Get a Quick Side-by-Side Comparison
Feature comparison
Not designed for construction, but heavily adopted across the industry
Reporting lacks real-time field data
Procore, Autodesk
"I was skeptical about moving away from P6. But after several months with Outbuild, I’m not looking back. It’s easier to use, drives better collaboration, and keeps our field and office teams aligned without all the back-and-forth. Scheduling is smoother, and everyone’s on the same page."
What matters most to you?
Every project has trade-offs. We compared Outbuild and P6 in the areas that matter most: planning power, field access, and team accountability. The goal is simple—help you choose the right tool for the job.
Connected planning from master to field.
Outbuild provides robust CPM scheduling paired with integrated lookahead planning, giving teams a single, connected source of truth from the master schedule to day-to-day execution. Changes flow automatically, keeping plans aligned without manual rework.
Powerful engine, disconnected workflows.
Primavera P6 offers advanced scheduling controls, baselines, and analytics suited for highly complex projects—but planning is largely disconnected from field workflows. Lookaheads are either absent (P6 Professional) or clunky and browser-based (OPC), often forcing teams into spreadsheets and side tools.
Built for the whole team, not just schedulers.
Designed for construction teams—not just schedulers—Outbuild’s modern interface requires minimal training and is intuitive for PMs, superintendents, and field leaders alike.
Hard to learn. Easy to avoid.
Both P6 Professional and Oracle Primavera Cloud are notoriously complex, with outdated interfaces and steep learning curves. Effective use typically requires specialized training and dedicated scheduling staff.
Field-first, iPad-ready, always up to date.
Outbuild is built for the field, with an iPad-first experience that allows superintendents to update lookaheads, track commitments, and collaborate in real time—directly tied to the CPM schedule.
Limited access. Low field adoption.
P6 Professional is desktop-only, with no meaningful field access. Oracle Primavera Cloud offers a limited mobile experience, but functionality is largely read-only and not designed for real field adoption.
Shared plans. Real accountability.
Outbuild enables real-time collaboration between office and field teams, with shared visibility into commitments, constraints, and progress. Subcontractors are held accountable through structured planning workflows—not disconnected emails or spreadsheets.
Silos, emails, and slow updates.
Collaboration in P6 is limited by file-based workflows, user permissions, and complex interfaces. Field input is minimal, often leading to delayed updates, manual reconciliation, and misalignment between plan and reality.
Connects with Procore, Autodesk, and more.
Outbuild integrates directly with tools like Procore and Autodesk, keeping schedules aligned with the broader project ecosystem. For projects that require P6, Outbuild schedules can be exported in P6-compatible formats to share with owners and stakeholders.
Manual imports. Missed updates.
Primavera P6 relies heavily on manual imports and exports. Integrations are limited, and syncing data across systems often requires additional effort, configuration, or specialized support.
Fast setup. Real help from day one.
Outbuild offers hands-on onboarding and responsive support tailored to how construction teams actually work—helping customers get value quickly without months of training.
Steep learning. Ongoing admin load.
Getting productive in P6 often requires extensive formal training, certifications, and ongoing administrative support. Even with Oracle Primavera Cloud, implementation and configuration can be heavy and time-consuming.
final verdict
Is Outbuild better than Primavera P6?
If you want scheduling software built for how construction teams actually work, Outbuild is the better fit. P6 is powerful but complex, slow to update, and hard to access in the field. Outbuild connects CPM schedules to lookaheads, field input, and real-time updates without the overhead of managing a legacy tool. You get full planning power, field collaboration, and owner-ready exports, all in one platform. No spreadsheets. No workarounds. No drift between plan and execution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose Outbuild over Primavera P6?
Outbuild offers the same CPM scheduling power as P6 but adds connected lookahead planning, iPad access, real-time collaboration, direct integrations, and built-in analytics. It’s designed for the entire project team—not just schedulers—making it easier to plan, adapt, and execute without the complexity of legacy software.
How does Outbuild keep schedules more accurate than Primavera P6?
Outbuild’s connected lookahead updates the master schedule in real time with field progress and roadblocks. This eliminates the need for manual reconciliation or meetings to chase down updates. In P6, schedules are static until manually adjusted, which often leads to outdated information and missed risks.
Is Outbuild compatible with projects that require P6?
Yes. Outbuild supports P6 exports, so you can build and manage your schedule in Outbuild, then share an XER or XML file with owners or stakeholders when needed. You get full collaboration in the field without giving up P6 compliance.
Does Outbuild support complex schedules?
Yes. Outbuild uses CPM logic and supports large, multi-phase schedules. You get full scheduling control plus better visibility, field alignment, and easier updates—without the complexity of legacy tools like P6.
Can my field team use Outbuild on-site?
Yes. Outbuild is built for the jobsite, with full schedule access and the ability to update lookaheads directly from an iPad. P6 is desktop-only. Field teams have no meaningful access and no direct way to push updates, which slows down coordination and creates gaps between plan and execution.
Does Outbuild integrate with other construction tools?
Yes. Outbuild offers two-way integrations with Procore and Autodesk, syncing RFIs, submittals, and schedule updates in real time. This keeps your entire team aligned without extra steps. P6 lacks native integrations. Schedules must be exported and imported manually, which slows down workflows and increases the chance of errors.
How does collaboration compare between Outbuild and Primavera P6?
With Outbuild, PMs, supers, and trades work together in one shared system. Everyone sees the same plan, flags issues, and updates progress in real time. P6 has no built-in collaboration layer. Updates are shared manually, often through exports or emails, which delays communication and leads to misalignment.
What makes Outbuild better for subcontractor accountability?
Outbuild supports Lean and Last Planner workflows, making trade commitments visible, trackable, and tied to the schedule. This helps teams identify constraints early and hold partners accountable. P6 lacks these features, so accountability depends on emails, side tools, or manual follow-up.
Does Outbuild provide analytics and risk tracking?
Yes. Outbuild includes built-in schedule risk tracking and automated analytics to help teams spot delays early and stay on track. P6 does not include performance analytics out of the box, making it harder to monitor trends or identify issues before they escalate.
What support and onboarding can I expect with Outbuild?
You get construction-focused onboarding built around best-practice scheduling workflows. The goal is adoption across office and field, not just setup. Most teams get productive fast because the workflows match how crews actually plan. With P6, onboarding often involves formal training, certifications, and ongoing admin support before teams can get value.
How quickly can we get started with Outbuild?
Most teams are up and running in less than a week, thanks to Outbuild’s fast setup and guided onboarding. Getting started with P6 typically takes longer, requiring desktop installation, custom configuration, and scheduler-specific training.
What our customers are saying.
From billion-dollar companies to smaller family-owned businesses. They all believe that construction deserves a better scheduling and planning tool.
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