Microsoft Project
by Microsoft
Microsoft's long-standing desktop scheduling application, used mainly for smaller project schedules and subcontractor programmes. Microsoft has folded Project for the web into Planner and retired Project Online on 30 September 2026; the Project desktop client remains available.
Specification
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Categories
- Planning, Scheduling & Risk
- Phase
- PProcurement & project control
- Status
- Active
- Deployment
- Desktop
- Licensing
- Not documented
- Standards
- None documented
- Official site
- microsoft.com
Capabilities
- aGantt-based CPM scheduling
- bResource assignment
- cBaselines and progress tracking
- dXML schedule exchange
Assessment
The ubiquitous scheduler for subcontractor and supplier programmes, rarely the contract master on major EPC projects.
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Capability25%6/10
Gantt-based CPM scheduling, resources and baselines for small and mid-sized schedules.
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Interoperability20%7/10
XML schedule exchange is widely supported by risk and analysis tools.
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Scale15%5/10
Limited for very large, multi-contractor EPC schedules.
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Usability15%8/10
Familiar Office-style interface.
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Deployment10%6/10
Desktop application; Microsoft has retired Project for the web into Planner and announced the end of Project Online.
-
Ecosystem15%9/10
Ubiquitous, especially among subcontractors and suppliers.
Strengths
- Familiar and widely available
- XML exchange
- Low barrier to entry
Considerations
- Microsoft's cloud project products are being retired or folded into Planner
- Limited scale for mega-projects
- Weak multi-user control
Editorial assessment from public documentation, 23 October 2026. Not a hands-on benchmark. Methodology
In the same circuit · Planning, Scheduling & Risk
- 01 83
- 02 79
- 03 76
- 04 75
- 05 75
- 06 75
- 07 75
- 08 73
- 09 73
- 10 73
- 11 72
- 12 68
- 13 68
Connected to
- Safran RiskSafran Software Solutions
Documented integrations and data exchange, in either direction.
Sources
- Microsoft ProjectMicrosoft · accessed 22 October 2026
- MC1148537 - Microsoft Project Online is retiringMicrosoft 365 Message Center (mirror) · accessed 22 October 2026
- Final reminder: Microsoft Project Online retires on September 30, 2026 (MC1478955)Microsoft 365 Message Center archive · 24 September 2026 · accessed 23 October 2026
Plate updated 23 October 2026 · revision 2