Yes, project management is included in Office 365 (now Microsoft 365), primarily through the Planner app, which has been designed to help teams manage tasks, projects, and collaborate effectively. However, the level of project management features you get depends on your specific Microsoft 365 subscription and whether you opt for additional plans.
Basic Project Management in Microsoft 365
Microsoft Planner: This tool is included with most Microsoft 365 subscriptions and offers basic project management capabilities. With Planner, you can create and manage tasks, assign them to team members, track progress using visual tools like Kanban boards, and collaborate in real-time within Microsoft Teams.
Features of Planner in Microsoft 365:
Task creation and management with checklists, files, and labels.
Real-time collaboration, commenting, and sharing.
Integration with Microsoft Teams for seamless communication.
Basic plan templates, List, Grid, and Board views.
Charts and task dependencies for simple project tracking.
Advanced Project Management (Additional Subscription Required)
For more advanced project management needs, you can upgrade to a higher-level plan that expands on the basic features included with Planner:
Planner Plan 1 ($10.00 per user/month):
Adds features like project goals, backlogs, sprints, premium plan templates, timeline (Gantt) views, and enhanced task dependencies.
Ideal for teams needing more advanced planning tools without the full complexity of traditional project management software.
Project Plan 3 ($30.00 per user/month):
Includes everything in Planner Plan 1, plus advanced features like Copilot in Planner (preview), task history, roadmaps, baselines, resource management, and financial tracking.
This plan also gives you access to the Project Online desktop client, making it suitable for more complex projects.
Project Plan 5 ($55.00 per user/month):
This plan is for enterprise-level project and portfolio management, including everything in Project Plan 3 plus portfolio management and enterprise resource allocation.
Best suited for organizations managing multiple large-scale projects with complex dependencies and resource management needs.
Third-Party Option: Trovve
If you’re looking for an AI-enhanced project management solution that integrates directly with Microsoft Teams, Trovve is an excellent option.
Pricing: Plans range from $16 per user per month (annual payment) to $20 per user per month (quarterly payment).
Best for: Teams seeking an AI-powered project management tool, particularly in project-centric industries like Construction and Technology. Trovve is ideal for project managers, operations managers, and team leaders.
Key Features:
Seamless Microsoft Teams Integration: Operates entirely within Microsoft Teams, eliminating the need to switch between apps.
AI-Powered Efficiency: Offers smart task suggestions and automated workflows to enhance productivity.
Full Microsoft 365 Compatibility: Works seamlessly with other Microsoft tools.
Centralized Workspace: Consolidates all project elements in one place within Teams.
Collaboration Tools: Facilitates document sharing, communication, and progress tracking.
Time-Saving Automation: AI handles task suggestions and workflow optimizations.
Benefits:
Saves time by eliminating the need to toggle between apps.
Reduces errors through centralized information management.
Boosts productivity with AI-powered insights.
Offers seamless adoption for teams already using Microsoft Teams.
Try Trovve on Microsoft Teams free for 7 days – no credit card required
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