Making the move from Microsoft Project to Asta Powerproject? It’s the best decision for business

Project scheduling is the cornerstone of any successful construction project. The right software can make the difference between finishing on time (and on budget) or battling endless delays and confusion.  

For project managers in the UK construction sector, Microsoft Project (MSP) commonly comes up. MSP is used in a number of industries as well as construction. If you’ve been looking for a more construction-specific tool that is built specifically for your needs, Asta Powerproject is a sensible – and sizable – step up. 

Let’s explore how these two tools stack up, where their strengths and weaknesses lie, and why more UK contractors are choosing Powerproject to keep their builds on track. 

Who uses Microsoft Project?

Microsoft Project remains widely used in UK construction, especially among: 

• Main contractors (generally smaller firms running several projects and trades) 
• Civil engineering and infrastructure companies 
• Residential builders managing repeat projects 
• Commercial fitout teams balancing multiple trades and tight timelines 
• Design-and-build firms synchronising design and construction 
• Specialist contractors who need detailed planning within a larger scheme 
• Consultants and client-side project managers tracking delays and valuations 

MSP’s popularity isn’t surprising. Most construction teams have been trained to use it at some point. Large enterprise agreements, especially if you already use Microsoft 365, make MSP like it’s a free tool. Staff are familiar with the interface, and file compatibility (.mpp format) makes it easy to exchange schedules with others. 

Why teams stick with Microsoft Project 

MSP has its strengths, backed up by its continued popularity in the built environment. It’s a default industry standard, and it usually ticks enough boxes to feel as though it will get the job done. Here are the usual reasons it’s chosen: 

• Familiarity: It’s what most staff already know. 
• Bundled with 365: Many firms already pay for it as part of an enterprise Microsoft license. 
• Easy for simple projects: Getting started is straightforward for small or non-complex builds. 
• Minimal IT roadblocks: Already approved and deployed across most companies. 
• Standard file format: .mpp is widely recognised, so files travel easily across project teams. 
• Combines with Excel: Many users create reports or visuals by exporting data into Excel. 
• Perceived as good enough: Why would anyone switch when the basics appear to be covered? 
• Low awareness of alternatives: Many teams don’t realise a better-suited tool exists for construction. 

Where Asta Powerproject can make a difference 

Where Microsoft Project is a one size fits all approach, Asta Powerproject is designed specifically for the construction industry. Here’s what that means in practice: 

Tailored for construction 

• Subcontractor and trade Calendars: Manage the different working patterns of each trade or subcontractor. No more confusion over who’s on-site when. 
• True multi-user file access: Multiple project managers can update the same schedule simultaneously (no waiting for someone else to close the file). 
• Site Progress mobile app: Site teams update progress directly from their phones or tablets, giving management real-time visibility. 
• Resource and cost histograms: See at a glance where resources or costs are peaking without having to build complex Excel charts. 
• Templates for phased builds: Template libraries suit projects that run in stages or phases, from housing estates to multi-building campuses. 
• Advanced critical path analysis: Find out quickly which tasks will delay your finish if they slip, and visualise float for each activity. 
• BIM integration: Link your schedule directly to 3D building models for powerful visual planning. 
• Earned value performance tracking: Instantly compare planned work, actual progress, and value delivered; this is ideal for both cost control and client reporting. 
• Easy planned vs. actual comparison: Visualise if you’re ahead, on, or behind schedule with a few clicks. 
• Delay and compliance tools: Built-in features help with delay analyses and contract compliance, saving money and legal worries. 

Advanced features 

There are some features unique to Asta Powerproject, making it the most powerful planning scheduling tool on the market.  

• Multiple Links per task: Attach several dependencies to a task for realistic planning (MSP allows just one). 
• More than one task per line: Group similar tasks together for cleaner schedules. 
• Code libraries: Reuse task codes (e.g., for trades, areas, work types) across projects. 
• Undo after rescheduling: Mistake after a big reschedule? Instantly undo and try again. 
• Task-level permissions: Keep sensitive tasks private or restrict edits as needed. 
• Overlapping tasks and hammocks: Plan overlapping trades and rolling programmes. 
• Comprehensive risk scoring: Identify risky areas that need attention before they threaten delivery. 
• Unlimited logic links: Stay flexible as schedules grow more complex. 

Feature comparison 

Why Powerproject is the better choice 

Switching to Asta Powerproject isn’t just about a few extra features. Here’s why it makes a real difference for construction teams and their overall business outcomes: 

• Designed for the job: Where MSP is generic, Powerproject has tools built around each step of a construction schedule; you don’t have to deal with workarounds or clunky add-ons. 
• True collaboration: Multiple managers (even across different offices or disciplines) can work together in real time, with field teams adding progress on-site. 
• Cleaner reporting: No more patching together Excel and MSP for resource charts or dashboards; Powerproject provides them natively. 
• UK construction proven: Trusted by top-tier contractors across the UK and Europe, it’s tailored for local processes, contracts, and industry requirements. 
• Avoiding costly delays: Fast, accurate reporting and mobile feedback help you spot issues early, potentially saving many times the cost of software in a single avoided delay. 

But we’ve always done it this way… 

It’s normal to hesitate about changing software. But the speed at which construction management is developing to match the pace of technology means that construction leaders need to be proactive in choosing better tools to deliver on project promises. Here’s how Powerproject addresses the big concerns: 

“We’re trained on MSP”: Powerproject is easy to learn, with full support and simple migration of old files and templates. 

“MSP is part of our Office 365 subscription”: Even if MSP feels free, the potential time savings and better results from Powerproject quickly pay for themselves. 

“We have a library of MSP templates”: These can be brought over to Powerproject. You can import and then enhance or rebuild them using tools custom-made for construction scheduling. 

Stay ahead and stay competitive in fast-moving times 

The construction industry consists of complex, moving parts, something generic software can’t always handle. If you’re serious about hitting deadlines, maximising efficiency, and having total visibility over your build’s progress, Asta Powerproject is the modern, construction-focused upgrade your team needs. 

There’s no better time than now to see the difference that software designed for construction professionals can make. Try running one of your live projects in Powerproject and experience the instant improvements in collaboration, insight, and control. Your future projects, and your bottom line, will thank you.