Primavera P6 or MS Project?

Primavera P6 or MS Project?

Knowing which software to choose for a specific construction scheduling exercise or a specific type of project, can significantly improve the efficiency of the construction scheduling process and produce a higher quality construction CPM schedule that suits the needs of the project.

Based on over 30 years of scheduling experience, I would absolutely recommend Primavera™ P6 applications for the vast majority of construction schedules; although, MS Project™ can still be a useful tool in the correct application.

Microsoft Project is easy to learn and quick to produce a schedule. However good planning techniques are still required to produce a useful and meaningful schedule. Always remember – scheduling software makes a scheduler’s job easier – it doesn’t replace good planning practices.

The following comparison is based on experience only; software is constantly changing and the comparison was based on the features available at the time of writing. Primavera™ P6 applications have long been the construction scheduling tool of choice for construction scheduling consultants and construction schedulers throughout the industry. Primavera™ offers many advantages that other applications cannot match such as a centralized database that multiple users can access at any given time. Different levels of authority can be assigned to different users for security and organizational purposes. Furthermore, Primavera™ allows multiple project-level construction schedules to be open simultaneously for program-level analysis.

Perhaps the most significant advantage of Primavera™ is the sheer magnitude of the processing capability that can compute complex construction CPM schedules that contains thousands of activities and relationships. Personally – a detailed Master Schedule containing 40,000 activities and over 100,000 relationships was easily managed with high performing Laptops.

Many large-scale projects (Construction, Energy, and Aerospace) could not be effectively scheduled on any other software platform. Customer support was poor, but has significantly improved since the purchase of Primavera™ by Oracle.

Yet, P6 users still cannot insert a page break!

MS Project™ can be a useful tool for scheduling novices or non-schedulers that are looking for simple schedules or bar charts with a limited number of activities. MS Project is easy to learn and quick to produce ‘pictures’ of bars with or without the correct relationships/logic.

Both MS Project™ and Primavera can communicate to other Microsoft applications such as Excel. Primavera™ utilizes an Import / Export function to communicate to Excel or directly to Power BI for much better visual presentation.

When tracking construction progress and Delays that occur during the Construction project, it can be very useful to display multiple Baseline Schedules or other previous Schedule Updates. Primavera P6 allows the scheduler to assign and display multiple (10) Baselines to the schedule; this is a useful analysis tool.

Activity relationships (logic) is much easier in P6 because you can either accomplish this task in the Gant view with a click and drag feature or in the Relationships tab where you can view both Predecessors and Successors simultaneously and adjust as needed.

MS Project does not let the user assign logic directly to the Gant chart. Also MS Project does not allow the user to a SS (Start-Start) relationship and FF (Finish-Finish) relationship to the same activity.

Cost is sometimes a factor when choosing software for construction scheduling services. Depending on which options are chosen, a license of Primavera™ can cost over $2,500. MS Project™ is considerably less at around $800.

Following these simple guidelines listed above can assist you in deciding which scheduling tool is best suited for your project. Whether you are performing construction schedule services, construction schedule oversight, construction schedule analysis, or other construction schedule application, choosing the right construction scheduling tool for the project or application is critical to the success of the project.

MS Project – the good

1. Quick to generate reports

2. Excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office products.

2. User-Friendly Inter-Face, particular if you a familiar with Microsoft Office menus and toolbars. Usually less training is required to operate the software.

3. High performing PC/Laptop not required

MS Project – not so good

1. Does not allow for multiple user access & MS Project does not have a centralized database, making access limited.

2. Limited security options and does not allow you to assign different levels of authority to different users.

3. Inability to track Project Issues and Risks

4. Limited Web Functionality and Support There is no way to convert information directly to HTML. With an increasing reliance on web-based information, this may limit future possibilities.

5. Restrictions in Multiple Aspects of the Software’s Design A number of restrictions exist in MS Project that allow for less versatility and the efficient and accurate communication or recording of information difficult.

Primavera P6 – the good

1. Multiple user access - A centralized database gives multiple user access at any given time.

2. Greater Security Options - Different levels of authority can be assigned to different users in Primavera for security and organizational purposes.

3.  Unlimited Baselines

4. Tracking of Project Issues and Risks

5. Multiple Schedules Primavera allows multiple project-level construction schedules to be open simultaneously for program-level analysis.

6. Better Web Support Plans, documents and other information can be converted to HTML directly from the software. Additionally, it can create a comprehensive website comprising of complete project details including activities, resources, reports, risks, issues, WBS, and everything that has been entered.

7. Simultaneous Updates Resources can be assigned individual work calendars, allowing for simultaneous updates to be made to all construction schedules that utilize that specified resource.

8. Multiple Activity Relationships More than one type of relationship can be established between activities.

9. More Column Creation Over 200 columns in-built, each giving you different information.

10. Greater Flexibility with Multiple Project Creation. Primavera allows for multiple project tracking, multiple project or WBS comparisons, and cost and units calculations.

11. Ability to Add Project Expenses Besides costs, in project expenses such as training, travel, etc. can be added.

Primavera P6 – not so good

1. A greater degree of training may be necessary. It makes sense that some training might be necessary to become familiarized with the larger array of options available in Primavera.

2. Communication with Microsoft Programs not as seamless as MS Project While Primavera does have the ability to communicate with the Microsoft suite of programs, it is perhaps not as seamless in the import/export process.

3. Can be difficult to setup the software, more so on a server. Database experience is required and suitable IT support maybe required for temperamental login/database issues.

Deciding on the Right Software for Your Company

If you are after something more immediate, that requires less training to get up and running, or maybe something that you can implement quickly and will communicate most seamlessly with Microsoft programs, Microsoft Project can be a good option. Conversely, if it is a forward-thinking system that will allow you to do more that’s what you’re looking for, Primavera is, by far, the better option. Primavera gives you more versatility, security, control and will see future gains in its progressive nature.

Placing them side-by-side, it is easy to see why Primavera is fast becoming a championed system in the project management arena, as the benefits of Primavera far outweigh those of Microsoft Project and other software like it. While Primavera was specifically designed for enterprise, Microsoft Project had its origins as a desktop application that then migrated to enterprise capability with Project Server.

Microsoft Project vs Primavera P6 Comparison

No.	Feature (Function)	MS Project	Primavera P6
1	Database	Works with file format in stand-alone mode or with SQL database in EPM mode.	Works with multiple types of databases.
2	Multiple User Access	Allows multiple users to work on an online database (using Microsoft Project Server).	Allows multiple users to work on a single project at the same time.
4	Activity Steps	Not available.	Helps users to steps break down a complex activity into smaller parts, while maintaining the simplicity of a Gantt Chart.
5	Expenses	Allows you to have a complete overview of the project budget and costs during project execution.	Allows planned, remaining, and actual project expenses to be entered at the activity level.
6	Custom Fields	Formulas for custom fields are possible and add additional values to them.	Formulas cannot be set to custom fields.
7	Columns	In Microsoft Project, there are around 500 default fields for tasks and resources.	It comes installed with over 200 columns each giving you different information. Column categories include EVM, Budgeting, costs, etc.
9	Multiple activity relationships	Only one relationship can be made between activities.	Same activities can have multiple relationships.
10	WBS	WBS levels and activities are all the same, you can even link an activity to a WBS level.	WBS is created separately from the activities with its own codes for each level.
11	Reports	Creating graphical reports can be customized to any form you want to.	Users can create sheet-like reports with default forms that can be customized. The look of the reports is only in tabular form without having graphical charts and dashboards.
12	Assigning Relationships	Allows the user to assign logic directly to the Gantt chart or in predecessors/successors columns.	Either create relationships in the Gantt view with a click and drag feature or with Predecessor/Successors tabs.
13	Tracking and Comparing	Multiple projects can be created and viewed.	Multiple projects creation, Multiple project tracking, multiple projects or WBS comparisons, cost and unit calculations are possible.
13	Baselines Assignments	Multiple baselines can be created on project or task level and viewed in a specially created view called Multiple Baseline Gantt. Costs and unit calculations are possible.	Multiple projects creation, Multiple project tracking, multiple projects or WBS comparisons, cost and unit calculations are possible.
14	Import/Export Function	Communicate project data with other applications. Supports different file formats for importing and exporting.	Communicate project data with other applications. Supports different file formats for importing and exporting.