Choosing the right construction administration software can significantly impact your project efficiency, team collaboration, and overall success during the construction phase. 

Two prominent platforms in this space are Part3 and Autodesk Build, each offering distinct approaches to managing submittals, drawings, RFIs, change orders, and field documentation. 

This comprehensive comparison will help you determine which platform best aligns with your firm's specific needs and workflows.

Introduction

What is Part3?

Part3 is a construction administration platform purpose-built for architects and engineers. It focuses on simplifying CA workflows through AI-powered automation and intuitive design, covering the full spectrum of construction administration, including drawing management, submittals, RFIs, change orders, and field reports. With SOC 2 certification, Part3 provides enterprise-grade security while maintaining the simplicity architects need. 

Part3 replaces the chaos of email threads, shared drives, and patchwork systems with a centralized platform designed to help architects take back control of the construction administration phase with features that emphasize speed, simplicity, and architect-focused workflows.

What is Autodesk Build?

Autodesk Build is a construction management platform within the Autodesk Construction Cloud ecosystem. Born from the 2021 merger of PlanGrid and BIM 360, Autodesk Build delivers project and field management capabilities for the entire construction team. The platform runs on Autodesk Docs, a common data environment that handles document storage, version control, and permissions. 

Together, Autodesk Build and its underlying Docs foundation offer an  end-to-end solution covering project management, field execution, cost management, quality control, and safety management across all project phases.

Features & functions

Part3 features & functions

Core CA Workflows:

• Drawing & Document Automation: Part3’s ProjectFiles feature provides a centralized hub for project drawings and documents, automatically updating sets when changes occur to ensure everyone works from current information

• Submittal Automation: AI-powered submittal reviews with specification comparisons, automated submittal log creation, and intelligent summaries

• RFI Management: Streamlined request for information tracking and response workflows

• Change Orders: Effortless change document management with automated updates

• Field Reports: Create comprehensive field reports 90% faster with offline capabilities, location pins, and more directly from your phone

• Correspondence: Centralized communication tracking tied directly to documents for a complete project record

• Instructions: Collaborate on instruction documents in-app, then issue seamlessly to the GC without email

• Collaboration Tools: Enables architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and owners to coordinate on documents in one central location, eliminating email dependency

Autodesk Build features

Comprehensive Project Management:

• Drawing & Document Management: Cloud-based storage, version control, and permissions through Autodesk Docs with Desktop Connector for seamless file management

• Submittals: Custom review processes with markup and annotation tools, status tracking

• RFI Management: Complete request management with workflow automation

• Issues & Punch Lists: Centralized issue tracking, resolution, and quality control

• Field Reports: Mobile-first design for on-site work with progress tracking, daily reporting, and AI-powered photo auto-tagging

• Change Orders & Cost Management: Budget tracking, change orders, and contracts management

• Forms, Checklists & Meetings: Customizable quality and safety inspections, digital meeting management, and schedule planning tools

Pros & cons

Part3 pros

✅ Purpose-built for architects and engineers
✅ Intuitive interface with minimal learning curve
✅ Quick setup and implementation
✅ AI-powered drawing and submittal management
✅ Seat-based pricing with available discounts
✅ Data ownership and control with Procore integration
✅ SOC 2 certified for enterprise-grade security and compliance

Part3 cons

❌ A few reviewers note that it’s focused on CA only, which may not suit firms needing full construction management functionality (Source).
❌Some users say field report creation on mobile could be smoother or more flexible (Source).

Autodesk Build pros

✅ Comprehensive project lifecycle management
✅ AI capabilities (Construction IQ, AutoSpecs)
✅ Multiple integrations
✅ Enterprise security
✅ 24/5 customer support

Autodesk Build cons

❌ Users have reported a steep learning curve, particularly for new or smaller teams (Source).
❌ Some users note that pricing can be high for small to mid-sized firms (Source).
❌ Several reviewers mention slow load times with large drawing sets or projects (Source).

Automation and AI capabilities

Part3 AI features

Part3 leverages artificial intelligence to streamline labor-intensive CA tasks:

• ProjectFiles AI: Automatically detects drawing revisions, identifies current IFC sets, and uses AI-powered auto-tagging to assign correct drawing numbers, titles, and disciplines to each sheet

• Submittal Assistant: AI analyzes submittals as soon as they're received, comparing them against project specifications to flag inconsistencies, identify gaps and conflicts, and accelerate review cycles

• ​​AI-Powered Support: Get instant answers to product questions through the in-app AI assistant without waiting in support queues—available 24/7 to help users navigate features and troubleshoot issues

Autodesk Build AI features

Autodesk Build incorporates multiple AI-powered tools under the Autodesk Construction Cloud umbrella:

• Construction IQ: Machine learning-based predictive analytics that scans project data to identify and prioritize risks across design, quality, safety, and project management before they become costly issues

• AutoSpecs & AI Document Intelligence: Automatically generates submittal logs from specifications, breaks down lengthy spec books into searchable sections, and provides conversational AI to help users find information and generate summaries from project documents

• Autotags & Automated Detection: Machine learning automatically adds construction-related tags to project photos and detects/counts matching symbols across drawings for improved organization and takeoff accuracy

Reporting and analytics

Part3 reporting

Part3 provides instant visibility into construction administration performance to keep projects profitable. Real-time dashboards track team performance and cycle times, allowing architects to identify bottlenecks immediately and hold contractors accountable when tasks are taking too long. 

The platform offers live financial insights to monitor project budgets and avoid unpleasant surprises during the CA phase. Teams can also track the impact of changes, seeing which consultant groups are issuing the most changes, why changes are being issued, and how they've affected project deadlines and financials.

Autodesk Build reporting

Autodesk Build offers comprehensive analytics spanning the entire project lifecycle, from preconstruction through operations. The platform features Construction IQ risk analysis that uses AI to identify potential issues across design, quality, safety, and project controls. 

Teams can generate custom reports on submittals, RFIs, issues, and costs while leveraging advanced photo management with auto-tagging and real-time collaboration metrics.

Integrations

Part3 integrations

Part3 offers a seamless two-way integration with Procore that eliminates the hassle of working directly within GC tools. Instead of jumping between apps, email, and servers to upload and download documents, architects can manage Procore projects directly from Part3 with real-time automatic syncing. RFIs and submittals are imported automatically, responses are prepared in Part3's architect-focused interface, and updates sync back to Procore instantly—eliminating duplication, reducing errors, and streamlining collaboration. 

Critically, this integration ensures architects retain control and ownership of their data, with the ability to set permissions so only the design team can access draft documents. Even if contractor access to Procore is later revoked, all project data remains secure and accessible in Part3.

Autodesk Build integrations

Autodesk Build offers extensive integration capabilities both within the Autodesk ecosystem (including seamless connections to AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D, and other Autodesk Construction Cloud products) and with third-party platforms. External integrations include accounting systems like Sage, Viewpoint, JD Edwards, and ProEst, as well as scheduling tools like Microsoft Project and Oracle Primavera Cloud. The platform also supports Bluebeam for document review and various ERP systems. Cross-account data sharing allows general contractors to collaborate with subcontractors while maintaining control over information access.

Customer support

Part3 support

Part3 is frequently praised for its responsive customer service with quick response times to questions and issues. The platform provides comprehensive online resources including help documentation, virtual training, and in-app “Ask” chat. For personalized assistance, users can submit support requests through Beacon, which automatically connects the request to the relevant project and document for faster resolution. The company provides personalized assistance for firm-specific workflows and actively incorporates user suggestions into product development. Users consistently note that the Part3 team is actively engaged in collecting feedback and improving the platform based on real-world architect needs.

Autodesk Build support

Autodesk Construction Cloud provides support with 24/5 availability. The platform includes a library of 5-minute training videos for quick learning, optional professional services for implementation assistance, and an online help center and knowledge base. 

Users can also access community forums for peer-to-peer support and benefit from a 30-day money-back guarantee for risk-free trials. Autodesk's support infrastructure is robust but may feel less personalized than Part3's approach, particularly for smaller firms.

Pricing

Part3 pricing

Part3’s pricing is based on two plans, Core and Complete, with a minimum of 5 seats. Discounts are available for higher seat counts and/or longer commitments.

• Core Plan: $150 per month for 5 seats, with the per-seat cost decreasing as additional users are added.

• Complete Plan: $200 per month for 5 seats, decreasing as additional users are added. The Complete plan includes all Core features plus ProjectFiles, Part3’s drawing and document management system.

There are no additional seats required for engineers, owners, or contractors. Plans are billed annually in USD, and firms can request additional discounts for commitments over one year. Free trials are available by request so project teams can explore the platform before purchasing.

Autodesk Build pricing

Autodesk Build offers multiple pricing tiers with both per-user and unlimited-user options.

• Per-User Pricing: Starting at $165/user/month or $1,625/user/year (annual subscriptions offer discounted rates)

• Unlimited User Pricing: Custom quotes available based on project size and needs

All subscriptions include access to Autodesk Docs, the mobile app, and all product features. Autodesk Build's pricing can become expensive for smaller teams or firms working on multiple small-to-medium projects, though the unlimited user model may provide better value for large projects with many stakeholders.

Which is right for you?

While both platforms serve the AEC industry, they're built with different users and project types in mind.

Part3 is purpose-built for architects and engineers managing construction administration. If your firm needs AI-powered automation for submittals, RFIs, drawings, and field reports—with the flexibility to integrate into contractor-preferred platforms like Procore—Part3 offers a streamlined, architect-focused solution. It's designed for quick implementation with minimal training, making it ideal for firms of all sizes who want enterprise-grade security (SOC 2 certified) without complexity.

Autodesk Build is a comprehensive project management platform designed for general contractors and construction managers. If you're coordinating large, complex projects across multiple trades, budgets, and schedules—and need advanced analytics like predictive risk analysis and Construction IQ—Autodesk Build provides the depth and breadth required for enterprise-scale construction management.

Weigh your needs when choosing Part3 vs. Autodesk Build

Ultimately, the best platform depends on your role in the project, team size, project complexity, and specific workflow requirements. We encourage you to evaluate your firm's unique needs, consider trial periods from both platforms, and choose the tool that best aligns with your goals for efficiency, collaboration, and project success. The right software investment will pay dividends in reduced administrative burden, improved team coordination, and ultimately, more profitable and successful projects.

If you'd like to learn more about Part3, you can book a demo with one of our product specialists today.