How PC.o compares for schedule analysis
Hundreds of dollars a year, not thousands, and simple to use: PC.o covers analysis, comparison, look-aheads, conversion and link sharing in one browser tool, with DCMA as the standard and the rest left to each user's own measures. Acumen Fuse and Steelray put one number on the schedule, let users write their own checks and slice results by area.
Hundreds of dollars a year, not thousands, and nothing to install. Analysis, comparison, look-aheads, convert and clean, and a Gantt you can share by link, all in the browser.
How PC.o's base product (analysis, comparison, look-aheads, convert and clean, the Gantt viewer and sharing) stands against the three schedule-analysis tools planners name most: Deltek Acumen Fuse, Steelray Project Analyzer and XER Schedule Toolkit. Every vendor cell comes from the vendor's own public documentation; where a feature was not found there it is marked no.
84%
PC.o
of 76 features
Browser only. $25 / month or $200 / year; group seats the same each; 30-day trial, no card.
72%
Deltek Acumen Fuse
of 76 features
Windows desktop (Mac only through Parallels or VMware). Named, concurrent or server licences; thousands of dollars a year per seat, exact price by quote.
53%
Steelray Project Analyzer
of 76 features
Windows desktop. Microsoft Project only: $1,575 / user / year or $157.50 / month; Analyzer for P6 $990 / year.
68%
XER Schedule Toolkit
of 76 features
Browser, hosted on AWS in Ireland. From £29.99 / month or £199 / year + VAT; viewer seats come in bundles.
A feature the product has counts 1, a partial one or a paid add-on counts ½ (yes 1, partial or add-on ½), over the same 76 features for each column.
The simple facts
| Fact | PC.o | Deltek Acumen Fuse | Steelray Project Analyzer | XER Schedule Toolkit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price for one user | $25 / month or $200 / year | Thousands a year per seat; exact price by quote | $1,575 / year for Project; Analyzer for P6 $990 / year | £29.99 / month or £199 / year + VAT |
| Install | Nothing: a browser on Mac, Windows or iPad | 64-bit Windows app; Mac only through Parallels | Windows app with a small Project add-in | Nothing: a browser |
| Opens the files people already have | XER, P6 XML, MPP, Project XML, MPX, Excel | XER, P6 XML, MPP, Excel, Asta, Phoenix, Safran, P6 EPPM | MPP, Project Server and Online; XER in the P6 edition | XER, P6 XML, MPP |
| The DCMA 14-point assessment | All 14, dashboard and Word report; limits fixed | All 14 with editable limits, among 600+ metrics | All 14 plus DECM, with a score and grade | A preset among 40+ checks, with a weighted score |
| Comparison of updates | Included: ties, durations, constraints, dates, calendars, trends | Forensics over any number of snapshots; half-step | Field compare and score trend; logic changes in the P6 edition | Dates, logic, durations, codes; constraints not named |
| Dashboards | Overview, Cost and Details for analysis and comparison | Dashboard, ribbons by WBS / code, phases by period | Scorecards; no cost view | Dashboard Creator; earned value dashboards |
| Sharing with people who have no licence | A link, no account; password and costs on or off | Send Word, PDF or Excel files | Send Excel, Word or PowerPoint files | Each viewer needs a Toolkit seat; PDF and Excel out |
| Ease of use: time to a first result | Minutes: upload a file, open the dashboard | After a Windows install, a licence key and an import | After a Windows install; then open the .mpp | Minutes: upload an XER |
| Risk and delay analysis | None | Monte Carlo in the Acumen Risk add-on; half-step | Delay Analyzer add-on for XER files | None |
| Reports of your own design | Paid plans; your logo; Word and Excel; shareable | Briefing text editable; more through the API | List, matrix, comparison reports; templates | Own dashboards; bespoke reports on Enterprise |
Feature by feature
✓ Yes◐ Partial or add-on○ No
| Feature | PC.o | Deltek Acumen Fuse | Steelray Project Analyzer | XER Schedule Toolkit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inputs and formats | ||||
| Primavera P6 XER | YesRead and analysed; a multi-project XER splits into one schedule each | YesRead directly; P6 need not be installed | Add-onOnly in Analyzer for P6, $990 / user / year | YesUpload an XER; pick projects from a multi-project file |
| Primavera P6 XML | Yes | Yes | Nonot found in public docs; Analyzer for P6 reads XER | YesAlso PLF layouts |
| Microsoft Project .mpp | Yes | Yes | YesThrough a small Project add-in | YesAlso MPT |
| Microsoft Project XML (MSPDI) | Yes | Nonot found in public docs; written, not read | Nonot found in public docs | Partial'XML' import listed; MSPDI not named |
| MPX | Yes | Nonot found in public docs | Nonot found in public docs | Nonot found in public docs |
| Excel schedules | PartialRead and mapped on upload; not analysed or compared | YesExcel data source with field mapping | Nonot found in public docs | Nonot found in public docs |
| Live connection to a P6 or Project database | NoFiles only | YesP6 EPPM web services, Project Server and Online | PartialProject Server and Project Online; no P6 link | NoFile upload only |
| Other formats (Asta Powerproject, Phoenix, Safran, Open Plan) | PartialAnything else falls through to the MPXJ universal reader at upload; untested, analysis only, not the Scheduler or Convert | YesAlso Cobra, UN/CEFACT, IPMDAR | Nonot found in public docs | NoNot natively; only through another tool's XER export |
| The DCMA 14-point assessment | ||||
| All 14 points as a ready-made set, with a report | YesDashboard panel, Word summary and full report | YesStandard DCMA 14-point metric library | Yes14-point report plus a configurable version | YesPreset among 40+ checks; checks not itemised |
| Missing logic (open ends) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Leads and lags | Yes | Yes | Yes | YesLags named; leads inside the DCMA preset |
| Relationship types (finish-to-start share) | YesPlus FF, SS, SF counts | Yes | Yes | YesInside the DCMA preset (not itemised) |
| Hard constraints | YesPlus soft, double and missed constraints | Yes | Yes | YesExcessive constraints; hard vs soft not stated |
| High float and negative float | Yes44 days or more flagged | Yes44-day limit, editable | YesLimits editable | YesNegative float named; high float in the preset |
| High duration | Yes44 days or more flagged | Yes44-day limit, editable | YesPlanning-period setting | YesWeightable |
| Invalid dates | YesActuals after the data date; confirmed in use | Yes | YesValid actual and forecast dates | YesInside the DCMA preset (not itemised) |
| Activities without resources | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Missed activities and BEI | YesIn a comparison against the target | Yes | Yes | YesLate starts / finishes vs baseline; BEI in the preset |
| Critical path test and CPLI | Yes | Yes | YesNeeds a status date and a finish task | YesInside the DCMA preset (not itemised) |
| More checks, limits and scoring | ||||
| Checks beyond the DCMA 14 (out-of-sequence, near-critical, milestones) | Yes100+ analysis metrics and 400+ comparison metrics over logic, float, durations, milestones, cost | Yes600+ metrics | YesSteelray criteria library and DECM checks | Yes40+ checks |
| Other published standards (GAO, NASA, DECM) | NoDCMA 14 only | YesGAO, NASA STAT, DOE, DECM libraries | YesDCMA DECM; GAO export only in older releases | PartialNEC3 / NEC4 contract rules; GAO not found |
| Calendar checks | PartialCalendar list and use; workday changes in a comparison | Nonot found in public docs; calendar changes compared | Nonot found in public docs | PartialCalendar viewer; calendar checks not named |
| Set your own pass / fail limits | YesPer item in a custom report: pass / fail, traffic lights or bands; the DCMA limits stay at the standard | YesTripwire threshold editor | YesRed / yellow / green limits per check | YesRAG limits by percent or count; saved schemes |
| One score or grade for the schedule | PartialBy design no single grade: pass / warn / fail counts per custom report, DCMA as the one standard | Yes0-100 score and the Fuse Schedule Index | YesWeighted 0-100% score, optional letter grade | YesWeighted overall score, pass / fail |
| Write your own checks | NoCustom analysis is built; not switched on yet | YesMetric editor with Excel-style formulas | YesCriteria Manager and filter builder | PartialTune saved checks; bespoke checks on Enterprise |
| Drill to the failing activities | YesDetail grid; Word or Excel of the rows you tick | YesActivity Browser | YesTask tables; jump to the task in Project | YesClick a tile; Excel deficiency sheets |
| Comparison of updates | ||||
| Compare two versions (target and update) | YesIncluded in the base plan | YesForensics tab, two or more snapshots | YesSchedule Compare report | YesCompare Projects |
| Added and deleted activities | Yes | Yes | Yes | YesAlso renamed activities |
| Date moves and slips | YesEarly start / finish and late finish, with the difference | YesVariance per field per snapshot | YesGraph trails each task's dates over updates | Yes |
| Logic changes (ties added, deleted, lag changed) | Yes | Yes | PartialField compare; logic changes in Analyzer for P6 | Yes |
| Duration changes | YesRemaining and calendar duration | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Constraint changes | YesType, name and date | Yes | PartialOnly by comparing the constraint fields | Nonot found in public docs |
| Data date and progress (started, finished this period) | Yes | YesHalf-step splits progress from scope | YesChanged actual starts and finishes | PartialFull compare; progress changes not itemised |
| Critical path changes | YesLongest path and float <= 0 sets | Yes | PartialCritical flag compared; no path-change report | Nonot found in public docs |
| Calendar, code and resource changes | YesWorkdays, codes, resources, settings | YesAlso UDFs | PartialField compare; calendars in Delay Analyzer | PartialResources and codes; calendars not named |
| Trend over several updates | YesAny metric across many schedules; Excel or image | YesAny number of snapshots | YesCheck scores per version | YesSeveral versions at once |
| Earned value, cost and risk | ||||
| Earned value (PV, EV, AC, SPI, CPI) | YesBudget, EAC, EV, CPI, SPI; stored period values | YesEV metric library; DECM and DOE EVMS sets | PartialSPI and CPI checks from Project's EV fields | YesBCWS, BCWP, ACWP curves |
| Cash flow, early and late | YesAlso across several projects | PartialCost per period in the phase analyzer | Nonot found in public docs | YesEarly and late S-curves |
| Dollars and quantities | YesLabour, material, equipment, expense | YesCost, duration and work by phase | Nonot found in public docs | YesCosts and units by resource or account |
| Resource histograms | PartialIn the resource bar only; not elsewhere | PartialResource ribbons; no histogram found | Nonot found in public docs | PartialFTE histogram |
| Schedule risk analysis (Monte Carlo) | No | Add-onAcumen Risk / 360 | NoVendor points to a third-party tool | Nonot found in public docs |
| Forensic delay analysis (windows, as-planned vs as-built) | No | PartialHalf-step analysis; no windows module | Add-onSteelray Delay Analyzer (XER), $3,990 / year | NoVersion compare marketed as forensic; no delay method |
| Benchmark against other projects | No | YesOpt-in Acumen Cloud benchmarking | Nonot found in public docs | Nonot found in public docs |
| Dashboards and reports | ||||
| Overview and activity-detail dashboards | YesOverview, Cost, Details tabs | YesDashboard and Activity Browser | YesScorecards; task tables per failed check | YesDashboard Creator; viewer |
| Cost dashboard | YesBudget, actuals, performance, cash flow | PartialNo cost dashboard; widgets follow EV metrics | Nonot found in public docs | YesEarned value dashboards |
| Excel reports | YesSummary, full, or the rows you pick | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Word or PDF reports | YesWord: standard, DCMA, custom; no PDF | YesExecutive briefing in Word or PDF | YesWord and PowerPoint; no PDF found | YesPDF summary; no Word |
| Custom reports of your own design | YesPaid plans; your logo; Word and Excel; shareable | PartialBriefing text editable; more through the API | YesList, matrix, comparison reports; templates | PartialOwn dashboards; bespoke reports on Enterprise |
| Trend charts | Yes | Yes | PartialTask-date trail; score sparklines in the P6 edition | PartialPeriod reporting; multi-update charts not shown |
| Slice the results by WBS, code or period | PartialResource bar and cash flow by WBS / code; the checks are not sliced | YesRibbons by WBS, code, resource; phases by period | YesGrouped matrix by any field | YesFilter checks by dates, codes, WBS |
| Look-aheads and Excel | ||||
| Import a look-ahead from Excel | YesAny workbook; the columns are mapped for you | Nonot found in public docs | Nonot found in public docs | Nonot found in public docs |
| Create a look-ahead from a schedule | YesFrom the Gantt viewer's Export menu; confirmed in use | Nonot found in public docs | Nonot found in public docs | YesPreset look-ahead and look-back views |
| Compare a look-ahead against the schedule | Yes | Nonot found in public docs | Nonot found in public docs | Nonot found in public docs |
| Several look-aheads at once | YesCompare look-aheads; one per worksheet | Nonot found in public docs | Nonot found in public docs | Nonot found in public docs |
| Convert and clean | ||||
| Primavera P6 to Microsoft Project | YesWrites Project XML, not .mpp | YesPublishes a P6-sourced scenario as Project XML | Nonot found in public docs | Nonot found in public docs |
| Microsoft Project to Primavera P6 | YesXER or P6 XML | PartialXER export exists; the Project-to-XER path not stated | Nonot found in public docs | Nonot found in public docs |
| Schedule to Excel | Yes | Yes | Nonot found in public docs (results only) | YesSchedule and Gantt |
| Global codes to project codes | YesAlso calendars to project | Nonot found in public docs | Nonot found in public docs | Nonot found in public docs |
| Remove costs, codes, quantities before sending | YesXER files | Nonot found in public docs; cleanse is for logic | NoOnly a free macro outside the product | PartialCost and units withheld when sharing |
| Fix the schedule and save it back | Add-onScheduler add-on: edit, export XER or Project XML | YesCleanse scenario published back to P6 or Project | NoRead-only; fixes made in Project | PartialProgress through SyncSheet (Enterprise) |
| Gantt, sharing and teamwork | ||||
| Gantt viewer | YesFilters, logic lines, longest path, detail panel | YesSmartGantt with metric results | Add-onSteelray Project Viewer | YesRebuilt in 2.0 |
| Share a view by link | YesCosts on or off per link | Nonot found in public docs | Nonot found in public docs | PartialRead-only shares to Toolkit accounts by email |
| Password on a link | Yes | Nonot found in public docs | Nonot found in public docs | NoNo public links; every share needs a sign-in |
| Links that update when the schedule changes | Add-onScheduler add-on live link | Nonot found in public docs | Nonot found in public docs | YesUpload Latest replaces the shared project |
| Print the Gantt to PDF | YesThrough the browser's print dialog | PartialViews print; Gantt to PDF not confirmed | Add-onPrint in Project Viewer; no PDF found | Yes |
| Trace logic through the network | PartialFragnet built by clicking ties | YesTrace forward, backward, driving only | PartialLongest Path report | YesShow Driving Path |
| Shared folders and files inside the tool | YesFolders, files, reports, templates | Add-onAcumen Touchstone portal | Nonot found in public docs | YesProject folders and share teams |
| Recipients need no install and no licence | YesA link opens in any browser, no account | PartialResults sent as Word, PDF or Excel files | PartialResults sent as Excel, Word or PowerPoint files | PartialNo install; each viewer needs a Toolkit seat |
| Platform, access and pricing | ||||
| Runs in a browser on Windows, Mac or iPad | YesNothing to install | NoWindows desktop; Mac only through Parallels | NoWindows only | YesBrowser app on AWS |
| Files stay on your own machine | NoUploaded to Azure, Central US | YesLocal install; cloud features opt-in | YesAnalysis runs on local files | NoAWS Ireland; region choice on Enterprise |
| Your files and reports in one place, open from any device | YesHosted folders: schedules, reports, templates, look-aheads; sign in from any browser | NoDesktop files on each machine | NoDesktop files on each machine | YesHosted; viewer seats in bundles |
| Team seats managed by an admin | YesGroup plan, each seat $25 / month or $200 / year | YesNamed, concurrent-pool and server licences | PartialNamed users only; site licence by quote | YesBundles of named seats, reassignable |
| Public list price | Yes$25 / month or $200 / year | NoThousands a year per seat; exact price by quote | Yes$1,575 / user / year or $157.50 / month | YesFrom £29.99 / month or £199 / year + VAT |
| Free trial | Yes30 days, no card | PartialTrial keys on request | Yes10 days | Yes30 days, no card |
| Training and how-to material | YesLearn tab: videos and articles; email support | YesSupport, consulting, paid training | YesVideos, user guide, paid training | YesTutorials, forum, webinars |
| API or batch automation | PartialAvailable by quote; built out when asked | PartialAPI for custom reports | PartialSaved sets start from the command line | Nonot found in public docs |
Where PC.o is different
- Standards that fit the purpose. DCMA is the one published standard and PC.o ships it; every other limit depends on what a schedule is for, so instead of one grade for every schedule, a custom report lets people pick their own concerns, limits and warnings per item.
- Look-aheads. PC.o is the only one of the four that reads an Excel look-ahead workbook, compares it against the schedule and compares several look-aheads with each other.
- Sharing with people who hold no licence. A link opens the Gantt in any browser with no account, with a password and costs on or off; the desktop tools send files, and XER Schedule Toolkit needs a seat for every viewer.
- Convert and clean in the same place: Primavera P6 to Project XML and back, either to Excel, global codes to project codes, and costs, quantities and codes removed before a file goes out.
- The comparison is in the base plan and goes wide: ties, durations, constraints, dates, calendars, codes and critical-path changes, plus early and late cash flow and trends across many updates.
- Hundreds a year and nothing to learn: five schedule formats and Excel in, nothing to install, a public price of $25 a month or $200 a year and a 30-day trial. Fuse runs to thousands a year per seat and is priced by quote; Steelray is $1,575 a year and covers one scheduling tool per product.
Vendor columns from public documentation, October 2026.
Deltek, Acumen Fuse, Steelray, Steelray Project Analyzer and XER Schedule Toolkit are trademarks of their owners. PC.o is not affiliated with them.