Scheduling is a component in construction projects that is influenced by numerous factors, and small issues may present serious consequences to the project’s schedule, cost, and resource allocation system.
Contractors experience technical challenges daily in managing multiple interrelated timelines and monitoring progress in real-time while juggling interrelated work phases and coordinating multiple teams.
Manual methods are often insufficient due to a lack of dependency analysis, resource smoothing, or synchronization with today’s sophisticated BIM/ERP.
That is when construction scheduling software comes into play to cover the gap.
The capabilities of equipped tools range from performing basics, such as critical path analysis automation, to satisfying essential technical needs in data visualization and cloud-based collaboration, multi-project dependencies management, resource allocation optimization, and field data integration with the main project plans.
In this guide, we will discuss the top 10 software options for contractor businesses that want to minimize risks, increase productivity, and manage project schedules and costs.
Construction scheduling software is a dedicated tool for the layout and management of the construction project’s time and resources.
These enable contractors, project managers, and a project team to plan out the tasks, schedule and execute tasks systematically and completely.
In ways such as scheduling tasks, dependencies, and resources it helps to prevent delays and make sure that projects are advancing in the right manner.
This software includes fundamental features such as a timeline, mostly in the form of a Gantt chart that helps in tracking the progress as well as finding out the critical path- the series of activities that have a straight bearing on the completion of the project.
You’re currently just organizing and communicating throughout the day in terms of job assignments and schedules either via text messages, calls, and handwritten notes, but the method proves to be mediocre but disorganized.
To simplify the process for the field operations manager and gain better visibility into daily jobs and crew workloads, you’re looking for a straightforward software solution that can:
It is aimed at reducing complexity, enhancing order, and increasing a level of control for yourself as the manager as well for your subordinates.
Construction scheduling software enables users to determine the scheduling of activities accompanied by specific start and completion dates on each of them.
It can combine the task dependencies that include finish-to-start, start-to-start, or any other relationship and aligns the work-flows in a sound and non conflicting manner.
There are special tools, such as Gantt charts or other tools that visually represent a timeline of a project.
These tools assist in tracking of the numerous schedules and times that tasks take, and as a result one can easily note instances when activities overlap or time is prolonged.
Color-coded progress bars and drag and drop capability make pre-set changes easy to make and give an instant snapshot of the project as it stands.
The software also provides for resource management tools that facilitate efficient use of labor, equipment, and material.
It is possible to choose specific resources for a particular task and track their availability, so that resource overbooking or their inefficient utilization is excluded.
This software shows the critical path that is the longest chain of activities where each activity starts when the previous one is complete, and determines the overall time required for the project.
It assists project managers to identify the gaps which, if filled, could compromise the completion date.
Ad hoc access and sharing capabilities allow the user to create project status updates and work in possession of current project information regardless of location.
An added advantage is that progress can be made on-site, in the office or even at home; work is visible to all users and can be modified in real time.
Construction scheduling software has close compatibility with other related applications such as accounting application, Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP).
Best For: Calendar Scheduling within the Work Order Management System
Clue is the best construction management software on the market right now and offers unbeatable solutions when it comes to building project optimisation and streamlining.
With its innovative features and intuitive design, it effectively improves project management and is a critical tool for construction teams today.
Clue provides remarkable value as the #1 construction scheduling tool by solving practical implementation concerns with meaning and accuracy in construction resources and assets.
Its dispatch management function allows one to effectively plan and allocate various equipment and tools to required sites at required time.
This efficiency eliminates idle time, saves time and makes work output effective.
Clue excels in situations where a vast construction project involves intricate scheduling of other massive and closely related machinery such as cranes and loaders into a tight schedule for the project.
The tool is equally helpful in cases when changes occur in the field: additional instructions or an unpredictable situation arises.
Through automating the investment and optimizing the asset management and the availability of resources, Clue helps the construction teams to perform project related activities well and further makes them conducive for better project performance and cost effectiveness.
Comprehensive Monitoring:
“If you're in search of an effective solution for monitoring equipment, managing real-time data and locations, handling audit and inspection forms, managing work orders, and Utilization, I would highly suggest considering Clue as a viable choice.”
Jeremy S., Construction
“It is very user-friendly and my field guys can easily navigate through app.”
Alfonso H., Project Manager
“Its a great asset to have, we can check our equipment at any time and from anywhere, lets know of fuel consumption and if there is an issue.”
Charles M., General Superintendent
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Best For: Real-time Gantt Charts
Procore is found to be the 2nd best construction management software that can be used by both general and specialty contractors, public agencies, business owners, and civil, and infrastructure contractors.
It has a real-time scheduling capability that dovetails with other tools within the software architecture of Procore for synchronization of project processes.
This integration facilitates the overall processes of construction project implementation because it links scheduling to other project functions.
For example, one can integrate the project’s tasks with Daily Logs more comprehensively by linking them.
Other features of scheduling are that you can create schedule look-aheads, which are shareable with other trade partners in real time.
Another way that field workers can help is to convert additional information that needs to be gathered to subtasks of otherwise scheduled tasks, to improve on communication and task description in the field.
“It has extensive project management skills for building. The platform centralizes communication, document management, and scheduling, making it simple to work across teams. Procore's ability to manage RFIs, submittals, and change orders all in one location has increased the efficiency of our workflows.”
Saravana Kumar S., Project Engineer
“Ability to easily copy/paste sentences/paragraphs into text boxes in Procore. Specifically when entering contract/scope info for Commitements. I'd like the meeting minutes tool to be better formatted with more abilities to hide and/or incorporate notes into the agenda for future meetings. Haven't messed with the Procore scheduling tool too much, but would really like the ability to have a scheduling tool like Hoylu within Procore.”
Luke D., Sr. Project Manager
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Best For: On-site Task Coordination
Fieldwire is also found to be a construction scheduling software that aims at general & specialty contractors, project owners, architects, and designers.
The platform was unique about the “lean construction scheduling,” that the system is flexible and disseminates information real-time to the members.
It gives graphic means to plan projects’ timetables and it helps to coordinate people and different contractors.
Fieldwire has several scheduling features including a Kanban board, Gantt chart and calendar based field scheduling.
It is possible to filter activities by due date, trading group or priority to create an intelligible and flexible schedule.
Further, the software generates fully automated production reports that provide updates to inform the members of the production process.
“Very easy to setup the projects and track the project from pre-construction to final punchlist. We can share information among our team easily and have access to all project documents while in the field. We are able to keep track of progress, materials and scheduling easily. Our field personnel access it every day to make sure they are following the drawings and installation correctly. It was very easy to implement in our every day use.”
Shannen H., Small-Business
“Generating the reports does not give all the info. When you create a task and it puts it into 2 letters as a heading and when you open it it does not say the project or the task, does get confusing when you are doing a bunch of tasks in one project.”
Anthony G., Manager of Prefabrication & Warehouse Operations
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Best For: Custom Home Scheduling
CoConstruct is also reviewed as a construction scheduling tool but it is developed for home builders and remodelers in order to increase the project's performance.
This feature allows users to change the default templates, easily dragging and dropping the tasks to create a project timeline, as well as receiving real-time notifications.
From the current study, team members and subcontractors get notified on time via their email or text, thus minimizing the need and time required to organize before tasks are commenced.
The platform’s mobility enables a user to fairly make changes on the move, meaning that project can continue as planned in case of a change of events.
CoConstruct has the ability to allow clients to view the schedule in detail, thus reducing on common queries on status.
In a nutshell, CoConstruct’s scheduling solutions are meant to cut down on confusion and then reduce the number of missed due dates, all while offering as much predictability as possible on a construction site.
“There's a lot of useful items this software delivers. My favorite is the scheduling. It allows me to keep track of items coming up.”
Verified User in Construction., Small-Business
“It is a bit expensive than its competition softwares, but it comes with project/task management, sales, accounting, collaboration, and CRM features in the very same package, therefore making it worth the money.”
Verified User in Computer Software., Mid-Market
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Best For: Residential Project Timelines
Buildertrend is an all-encompassing construction management software designed specifically for homebuilders, remodelers and general and specialty contractors.
Its scheduling software features templates that are created to optimize recurrent operations and organize recurrent jobs.
It is possible for a user to sort the tasks by groups and use different colours to help with its outlook.
Also, it traces dependencies, which help to set a given item so that it cannot start until some tasks have been done, making the content organized and scheduled rightly.
In addition to the collaboration, Buildertrend also synchronises project timelines with to-do lists, change orders, RFIs and other documents required for a problem-free project management.
“Proposals and Estimates are separate modules. You can import proposals to esimates, but not if you want to template any of your allowances or selections. Basically, no matter what you do, you're stuck doing a bunch of manual entry every time you set up a new job. Also lots of duplicate entry with allowances and selections.”
Verified User in Construction., Small-Business
“The constant updates. The selections tab, we are a custom home builder and do not have standard selections for every job so we cannot just auto populate. Also it doesnt print well at all. Edit in excel / word sometime fails and you loose EVRYTHING!”
Lizzy F., Small-Business
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Best For: Small Business Scheduling
Jobber is an efficient and easy to use job scheduling software which has been developed for general contractors, including those that operate in the construction industry.
They facilitate efficient construction business management through explaining the best ways for project owners to schedule crew members, in addition to ensuring good relations with customers.
Time and material spent on every task is recorded to keep estimated details as up-to-date as possible.
This way the contractors can map and route the jobs in the best convenient manner and can also track the status real time in Jobber.
The software includes a client portal where customers can request projects and view job descriptions and updates on the progress of their work.
Jobber connects to many business tools to manage construction companies, such as QuickBooks, Stripe, Zapier, MailChimp, CompanyCam, and Google Local Services and many others.
“The simple, straight forward nature of every feature and function. The startup phase was very easy, and connecting it with our accountant for integration with Quickbooks seemed to be simple enough. Their customer support did a good job of reaching out early on, boardering on pestering which is exactly what we needed as we were busy working in out in the field. We're 2 years in, use Jobber every day, and its been a great benefit to our company.”
Keith B., General Manager
“Like all softwares, it's never going to have absolutely everything you need. Some of the key issues missing for us are scheduling issues with not being able to see if multiple people are assigned to a job. We have a lot of double-booking issues because of this. The other feature I'd like to see is being able to add more photos to jobs, streamlining clocking in to include drive time, breaks, lunch, etc and being able to send photos to clients in the two-way texting.”
Stephanie D., CEO Owner
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Best For: BIM-integrated Scheduling
iFieldSmart is also considered as a construction scheduling software that is developed to help project managers manage construction projects in an easy manner.
It's easy to use interface enables project managers, supervisors and team members to browse and work together.
Through this appropriated resource used by the platform, tasks are allocated to the right head and equipment.
It also controls task dependencies to optimize project flow so that bottlenecks are eliminated and automatically adjusts schedules when changes occur.
Project milestones are informed quickly with real time progress tracking, giving users an idea of probable problems and taking corrective action early.
With comprehensive reporting and analytics, project performance, resource utilization and overall productivity are reported.
Mobile compatibility also provides access to project schedules via mobile allowing users to stay connected and in control, no matter where they are.
“The financial section in the software is the best thing here. Document Control is fantastic.”
Jordan M., Senior Project Coordinator
“They need to work on the efficiency of the software”
Jordan M., Senior Project Coordinator
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Best For: Infrastructure Scheduling
InEight Schedule brings powerful and intuitive project planning and execution to construction teams for all types and sizes of capital projects.
It leverages advanced scheduling methodologies and real time collaboration tools to assure that field operations are in full alignment with master schedules.
The result is greater transparency, better efficiency, and the opportunity to respond pragmatically to change.
InEight Schedule was designed for experts and non-specialists alike to simplify complex processes, minimize delays, and achieve more predictable and more successful project outcomes.
“The product is great with a lot of helpful features. The UI is also simple and easy to learn. The dashboard gives a comprehensive summary of ongoing projects and makes it easy to track the project progress of all active projects. InEight has been a part of our process for quite some time now and the frequency of use is daily. The customer support is also helpful and we had quick responses from the CRM team who were able to resolve it in time.”
Verified User in Construction., Mid-Market
“Sometimes the layout could be a bit boring, a better more efficient layout design would be nice to have. Sometimes the server gets overloaded and slows down. Updates are great. But other than that, it is going great. Cost is a bit high but not many programs are as capable. The videos are helpful but they aren't consistent as far as the style of teaching and the quality of the video.”
Verified User in Oil & Energy., Mid-Market
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Best For: Complex Project Scheduling
Primavera P6 is a premier project management software built for the needs of large scale construction and infrastructure project complexities.
It is a good point in critical path scheduling as it helps project managers in planning and monitoring tasks and dependency with precision.
Resource leveling helps provide optimal utilization of individuals, equipment and material to avoid over use or bottlenecks.
Fitted with the advanced reporting features, its in-depth analytics and visual insights make it easy for teams to identify risks and take confident decisions.
Engineering and construction firms rely heavily on Primavera P6 because it’s best suited for projects with complex timetables.
With its integration into Oracle's ecosystem, the financial and supply chain tools, it becomes a complete project control solution.
“I have been using and implementing Primavera for the last 10 Years. So I can say this is best tool to manage and update schedules. User interface is so easy to use so anyone can learn within 2-3 days. It provides more functionality than scheduling like Earn value management, Resource Management, Role Management. We have been integrated Primavera with Unifier and SAP ERP, it provide me with a complete end to end picture of Project.”
Oliver S., Implementation consultant
“Like other comprehensive and powerful tools, there is a learning curve to using the application, which requires training to master. It is hard to fault P6 for the features it provides, and I am sure further iterations of the program will improve on an already great product.”
Philippe K., Consultant
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Best For: Gantt Charts and Resource Planning
Microsoft Project isn’t just suited for construction, it’s also widely used in other industries.
Being an intuitive tool to visualize timelines, task dependencies to uphold logical workflow, and resource management tools to control and track labor and equipment use, it is a great option.
As its deep integration with the Microsoft 365 suite of tools including Excel for data analysis, Teams for communication, and SharePoint document management makes it an obvious choice for organizations with these tools already in place.
If your team needs a mix of simple and useful, plus the ability to scale up with enterprise features, then Microsoft Project is great for you.
It’s reliable and flexible scheduling whether you’re managing small renovations or large developments.
“The application is very user interactive. Built-in templates, familiar scheduling tools, and access across devices increase productivity for project managers and teams.You can conveniently handle all of your online tasks in one place. You can edit and add notes / assignments / alterations for your team to access. The biggest plus is the allocation and engagement of resources. This is certainly more suited for larger companies/corporations.”
Verified User in Accounting., Small-Business
“This software is best for small businesses but sometime it cannot provide the best service of the costumer. Portfolio management features are very difficult and everyone can't easily understand these features. This software is very expensive so most of the people use another software because it's price is so high so everyone cannot afford this software. All of its features and functions are very outstanding so most of the people can use this software.”
Matt B., Senior Linux Customer Support Engineer
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Clue is the best management software on the market, offering top-tier solutions to streamline project execution and optimize resource management.
Its robust and user-friendly features make it an essential tool for any construction team aiming to achieve operational excellence.
When it comes to construction scheduling, Clue is a top choice since it focuses on smart resource management and real time scheduling.
The features from Dispatch Management and Equipment Utilization Tracking keep the resources properly allocated, which guarantees no idle time and less project delays.
Clue offers work order management and real time updates, bridging the gap between field and office teams to ensure synchronization and adjustability to unexpected changes.
Clue is the definitive solution for contractors looking to improve schedules, improve productivity and lower costs.