There is more to managing architectural projects than meets the eye. Architects are not mere designers; they are project managers who have to deal with complex designs, strict deadlines, and endless waves of communication.
But what if there were a software that could organize every project detail, streamline communication, and keep all your team members in sync, whether they are in an office or working remotely?
But how does one select the right software for architectural projects?
In this blog, we will guide you on the best project management software for architects in 2024, plus everything you need to know to make the best decision for your project.
Here’s a quick overview of each software, which will be further discussed in detail:
Scoro- Best for comprehensive project visibility and financial management
Miro software - Best for visual collaboration and brainstorming in real-time
Zoho Projects- Best for managing project timelines and budgets with ease
Contractor Foreman- Best for streamlining construction-specific project management tasks
Basecamp software- Best for simple, team-wide collaboration and internal communication
Mosaic software - Best for resource management and AI-powered project planning
The Role Of Project Management Software In Architectural Projects
In architecture, project management is the foundation of complex projects that must be kept on schedule and within budget constraints.
Let’s break down its key roles:
Project Planning: Architects work with multiple timelines and overlapping stages of a project. Planning is made easier through project management software because it divides work into tasks, sets deadlines, and assigns resources. Gantt charts and time views help compare the overall progress of the work in a project at a glance, from the design phase to the construction phase
Document Management: Architectural drawings, contracts with the clients, and permits are difficult to manage, and can lead to disorganization. Project management software helps manage extensive documentation at a centralized location, including blueprints, specifications, and revisions. All this information is easily accessible to all the team members
Resource Management: Three factors - labor, materials, and budgets - are vital to the success of the project. Project managementsoftware allows the real-time management and distribution of resources. It will help monitor expenses for a project, assign tasks to people depending on the workload, and control the use of materials to prevent incidences of additional costs, such as delays
Project Tracking: There are many activities taking place simultaneously in an architectural project, therefore, it is crucial to keep track of progress. The use of project management software enables architects to monitor projects in real-time and ensure that every phase is on track. Visibility at this level minimizes bottlenecks and eliminates the issue of creeping scope
Cloud-Based Accessibility: Cloud-based project management software provides architects and their collaborators with project information, irrespective of the location of the architect, team members, or even the project site. As such, this flexibility allows decisions to be made very quickly, even if the team members are scattered around the world
7 Project Management Software Architects
Let’s get to the fun part now. Here is the list of the top 7 best project management software for architects:
1. Scoro - Best For Comprehensive Project Visibility
Scoro is a comprehensive work software designed especially for professional service companies. It excels in providing project-wide visibility, enabling architects to manage project timelines and budgets for specific tasks. The built-in financial tools enable architects to monitor budgets, costs, and future estimates, alongside client interactions.
Furthermore, being a project management software, Scoro offers a time-tracking feature, which is vital to architects as it helps to track billable hours, and efficiently allocate time across multiple projects.
Key Features
Dashboards
Detailed work reports
Task list and task board
Gantt chart and dependencies
Task list and task board
Best Use Case
Makes it easy to schedule project tasks, track project progress, monitor costs, collaborate with clients, analyze project margins, and ensure project transparency.
With Scoro software, architects can enhance collaboration within their teams and make informed decisions based on real-time data, ultimately leading to more efficient project execution and increased client satisfaction.
Pricing
Scoro offers four pricing plans:
Essential - $28/user/month
Standard - $42/user/month
Pro - $71/user/month
Ultimate - Custom pricing plan
2. Miro - Best For Visual Collaboration
Miro is a collaborative online workspace that enables teams to brainstorm, plan, and execute projects within a single visual software. As a project management software for architects, Miro combines visual and collaborative features tailored to the complex needs of architectural projects. Its infinite canvas allows architects to create comprehensive project plans that include detailed drawings, blueprints, and site layouts all in one place.
With an extensive library of templates for project timelines, Gantt charts, and workflow diagrams, Miro supports architects through every phase of their projects, from initial concept to final execution.
Key Features
Custom templates
Intelligent canvas
Private boards
Integrations
Brand center
Best Use Case
Miro software streamlines the ideation and planning phases. It allows architects to visualize their concepts and gather input from team members in real-time. By utilizing collaborative features, architects can foster creativity and ensure alignment among stakeholders.
The software also helps in organizing project components, leading to clearer communication and a more efficient workflow. Ultimately, Miro supports architects in delivering innovative designs, while enhancing team collaboration.
Pricing
Miro offers four pricing plans:
Free - $0
Starter - $10/user/month
Business - $20/user/month
Enterprise - Custom pricing plan
3. Zoho Projects - Best For Managing Project Timelines
Zoho is a cloud-based project management software designed to help teams organize, track, and collaborate on projects. Zoho Projects has features that can help solve most of the common problems that architects face during the design and construction phases, for instance, planning for delays, managing budgets and creating a centralized project document database.
By offering features like task management, milestone setting, Gantt charts, and issue tracking, Zoho Projects assists architects in organizing complex projects from the moment of their conception to their completion.
Key Features
Task management
Time tracking
Charts and reports
Gantt charts
Issue tracking
Best Use Case
Zoho Projects software can be very beneficial for architects as it is a project management software that helps with effective planning, easy communication, and reduced delays. Gantt charts and the budgeting tool allow architects to track time and costs, while document management consolidates all project documents in one place.
Zoho Projects also helps improve collaboration by bridging the communication breakdown between architects, contractors, and the clients to enable efficient project delivery.
Pricing
Zoho offers four pricing plans:
Free - $0
Premium - $5/user/month
Enterprise - $10/user/month
4. Contractor Foreman - Best For Streamlining Project Management Tasks
Contractor Foreman is a cloud-based project management software designed for contractors and architects to effectively manage construction projects. It covers essential functions, such as scheduling, budgeting, invoicing, and team collaboration.
For architects, scheduling tools are particularly useful. They allow them to create detailed timelines with start and end dates, task dependencies, and the ability to adjust for delays or unplanned events.
Key Features
Scheduling tools
Real-time cost database
Bid management
Daily logs
Document writer
Best Use Case
Contractor Foreman software scheduling and estimation features allow architects to manage both time, and budget effectively. The software has a centralized document storage that simplifies access to critical project files like blueprints and contacts, enhancing collaboration.
With integrations to key software, such as QuickBooks and Outlook365, Contractor Foreman helps architects streamline their workflow and keep all project details in sync.
Pricing
Contractor Foreman offers five pricing plans, billed annually:
Basic - $49/month
Standard - $79/month
Plus - $125/month
Pro - $166/month
Unlimited - $249/month
5. Monograph - Best For Time Tracking
Monograph is project management software built by architects for architects. Every feature is designed with the needs of architectural firms in mind. It simplifies the business side of architecture by removing unnecessary complexities so architects can focus on designing and managing projects, resources, and finances.
Monograph’s design revolves around time as the metric, automatically turning tracked hours into insights on profitability, project progress, staffing, and billing.
Key Features
Invoices
Time tracking
Project planner
Project management
Resource Management
Best Use Case
Monograph software lets architects streamline project management and financial tracking. Architects can forecast staffing, track design progress, and manage budgets, all in one software.
By turning timesheets into insights, Monograph ensures architects can see profitability, while focusing on their creative work.
Pricing
Contractor Foreman offers five pricing plans, billed annually:
Monograph’s starting price is $30 - $375/month (price varies with the increase in users).
6. Basecamp - Best for Team-Wide Collaboration
Basecamp is a project management and communications software for teams that need a simple, all-in-one platform. It comes with features like project boards, task management, and document storage that can be useful for architecture firms to improve team communication and project organization.
Architects can use Basecamp to manage tasks, schedules, and share critical project documents, keep internal teams, and clients in sync.
Key Features
Real-time communication
Easy Scheduling
Communication tools
Report insights
Hill Charts
Best Use Case
Basecamp software helps architects centralize communication and task management. It helps stay organized across multiple projects. Hill charts give architects a visual representation of project progress, so they can see incoming issues.
Sharing documents and plans through the software makes collaboration with internal teams and external clients easier.
Pricing
Basecamp offers two pricing plans:
Basecamp - $15/user/month
Basecamp Pro Unlimited - $349/user/month
7. Mosaic - Best For AI-Powered Project Planning
Mosaic is a project and resource management software for architecture. The software is also compatible with enterprise resource planning (ERP) or financial software, providing a unified platform for managing workloads, project timelines, and resource allocation.
Mosaic’s AI interface enables architects to manage team workloads, assemble project teams efficiently, and optimize overall performance of the firm.
Key Features
Budget management
Resource management
Reports and dashboards
Account administration
Project planning
Best Use Case
Mosaic’s AI-powered insights let architects work with their teams to schedule and complete projects on time without overworking employees. The software assists the firm to discover valuable clients and opportunities that enable the firm to achieve strategic directions that enhance the overall performance of the firm.
By forecasting workload and staffing needs, Mosaic software empowers an architectural firm to make informed hiring, and project allocation decisions. This helps with resource optimization and boosts productivity.
Pricing
Mosaic offers three pricing plans:
Starter – custom pricing
Professional - custom pricing
Enterprise - custom pricing
What Project Management Software Is Best For Your Architectural Firm?
When choosing a project management software for your architectural firm, you should evaluate the needs of your team, the scale of your projects, and the level of cross-departmental management your firm requires. Each software we reviewed has different features that cater to varying aspects of architectural project management.
For real-time collaboration and visualization, Miro, and Basecamp stand out. If you’re looking for software with in-depth budgeting, time-tracking, and profitability features, Monograph and Scoro are great options for architects.
For larger firms or complex multi-phase projects, Mosaic excels at resource management, and workload balancing. Contractor Foreman is great for architects working closely with construction teams with robust budgeting, scheduling, and document management features.
Ultimately, the best software for your firm will align with how you manage projects, interact with clients, and prioritize resources. Whether you need powerful insights, team collaboration, or project planning, selecting the right software can streamline your operations, and improve project delivery.
Please visit our project management resources center section for further assistance.
