When it comes to construction projects, Procore is often the go-to platform for contractors. 

But what about architects?

As an architect, you play a critical role in overseeing design execution during construction administration, but your needs often extend beyond what contractor-focused tools like Procore are built to handle. This leaves many architects questioning: Can Procore truly support my work, or is there a better solution?

In this article, we’ll explore why Procore isn’t always the right fit for architects and engineers, the gaps it leaves in construction administration, and how you can take control of your data, processes, and collaborations with the right tools.

Do architects use Procore?

Yes, many architects and engineers use Procore—but typically as collaborators on a contractor’s project. While it’s helpful for responding to RFIs and submittals, Procore is fundamentally a contractor’s tool. It’s designed to manage the construction side of a project, not the full range of tasks architects and engineers handle during CA. This limitation can leave you juggling multiple tools and struggling to standardize your processes.

Why architects struggle with contractor tools

Procore excels at helping contractors manage construction activities, but architects and engineers need more than that. Construction administration involves a variety of tasks beyond RFIs and submittals:

• Updating and issuing drawings

• Reviewing and tracking quotes

• Issuing site instructions (SIs) and bulletins

• Conducting and documenting site visits

If you’re relying on Procore for CA, you’re likely handling these tasks through a patchwork of Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and email chains. This fragmented approach is inefficient and prone to errors, leaving architects and engineers vulnerable to disputes and miscommunication.

Procore owns your data

When using contractor-led platforms like Procore, architects often give up control over critical project data and workflows. Here are some of the key challenges architects face when using Procore:

• Data ownership Issues: When data is housed in systems like Procore, it’s often controlled by the contractor. You may not have access to your own project data when you need it most. In fact, by entering information into Procore, you may unintentionally give up ownership rights to that data—something that’s especially concerning from a legal standpoint.

• Limited access to historical data: When data isn’t in your control, you lose valuable insights. Without access to historical records, you can’t track trends or identify opportunities to improve project performance and reduce risks.

• Fragmented processes: Since Procore is contractor-led, it can create fragmented workflows that don’t align with the standardized processes architects need. This can lead to confusion and inefficiencies, especially when you’re required to use different systems for each project.

  
  

Don’t even get us started on the emails…

When architects and engineers work with general contractors in Procore, the email overload is no joke! You’re often stuck downloading documents, uploading them again, and jumping between different apps or servers, making it all feel disjointed and inefficient. It’s a lot of back-and-forth that keeps you from staying on top of things and can easily slow down the entire process.

Instead of dealing with endless email chains and switching between tools, having everything in one place makes a huge difference. It’s about getting more done without all the extra steps.

So, the question then becomes…

Is there a Procore for architects?

Yes, it’s called Part3. Designed specifically for architects and engineers, Part3 integrates with Procore to consolidate and automate construction administration workflows in one platform tailored to design professionals. It provides the tools you need to manage processes, control data, and collaborate seamlessly with contractors and consultants. For example, Part3 allows you to issue changes, track reviews, and collaborate in real-time, while keeping work-in-progress hidden from contractors.

Part3 puts you back in the driver’s seat. With Part3, you maintain full ownership of your project data and can securely track RFIs, submittals, and all other CA activities. The cloud-based platform allows for easy access and collaboration with outside consultants, while keeping your data in your hands. Plus, with built-in analytics, you can review trends, track response times, and streamline your processes—giving you the confidence to manage your projects proactively and avoid the complications of contractor-controlled systems.

As one client shared, the ability to link to contractor systems like Procore while still maintaining ownership of their data has been a game-changer. Check out the video below to hear more about their experience with Part3’s Procore integration:

How Part3 integrates with Procore

Part3 doesn’t aim to replace Procore; it complements it by bridging the gap between contractor and consultant workflows. As a Procore marketplace partner, Part3 ensures smooth collaboration between design and construction teams without forcing either to compromise their preferred tools.

How the integration works at a high level:

• Seamless syncing: RFIs and submittals flow directly from the contractor’s Procore project into the consultant’s Part3 project. This keeps both teams aligned without manual effort.

• Controlled collaboration: Permissions in Part3 ensure that contractors see only finalized documents—drafts stay private to the design team.

• Effortless updates: Once the design team completes a review in Part3, responses are automatically synced back to Procore, enabling real-time updates for the construction team.

Setting up the integration is straightforward. It involves just a few simple steps to connect your Part3 and Procore projects. 

How to set up the integration:

1. Invite the general contractor: The prime consultant adds the general contractor (with Procore admin rights) to their Part3 project team. This ensures the connection can be established.

2. Authorize accounts: Each team member working on the project authorizes their Part3 account to interact with Procore. This simple, one-time step enables secure data sharing between the platforms.

3. Connect the projects: The general contractor makes the final connection in Procore by linking their project with Part3. This quick process unlocks the seamless syncing of RFIs and submittals.

This integration means contractors can continue working in Procore while architects and engineers use Part3—a platform built for their specific needs. With real-time cloud updates, both teams stay informed without duplicating work or switching systems.

The result? Collaboration becomes smoother, faster, and more secure—exactly what modern projects demand.

Take control of your CA with Part3

Architects and engineers deserve tools designed for their unique needs, not workarounds for contractor-focused systems. With Part3, you can streamline your construction administration workflows, maintain full control of your data, and collaborate seamlessly without the inefficiencies of fragmented processes.

Whether you're managing RFIs, issuing site instructions, or tracking submittals, Part3 empowers you to work smarter, not harder. Ready to see the difference a purpose-built platform can make?

Book a demo today and experience the future of construction administration for architects and engineers.