Category: Microsoft Project

No, Microsoft Project is not the same as a Gantt chart, but it is a powerful project management tool that includes Gantt chart functionality as one of its key features. Microsoft Project is now integrated into the new Planner app, which combines features from the old Microsoft Project, Planner, and To-Do into a single unified platform. 

Microsoft Project and the New Planner App

Microsoft Project is a comprehensive project management software that has been integrated into the new Planner app within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. This integration allows users to access advanced project management features, including Gantt charts, directly within Planner. The new Planner app offers a wide range of functionalities, such as: 

Task and Resource Management: Manage tasks with dependencies, assign resources, and track their usage across multiple projects. 

Project Scheduling and Timelines: Create detailed project schedules and timelines, which are visualized using the Gantt chart feature known as the Timeline in Planner. 

Seamless Collaboration: Integrate project management directly within Microsoft Teams, enabling better collaboration and communication across your team. 

Gantt Chart Overview

A Gantt chart is a specific type of bar chart used in project management to represent a project schedule. It visually displays tasks along a timeline, showing their start and end dates, durations, and dependencies. Gantt charts are essential for: 

Visualizing Project Timelines: See when tasks are scheduled and how they overlap. 

Tracking Progress: Monitor the status of tasks and overall project milestones. 

Managing Dependencies: Understand how tasks are related and how delays in one task might affect others. 

Relationship Between Microsoft Project and Gantt Charts in Planner

In the new Planner app, which now includes Microsoft Project features, the Gantt chart is presented as the Timeline feature. When you create a project in Planner, the software automatically generates a Timeline based on the tasks, durations, and dependencies you input. This allows you to: 

Manage Project Schedules: Use the Timeline in Planner to visualize and adjust your project schedule. 

Track Task Completion: Monitor the progress of individual tasks and overall project milestones using the Timeline. 

Handle Dependencies: The Timeline highlights how tasks are connected, helping you manage dependencies effectively. 

You May Be Interested In:

Does Microsoft have a Gantt chart tool? 

Can Microsoft Planner do or create a Gantt chart? 

How do I add a Gantt chart to Microsoft Project? 

No, Microsoft Project is not being discontinued. Instead, Microsoft Project is now integrated with Microsoft Planner and Microsoft To-Do, forming a more cohesive solution for task and project management within Microsoft 365 under the new app called Microsoft Planner. This integration enables users to access a variety of project management tools—from basic task tracking to intricate project planning—within one platform, especially when using Microsoft Teams. 

Availability and Plans

Project Plan 1, 3, and 5: Microsoft Project is offered in multiple plans, each providing different levels of capabilities. Project Plan 3 and Plan 5 include advanced features such as task dependencies, resource management, and portfolio management, essential for overseeing large and complex projects. 

Continued Development: Microsoft remains committed to enhancing Microsoft Project as part of the broader Planner ecosystem, ensuring it continues to be a vital component of its project management suite. 

You May Be Interested In:

Is MS Project being discontinued? 

Is Microsoft Project still relevant? 

Is Microsoft Project part of Office 365? 

Yes, Microsoft Project can be used for program management. Microsoft Project, particularly in its higher-tier plans like Project Plan 3 and Project Plan 5, offers robust tools that are well-suited for managing multiple projects within a program. These tools allow you to oversee and coordinate related projects, track progress, manage resources, and ensure that all projects align with the broader program objectives. 

Key Features for Program Management in Microsoft Project

Portfolio Management: In Project Plan 5, Microsoft Project includes portfolio management features that allow you to manage and prioritize multiple projects across a program. You can view and analyze the performance of each project within the program, helping you make informed decisions about resource allocation and project prioritization. 

Resource Management: Microsoft Project offers powerful resource management tools that allow you to allocate and manage resources across multiple projects within a program. This ensures that resources are used efficiently and helps to avoid conflicts or overallocation. 

Timeline and Milestone Tracking: You can create and track timelines and milestones for each project within the program, ensuring that all projects are progressing as planned. This visibility helps in identifying potential delays or issues that could impact the overall program. 

Reporting and Analytics: Microsoft Project provides advanced reporting and analytics capabilities, allowing you to generate detailed reports on project and program performance. This is crucial for keeping stakeholders informed and ensuring that the program stays on track. 

Integration with Other Microsoft Tools: Microsoft Project integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft 365 tools like Teams, SharePoint, and Power BI. This integration enhances collaboration and data sharing across the program, making it easier to manage complex programs with multiple stakeholders.

You May Be Interested In:

Can you use Microsoft Project for agile project management? 

Can you work on Microsoft Project together? 

Is Microsoft Project still relevant? 

Yes, Microsoft Project can be used for agile project management. Since Microsoft Project is now integrated into the new Planner app, it offers specific templates for agile project management, which are available in Project Plan 3 or higher. These templates include features like Kanban boards that allow you to track sprints, manage backlogs, and visualize workflow, making it well-suited for agile methodologies. 

Using Microsoft Project for Agile Project Management

Agile Templates: The new Planner, integrated with Microsoft Project, includes agile-specific templates that help you manage sprints, track progress, and organize tasks in a way that aligns with agile practices. 

Kanban Boards: One of the standout features is the Kanban board, which allows you to easily track tasks across different stages of a sprint. This visual approach helps teams stay on top of their workflow and quickly adjust as needed. 

Get Advanced Agile Capabilities with Trovve

If you’re involved in agile software development or any other agile project management that requires deep integration with document management (e.g., creating Word documents from tasks and automatically saving them to specific folders), you might consider using Trovve. 

Why Trovve?

AI Capabilities: Trovve’s AI features can help with generating user stories, breaking down requirements into tasks, and more, making your agile process more efficient. 

Document Management Integration: Trovve integrates seamlessly with document management systems, enabling you to automatically generate and organize documents based on your tasks and sprints. 

Microsoft Project, through the new Planner app, is a strong tool for agile project management, especially with features like agile templates and Kanban boards. However, if your agile projects require advanced document management or AI-driven task generation, Trovve may offer additional benefits that enhance your workflow. 

Try Trovve on Microsoft Teams free for 7 days – no credit card required

You May Be Interested In:

Can Microsoft Planner do or create a Gantt chart? 

Can Microsoft Project be used for program management? 

Is Microsoft Project the same as Gantt chart? 

Microsoft’s project management software is now called Microsoft Planner. Over the years, Microsoft has offered three main tools for project and task management: 

Microsoft Project: Originally designed for complex project management, offering advanced features like task dependencies, resource allocation, and budget tracking. 

Microsoft Planner: Geared towards more visual and simpler project management, ideal for teams managing tasks and collaborating on projects. 

Microsoft To-Do: Focused on personal task management, allowing users to create and manage individual to-do lists. 

These tools have been integrated into a unified app, rebranded as Planner. This new Planner app combines the capabilities of Microsoft Project, Planner, and To-Do, providing a comprehensive solution for managing tasks and projects within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. 

While Microsoft To-Do and the original Microsoft Planner are still available as individual apps, the most enhanced experience is with the new Planner, which is best accessed via Microsoft Teams. This integration allows users to manage tasks and projects within a single, streamlined platform. 

You May Be Interested In:

What is the difference between Microsoft Planner and Microsoft Project? 

Is Microsoft Planner the same as Microsoft Project? 

What is the difference between Office 365 Planner and project? 

Yes, Microsoft Project is still relevant, but it has been rebranded and integrated into a unified app called Planner. This new Planner app combines the features of the original Microsoft Project, Microsoft Planner, and Microsoft To-Do into a single platform. 

Integration into Planner

The rebranded Planner app can be accessed directly from Microsoft Teams, providing a centralized location for task and project management. The specific features available to you will depend on your subscription plan: 

Basic Plans: Offer the core task management capabilities that were originally part of Microsoft Planner and To-Do. 

Premium Plans (Project Plan 3 or Plan 5): Include the advanced project management features that were traditionally part of Microsoft Project, such as task dependencies, resource management, and budget tracking. 

Relevance of MS Project Today

By integrating these tools into Planner, Microsoft has ensured that the powerful features of MS Project remain accessible and relevant, especially for users who need a comprehensive solution for managing both simple tasks and complex projects within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. 

You May Be Interested In:

Is MS Project being discontinued? 

Is the Microsoft Project being phased out? 

Is Microsoft Project management free? 

Microsoft Project is no longer a standalone app within Office 365. It has been integrated into a unified app called Microsoft Planner, which now includes features from the old Microsoft Planner, Microsoft Project, and Microsoft To-Do. While the basic features of Planner are included with your Microsoft 365 subscription (Business Standard, E3, or higher), the advanced features that were originally part of Microsoft Project require a premium subscription (Project Plan 3 or Project Plan 5). 

Accessing Microsoft Project Features in Office 365

The best way to access the new Microsoft Planner, which now includes Microsoft Project features, is through Microsoft Teams. Here’s how you can do it: 

Step 1: Open Microsoft Teams

 Start by opening the Microsoft Teams application on your desktop or via the web. 

Step 2: Install Planner in Microsoft Teams

1. On the left-hand side of Microsoft Teams, click on “Apps” in the side rail or menu.
2. In the search bar at the top, type “Planner” and search for the app.
3. Click on “Add” to install Planner to your Teams environment. This will add the app to your Teams side rail, making it easily accessible. 

Step 3: Use Planner for Task and Project Management

Once installed, click on the Planner icon in the left-hand menu of Microsoft Teams to open the app.

1. You can now use Planner to manage tasks from Microsoft To-Do, Planner, and Microsoft Project.
2. If you have a premium subscription (Project Plan 3 or Plan 5), you’ll have access to advanced project management features like task dependencies, resource management, and budget tracking. 

Subscription Requirements

Basic Features: Available with Microsoft 365 Business Standard, E3, or higher subscriptions. These include basic task management and collaboration tools. 

Advanced Features: To access the full range of project management features that were traditionally part of Microsoft Project, you need a premium subscription—Project Plan 3 or Project Plan 5.

You May Be Interested In:

How do I get MS Project in Office 365? 

Is Microsoft Project part of Office 365? 

Is MS Project still relevant? 

No, Project Plan 365 is not free. It is a project management tool developed by Housatonic Software, Inc., designed to mimic the look and functionality of Microsoft Project, but it operates as a separate software product with its own unique features and pricing structure. 

Pricing and Features of Project Plan 365

 Project Plan 365 requires a paid subscription. The pricing plans are as follows:

Standard Plan: $9.99 per user per month. 

Business Plan: $16.19 per user per month. 

While there is no fully free version, Project Plan 365 does offer a free trial. You can sign up for the trial here: Free Trial – Project Plan 365. After the trial period ends, continued use of the tool will require a paid subscription. 

Key Features:

Gantt Charts: Create and manage detailed project timelines. 

Resource Allocation: Manage and allocate resources efficiently across multiple projects. 

Cross-Platform Access: Available on Windows, Mac, iPad, and iPhone, enabling team collaboration from various devices. 

A Better Alternative to Project Plan 365 and Microsoft Project

If you are looking for an alternative that integrates more seamlessly with the Microsoft ecosystem and is easier to use, consider Trovve. 

About Trovve

Pricing: Trovve offers plans ranging from $16 per user per month (when paid annually) to $20 per user per month (when paid quarterly). 

Best For: Trovve is ideal for teams that need an AI-enhanced project management solution integrated directly into Microsoft Teams. It is particularly beneficial for project managers, operations managers, and team leaders in industries such as Construction and Technology. 

Key Features:

Seamless Microsoft Teams Integration: Trovve operates entirely within Microsoft Teams, allowing you to manage projects without switching between different applications. 

Multiple Views: Offers flexible views, including list view, Kanban board, and team view, catering to various project management styles. 

AI-Powered Efficiency: Trovve uses AI to provide smart task suggestions and automate workflows, boosting productivity. 

Full Microsoft 365 Compatibility: Trovve integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365, providing a centralized workspace within MS Teams for all project elements. 

Collaboration Tools: Facilitates document sharing, communication, and progress tracking within a single platform. 

Time-Saving Automation: AI handles task suggestions and workflow optimizations, reducing manual effort. 

Benefits:

Time-Saving: Streamlines workflows by eliminating the need to toggle between multiple apps. 

Error Reduction: Centralized information management reduces errors. 

Productivity Boost: AI-powered insights and automation enhance team efficiency. 

Easy Adoption: Teams already using Microsoft Teams will find Trovve easy to adopt. 

Try Trovve for Free

You can try Trovve on Microsoft Teams free for 7 days—no credit card required. This trial allows you to explore its features and determine if it meets your project management needs. 

Try Trovve on Microsoft Teams free for 7 days – no credit card required

You May Be Interested In:

How can I use Project Plan 365 for free? 

Is Project Plan 365 compatible with Microsoft Project? 

Is Microsoft Project management free?