, move to the general contractor for review, and then move to the design team when it is ready for their review. eComm workflows can be mapped so each item follows the required path before it reaches the next responsible party.
How Ball in Court supports accountability
The value of eComm Ball in Court is that it connects each open item to a responsible party or role. This supports project responsibility tracking by giving team members visibility into who owns the next action.
eComm’s internal materials describe Ball in Court as supporting control, accountability, approval speed, efficiency, and transparency. The same materials also note that Ball in Court helps provide clear visibility to the responsible person and reduces inefficiencies associated with traditional email and spreadsheet tracking.
This is especially important on construction projects because responsibilities often move between multiple parties. A general contractor may need to review information before it reaches the architect or engineer. A design team may need to respond before an item can return to the contractor. An owner may need to approve a final step. Ball in Court helps make those handoffs visible.
Customer feedback also supports this value. General contractor survey responses note that workflow history, Ball in Court, and automatic email notifications save time compared with tracking items through spreadsheets or searching through emails.
Open items, closed items, and next actions
In eComm, Ball in Court is closely tied to the status of an item. Training materials explain that eComm items are generally either open or closed. An open item is something that is still in a Ball in Court workflow. A closed item has passed through the Ball in Court process, has been reviewed or statused, and becomes part of the permanent project record for future reference and closeout.
This distinction helps users understand what needs attention now versus what has already been completed. Open items represent active construction task ownership. Closed items represent completed workflow activity that remains available in the project record.
The dashboard also supports this process. Each user’s dashboard is based on the items in their court or items that were previously in their court and have moved forward or backward in the workflow. The project dashboard and item logs can be sorted and filtered, helping users focus on the items that matter most.
Common Ball in Court best practices
To get the most value from Ball in Court construction software, project teams should use eComm consistently and follow the established workflow paths.
First, post items in the correct item log. eComm item logs are where new items are posted and processed, and workflows are predetermined customizable paths that move an item from creation to closure.
Second, review your dashboard regularly. Training materials emphasize that Ball in Court, item types, dates, and due dates are important for keeping teams organized and moving work forward.
Third, process items when they are in your court. If an item says “Needs Your Attention,” users should open it, review the details, add comments or attachments if needed, and submit it to the next workflow step.
Fourth, use filters and search tools. eComm allows users to filter item logs by Ball in Court, description, keywords, dates, and status. This helps teams find active items quickly and avoid losing track of responsibilities.
Finally, keep the project team aligned on expectations. Ball in Court works best when all project participants understand their role in the workflow and use eComm as the shared place for project communication, documentation, and next actions.
Key takeaway
Ball in Court in eComm is more than a status label. It is a workflow accountability tool that shows who owns the next action, where an item sits in the process, and how project information moves from one responsible party to the next.
For construction teams that need better project responsibility tracking, stronger construction workflow accountability, and clearer construction task ownership, eComm Ball in Court helps reduce confusion, improve visibility, and keep project documentation moving through the proper workflow.
Schedule an eComm demo today to see ball in court in action.