For non-developers, software licensing can be confusing. We surveyed construction project managers to find out about the benefits and challenges they experience with free, open-source and paid (proprietary) project management software, and some considerations for evaluating licenses for your own company.

1. UserView: Open-Source and Paid
Construction Project Management Software
Lessons from real software users

2. Construction companies are moving away from using pen and paper to manage
projects to using software. We wanted to find out how free and open-source
products compare to proprietary software by asking project managers about how
their software is licensed and challenges they experience.
Key findings include:
• More construction project managers in our sample who use proprietary
software say they are satisfied with their purchase than those who use free or
open-source software: 69 percent compared to 26 percent.
• More proprietary software users than free and open-source users are satisfied
with their product on each of six comparison criteria, but only 10 percent more
are satisfied with its cost.
• Proprietary software users report fewer challenges than free and open-source
users, but the top challenge for both is integrating the project management
software with existing systems.
• Eighty-seven percent of proprietary users and 55 percent of free and open-
source users say they would recommend their current product to others.
Abstract

3. The majority of users are satisfied with their software no matter which license they
use—165 percent more proprietary users are “completely satisfied,” however.
Majority of Proprietary Software Users Completely Satisfied
Free and
Open-Source
Completely satisfied26%
Mostly satisfied71%
Not at all satisfied3%
Proprietary
Completely satisfied69%
Mostly satisfied31%
Not at all satisfied0%

4. Proprietary construction software users are significantly more satisfied with their
products than open-source users, but only 10 percent more satisfied with its cost.
Usability
Cost
Reliability
Interface
Features
Support
0% 25% 50% 75% 100%
81%
98%
87%
85%
55%
91%
31%
43%
45%
48%
50%
52%
Free/open-
source license
Proprietary
license
Proprietary Users Marginally More Satisfied with Software Cost

5. No matter the license type, software users have challenges. For both groups,
integrating construction software with other applications is the top challenge.
Integration
Customization
Customer support
Bugs/errors
Lack functionality
Learning curve
0% 15% 30% 45% 60%
17%
6%
6%
6%
15%
23%
42%
48%
48%
50%
52%
57%
Free/open-
source license
Proprietary
license
Integration Is Top Challenge for All Software Users

6. Most would recommend their existing product to others—58 percent more
proprietary users would recommend it than to open-source users, however.
Most Users Would Recommend Current Product to Others
Free and
Open-Source
Would recommend55%
Would not recommend45%
Proprietary
Would recommend87%
Would not recommend13%

7. The software license that is best for a business depends on its available resources
(e.g., in-house talent and budget) and requirements (e.g., features and support).
Evaluate Priorities to Determine Ideal License Type

8. Read the full report
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