The 2020 Guide to Construction Project Management Software

According to Deloitte’s 2020 Engineering and Construction Industry Outlook, rising operating costs and labor shortages will require construction companies to devise new partnership models and project structures to remain competitive this year. Construction-focused project management software is the simplest solution for managing multiple, complex projects while maximizing efficiency and monitoring processes to prevent conflicts.

Below we’ve compiled a list of the top 3 construction software platforms with the best project management capabilities. We’ve also got some suggestions for project management software that isn’t construction-specific, but known for integrating well with existing construction management software or being easily customized to suit construction companies’ needs.  

Versatile Construction Project Management Software

The three tools featured in this section (Procore, Bluebeam Revu, and PlanGrid) are all construction-specific tools with great project management features. They are all on the Construction software category TrustMap, which indicates that they are some of the highest-rated and most researched construction platforms on our site. They also have over 60 reviews each on TrustRadius.

Procore 

Procore is an all-in-one construction management platform. It allows multiple users, with varying permission levels, to collaborate on project dashboards at any time. Procore is mobile-friendly and allows users to manage projects on or off-site, with data pulled from multiple sources being updated instantly.

With Procore, you’ll have access to crucial project management features including document management and reports, submittals, and RFI software. Its offerings all allow for unlimited users and data. Because you can unify several tools into one platform, Procore is a great option for enterprise construction businesses.

Procore packages start at $375 per month, and annual contracts are required. If you are a small business construction contractor, the investment can be a little steep. And if you’re focused on one particular aspect of the construction process, Procore may have more tools and features than you need.  Still, Procore is a standout product in the construction project management market due to its popularity based on number of reviews, and relative comprehensiveness.

“We have recently begun implementing Procore as the company’s standard project management software. It is allowing us to standardize our company processes and streamline our construction processes. This has been beneficial as it unifies the company through one standard process which helps us progress towards our goal of being able to move anywhere within the company and know how things are being done.”

Christian M. | Project Engineer | Oakland Construction (501-1000 employees)

Bluebeam Revu 

Bluebeam Revu is a suite of construction software tools that take a project-first approach. Bluebeam offers specialized features based on prospective users’ specific role in a construction company—including owners, superintendents, estimators, contractors, engineers, and architects.

Given its project management focus, Bluebeam may not be best suited for organizations looking to manage their entire construction business all in one tool. For example, Bluebeam doesn’t support enterprise planning features, or human capital management like some construction software. However, this type of focus is great for those that are looking for the perfect project management tool designed specifically for the construction industry. Bluebeam shines when it comes to markups and document management, but may not suit the needs of users who require a lot of customization with their project management tool. 

Pricing for Bluebeam is per user, at $349 a seat. This is not a subscription price, so you only pay once and get to use Bluebeam indefinitely. Their free trial is a good way to assess your specific user needs before investing fully.

“Currently, we use Bluebeam as a management staff—all project managers, estimators and safety managers. It is particularly implemented in our estimating department to use for takeoffs and minor drafting. PM’s use it to complete markups and sketch details. Safety uses it as a powerful PDF editor and form builder. Accounting uses it for electronic signatures and stamp approvals on invoices. Bluebeam solves a lot of needs in many departments, mainly as a drawing and PDF editor tool.”

Matthew S. | Safety and Project Manager | Century Exteriors, Inc. (11-50 employees)

PlanGrid 

PlanGrid is construction software that encompasses a suite of tools built for project management, evaluation, reporting, and team management. PlanGrid is one of the more comprehensive construction management tools available and takes care of essential features like document management (including submittals, workflows, etc.), markups, and field reports.

PlanGrid is designed to integrate with Revit and fully supports BIM data, which makes this tool stand out. This software was also designed with the concept of “lean construction” in mind, which can help construction companies interested in increasing productivity and decreasing waste and operating costs. 

PlanGrid’s pricing model entails either annual or monthly billing, starting at $39 a month for 550 sheets.  Each plan includes unlimited projects, photos, and documents.

“PlanGrid is an excellent option for medium to large general contracting companies in general building construction. PlanGrid provides a single-source solution for all things document-related that previously were spread between multiple software packages or juggled in a hybrid email/fire management system that was easy to lose track of documents.”

Verified User | Project Manager in Engineering | Construction Company (201-500 employees)

Alternatives to Construction PM Software 

If you’re not quite ready to invest financially in a project management tool, there are some choices available to you for free while you evaluate your paid options. A popular alternative to the above construction project management tools is Fieldwire. Its focus is on field management, but is popular amongst smaller construction firms.

Smartsheet is a popular project management tool that integrates with many construction management software. So if you find, for example, that you’re enjoying a construction software’s estimating capabilities, but not its project management features so much, you may want to simply look towards integrating a PM-focused tool to meet your demands.

Other popular project management software in the construction sector that aren’t necessarily construction-specific are Asana, Wrike, and the new Monday.com. With free tiers available for these products, you have a lot of flexibility to test them out and take advantage of project management features you may not have thought of before. Check out reviews from buyers in the construction industry to see how these products shape up among your peers.