Microsoft Project

The Microsoft Project Professional platform is made specifically for the analysis and management of projects. You can use the platform to easily collaborate and plan your projects, prioritize tasks, and create visually pleasing presentations that increase productivity and efficiency amongst teams.

Note: Microsoft Project is now Microsoft Planner.

Microsoft Project Pro is associated with the Microsoft Office software family. However, it does not come with the standard suite of programs when you install Microsoft Office. Instead, it comes shipped separately.

Once you install the product, you’ll see that it certainly looks and functions like an Office product. It has a familiar ribbon-based interface and a professional look that you will love.

MS Project is a great product because it has user-friendly controls that make it quite flexible. It assists project managers in creating plans and allows you to assign different resources. Not only that, but you can track the progress of your tasks and how they’ve evolved. That way, your workload can be effectively analyzed, and your project’s budget can be managed properly.

Create Original Projects or Edit Templates

You can start from scratch and create a project if you want. But to make things easier, Microsoft offers a series of Project Templates which you can choose from to use for your project. They cover various aspects of virtually all businesses. Regardless of your project’s size, you can use Gantt charts and timelines to have total control over it.

Key Features

• Task Management: Create tasks, set deadlines, assign resources, and track progress.
• Resource Management: Allocate and manage resources efficiently, ensuring optimal utilization.
• Gantt Charts: Visualize project timelines and dependencies with intuitive Gantt charts.
• Budgeting: Track project costs and manage budgets to avoid overspending.
• Reporting: Generate detailed reports on project status, resource usage, and financials.
• Collaboration Tools: Integrate with Microsoft Teams for enhanced communication and collaboration.
• Customization: Customize project templates and workflows to fit specific project requirements.
• Integration: Seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft Office tools like Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

There are advanced reporting tools that make it easier to allocate resources and measure the evolution of your tasks. You can customize these tools to accommodate your requirements. One feature called the “Team Planner” is designed to help project managers predict problems that could cause scheduling conflicts. By doing this, the managers can change what is needed so that workloads do not become affected.

The Lync feature is a sharing tool for initiating messages and calls instantly to participants of the project. Through the integration of SharePoint and Office 365, you can access projects from pretty much any location.

Finally, project managers can depend on presentation features that are built into the software to highlight their project’s strongest points. This is great when presenting to executives and other important stakeholders.

Strong and Effective Project Management Software

Overall, Microsoft Project is a must for anyone who needs an effective project management application. It comes with advanced templates, presentation tools, and reporting tools that can easily help teams produce a successful project.  

Features and Highlights

• Fast startup
• Best-in-class templates
• Intuitive search
• Powerful scheduling
• Familiar charts
• Smart automation
• Multiple timelines
• Intuitive baselines
• Optimized task management
• Visualized relationships
• What-if planning
• Synchronized task lists
• Resource management
• Consolidated view
• Optimized resources
• Integrated collaboration
• Skype for Business
• Connected apps
• Collaborative workspaces
• Project Online and Project Server sync
• Better decision-making
• Project reports

Installation and Setup

• Purchase and Download: Purchase this program from the Microsoft Store or a licensed reseller. Download the installation file.
• Run Installer: Open the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the software.
• Sign In: Sign in with your Microsoft account to activate the product.
• Initial Setup: Configure initial settings, including language preferences and default project templates.
• Ready to Use: Once the setup is complete, you can start creating and managing projects immediately.

How to Use

• Create a New Project: Open the app and select "New Project" from the File menu.
• Define Project Tasks: Break down the project into tasks and subtasks. Enter task names, start and end dates, and dependencies.
• Assign Resources: Allocate resources (people, equipment, materials) to each task. Define resource availability and costs.
• Set Milestones: Identify key milestones and add them to the project timeline.
• Track Progress: Use the Gantt chart and other views to monitor task completion and project progress.
• Generate Reports: Create and share reports to communicate project status with stakeholders.

FAQ

Can I integrate Microsoft Project with other tools?
Yes, it integrates with other Microsoft Office tools like Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. It also integrates with Microsoft Teams for enhanced collaboration.

Is Microsoft Project available for Mac users?
The software is primarily designed for Windows. However, Mac users can access it via a web browser through Project for the web.

What are the main differences between Microsoft Project and Microsoft Project Online?
Microsoft Project is a desktop application, while Microsoft Project Online is a cloud-based solution offering additional features like portfolio management and advanced reporting.

How do I update project progress in Microsoft Project?
You can update project progress by marking tasks as complete, adjusting task durations, and updating resource allocations in the Gantt chart view.

Can I customize project templates in Microsoft Project?
Yes, you can create and save custom project templates tailored to your specific needs, which can be reused for future projects.

Alternatives

ClickUp: Combines features of project management, document storage, and more in one platform.

Asana: A flexible project management tool with a focus on task management and team collaboration.

Trello: A user-friendly Kanban-style tool ideal for smaller teams and simpler projects.

Wrike: Offers robust project management features with real-time collaboration and reporting.

Pricing

Project Plan 1: $10/user/month for basic project management features via Project for the web.

Project Plan 3: $30/user/month for additional features like desktop client access and portfolio management.

Project Plan 5: $55/user/month for advanced capabilities including demand management and enterprise-level reporting.

System Requirements

• Operating System: Windows 11/10
• Processor: 1.6 GHz or faster, dual-core.
• RAM: 4 GB (64-bit) or 2 GB (32-bit).
• Hard Disk Space: 4 GB of available disk space.
• Display: 1280 x 768 resolution.

PROS

• Robust feature set for comprehensive project management.
• Seamless integration with other Microsoft Office tools.
• User-friendly interface.
• Advanced reporting and analytics.

CONS

• High cost, especially for small businesses or individual users.
• Steep learning curve for beginners.
• Limited support for agile methodologies.

Note: 5 days trial version.