What Is Microsoft Project and What Is It Used For?

What can Microsoft Project really do, and how good is it? The product has evolved significantly since its launch, and today we tell you all about it.

This programme has long been an industry standard. But like a dark secret, Microsoft Project is both fascinating and opaque. Let us spend some time exploring it, and on this journey we will determine whether it is the right project management software for you and your business.

What Is MSP?

Microsoft Project (MSP) is project management software designed for project managers to plan, track and control their projects. Depending on your plan, Microsoft Project allows you to plan and assign tasks, manage resources, create reports and much more. It offers a comprehensive range of features and quickly dominated the project management software space when it was first introduced.

Microsoft Project is part of the broader Microsoft Office suite, but is not bundled with other Office programmes such as Word, Excel and Outlook. Two editions are available: the Standard Edition and the widely used Professional Edition. Both share a common file format, the MPP. They also come in different versions: 2016, 2019 and 2021. If you are unsure which version suits your needs, have a look at our comparison of Microsoft Project 2016 and 2019.

MSP was first launched in 1984, but the first Windows version was released in 1990. The following year, Microsoft developed a version of Project for Mac, but it was quickly discontinued and was no longer sold after 1994. Microsoft Project is not currently compatible with Mac computers, although there are workarounds if you need to run MS Project on macOS.

Microsoft Project Features

Project managers and their teams need many features to manage their work effectively, and Microsoft Project delivers on several fronts. Here is a complete list of the available features:

1. Grid view: A project view used to plan and manage projects with a list of tasks.
2. Board view: A visual Kanban board that helps manage workflow and task status.
3. Timeline view: The traditional Gantt chart used to plan tasks along a project timeline.
4. Communication and collaboration: Different teams can work together on projects.
5. Co-authoring: Stakeholders and team members work together to edit and update task lists and calendars.
6. Reports: Pre-built reports to track progress, resources, programmes and portfolios.
7. Schedule: Monitoring of programmes and project portfolios.
8. Timesheet: Record project and non-project time for payroll and invoicing.
9. Resource management: Request and assign resources to tasks efficiently.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Microsoft Project

Nothing is perfect. Even Microsoft Project has its pitfalls. If you are considering trying it out, take a moment to weigh up the pros and cons:

Advantages

• One of the biggest advantages is that it is a Microsoft product, so it integrates seamlessly with the company's other products — especially Office 365, but also Skype and SharePoint.
• It has a familiar interface, similar to other Microsoft products.
• It has been on the market for decades, and its features have matured considerably over time.
• As a Microsoft product, it benefits from the reliability and support of a well-established company.
• Financial management tools help project managers estimate and track budgets.
• A desktop application, like the one we offer at Licendi, can be licensed outright — ideal for companies that prefer a perpetual licence over a cloud subscription.
• Built-in templates help users get started quickly, saving valuable time.

Disadvantages

• Although Microsoft Project offers a cloud-based option, it has some drawbacks. Even with SharePoint integration, Project in the Cloud encounters significant limitations.
• It can be difficult to learn. A lot of time and effort — sometimes even intensive training — is needed before project managers and their teams feel comfortable with the software, which can delay the implementation phase.
• Files are saved in MPP format, a proprietary format. If collaborators do not use Microsoft Project, they cannot open these files, creating unnecessary hurdles when sharing project documents.

Conclusion

Microsoft Project is a tool that will help you improve productivity across your company's teams by reducing the time normally spent on planning and organising tasks.

You can also combine it with Microsoft Teams to improve communication between team members. There really is no excuse for not finishing your projects on time!

Get the latest version of Microsoft Project 2021 Professional at Licendi, at the best price on the market.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best regards,
The Licendi Team