Microsoft understands that challenge administration is a essential perform of many organizations. That’s why there are such a lot of Microsoft challenge administration software program. However what’s the proper Microsoft challenge administration device to your group? The query might make you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Don’t fear, we’ve examined the top-10 Microsoft challenge administration instruments to assist customers discover the best match for his or her group and initiatives. Nonetheless, regardless of Microsoft being a revered identify within the house, Microsoft challenge administration software program is notoriously costly, troublesome to make use of and never collaborative, which is why we additionally function a challenge administration software program various.
Why Are There So Many Microsoft Undertaking Administration Software program Alternate options?
Microsoft is understood for giving its customers alternative, however that isn’t at all times for the most effective. Consider their subscription plans. It can provide you a headache. The identical is true for the number of Microsoft challenge administration instruments they provide. An excessive amount of alternative might be paralyzing.
Nonetheless, in Microsoft’s protection, their merchandise tackle numerous wants and preferences throughout completely different industries. Every of the Microsoft challenge administration instruments that we’ll be reviewing has its distinctive options, strengths and weaknesses.
There may be Microsoft challenge administration software program that speaks to completely different use circumstances as challenge administration wants can differ. There’s additionally the truth that these instruments are designed to combine and work collectively throughout your entire Microsoft challenge line. That restricts a consumer to Microsoft instruments, however for a lot of who’re acquainted with them, it’s a plus.
Sadly, having to buy subscriptions to Microsoft challenge administration software program is pricey and the extra instruments one subscribes to, the costlier it will get. Why wouldn’t customers select an all-in-one, easy-to-use and collaborative challenge administration software program over problematic Microsoft challenge administration instruments?
ProjectManager is award-winning challenge and portfolio administration software program that’s inexpensive, extra user-friendly and extra collaborative than Microsoft challenge administration software program. Somewhat than purchase many Microsoft challenge administration instruments, our software program has a number of challenge views, from Gantt charts that routinely replace, hyperlink all 4 sorts of job dependencies, filter for the essential path and might set a baseline to trace challenge variance in actual time. Plus, there are kanban boards, calendars, job lists and extra. They can be utilized on any system with an web connection, even Mac computer systems or iOS and Android cell units. Microsoft can’t collaborate like that. Get began with ProjectManager as we speak free of charge.
10 High Microsoft Undertaking Administration Software program
Earlier than deciding on the most effective Microsoft challenge administration various, we have to look nearer on the professionals and cons of all the assorted Microsoft challenge administration instruments in the marketplace. There are quite a bit. Let’s begin with some of the common and business favorites after which we’ll tackle extra specialised Microsoft challenge administration instruments.
1. Microsoft Undertaking Normal
Microsoft Undertaking Normal is a desktop challenge administration software program that has instruments for planning, executing and monitoring initiatives. It’s finest for people managing initiatives or small groups. Among the options which can be included on this Microsoft challenge administration device embody Gantt charts and useful resource administration instruments, resembling useful resource allocation and resource-leveling. There’s additionally value monitoring and a baseline for budgets and price administration. Customers can generate custom-made studies to suit particular wants. It additionally integrates with Microsoft Workplace and different Microsoft merchandise.
Associated: Finest Microsoft Undertaking Alternate options: Free & Paid Choices
This Microsoft challenge administration software program appears complete, nevertheless it has its limitations. For one, it’s solely a desktop utility. There’s no cloud-based entry, that means the Microsoft challenge administration device is caught within the workplace irrespective of the place the challenge work is perhaps. Due to this fact, it’s not a collaboration device. It lacks collaborative options and doesn’t present real-time updates. That makes it more durable for groups to work collectively successfully and effectively, whereas managers shall be annoyed with previous information that can hinder the effectiveness of their challenge planning and decision-making.
2. Microsoft Undertaking Skilled
Microsoft Undertaking Skilled is a step up from Normal, with extra superior options designed for skilled challenge managers and bigger groups. Along with the options of Normal, it has collaborative instruments, resembling real-time collaboration and integrates with Microsoft Undertaking Server and Undertaking On-line (extra about these later). It may handle assets throughout a number of initiatives and has extra refined reporting choices, together with dashboards. With Undertaking On-line, this Microsoft challenge administration software program might be accessed from anyplace.
Associated: Microsoft Undertaking vs. ProjectManager
Sure, this Microsoft challenge administration device is extra highly effective than Normal, however that comes at a excessive value. It’s considerably costlier. As Microsoft challenge administration instruments go, it additionally has a steeper studying curve. Its complexity, resembling extra options and functionalities, creates difficulties for customers, whether or not they’re newcomers to challenge administration or seasoned professionals. Whereas the web connection is actually a plus, the truth that there’s restricted offline entry could be a detriment to some groups. Even the options have shortcomings. The Gantt chart, for instance, can’t hyperlink all 4 sorts of job dependencies.
3. Microsoft Undertaking for the Internet
One other variant of Microsoft challenge administration software program is Microsoft Undertaking for the Internet. Not like Normal, it is a cloud-based challenge administration software program. It’s a part of the Microsoft 365 suite and has challenge planning, collaboration and monitoring options which can be less complicated and extra accessible than different Microsoft challenge administration instruments. It’s extra user-friendly than different Microsoft challenge administration instruments. There are job administration options, together with job boards and timelines. As a result of it’s a part of MS 365 it integrates with Groups, Outlook, SharePoint and others.
Due to this Microsoft challenge administration device’s simplicity and accessibility, it suffers from restricted superior options. There’s simply much less performance in comparison with Skilled, missing superior options resembling useful resource administration and a few reporting capabilities. Customization can also be an issue as there are fewer choices for views and studies. Then, there are additionally value issues. Whereas marketed as a extra streamlined Microsoft challenge administration software program, it nonetheless requires an MS 365 subscription. That further value, particularly when contemplating a number of licenses, can break a company’s software program funds.
4. Microsoft Undertaking On-line
Microsoft Undertaking On-line is one other workaround to create a Microsoft challenge administration software program that’s collaborative. This challenge and portfolio administration software program can also be a part of the MS 365 suite of software program and integrates with Microsoft Undertaking for the Internet and Microsoft Undertaking Skilled. The portfolio administration options is perhaps the most important distinction between this and different Microsoft challenge administration instruments. It may prioritize and align initiatives with organizational targets. There’s a customizable dashboard and useful resource administration instruments that allocate assets throughout a number of initiatives, optimize useful resource utilization and monitor useful resource availability.
Associated: Microsoft Undertaking On-line: Professionals, Cons and Finest Alternate options
Once more, Microsoft challenge administration instruments can’t appear to make a user-friendly interface. That’s true right here as effectively. Superior challenge monitoring options don’t come with out such complexity that they’re exhausting to be taught, even for individuals who’ve been managing huge initiatives for years and that’d doubly so for individuals who will not be acquainted with challenge administration software program. Then add the fee. Customers are paying a premium and that’s compounded by the variety of customers who want a subscription. The prices get prohibitive shortly. That is very true for smaller groups, who received’t wish to carry the fee or want the additional bells and whistles.
5. Microsoft Undertaking Server
One of many points with Microsoft challenge administration software program is the number of decisions that may make it troublesome to know which is the best device for a company. Working example, Microsoft Undertaking Server. This enterprise-level Microsoft challenge administration device works with Microsoft Undertaking Skilled and Microsoft Undertaking On-line. It’s made for large-scale initiatives and portfolios, with useful resource administration and enterprise-wide challenge coordination. It’s deployed on premises or by hybrid fashions, integrating with different MS applied sciences.
No shock, the worth tag for this Microsoft challenge administration software program is pricey. The fee comes from not solely the software program licensing, however the infrastructure wanted to deploy and keep it. To not sound like a damaged document, however Microsoft isn’t recognized for its ease of use. That’s true with all Microsoft challenge administration instruments, together with this one. It’s exhausting to arrange and use. Anticipate to put money into vital coaching. Organizations will even have to have substantial IT infrastructure, which is useful resource intensive. On prime of all that, there’s restricted cell entry in comparison with cloud-based options, which ends up in much less flexibility when it comes to cell entry and distant work capabilities.
6. Microsoft Planner
Extra a job administration device than a Microsoft challenge administration software program, Microsoft Planner is a part of the MS 365 suite. It’s used to assist groups set up their work, collaborate on duties and monitor progress, which makes it appropriate for extra primary challenge administration. There are job boards that permit customers to create, assign and monitor duties. Collaboration comes from integration with Microsoft Groups, the place groups can share duties, recordsdata and talk with one another. Some charts visually present information on progress and monitor job standing and total challenge progress. Not like many different Microsoft challenge administration instruments, this one is pretty simple to make use of.
Associated: Microsoft Planner: Professionals, Cons and Alternate options
That ease of use comes at a value. The Microsoft challenge administration software program lacks superior options. There’s no detailed reporting or useful resource administration. Customization can also be weak, which received’t work with extra advanced initiatives. The Gantt charts aren’t as much as the performance challenge managers anticipate. These are foundational challenge administration instruments utilized in nearly each challenge to schedule, plan and monitor duties, assets, prices and extra. Add to that, there’s no time monitoring and restricted help for job dependencies and challenge scheduling. The reality is, this Microsoft challenge administration device is ok for easy, small initiatives that one may do round the home, however for bigger, extra intricate initiatives it’s out of its league.
7. Microsoft Groups
Microsoft Groups is extra a part of a set of Microsoft challenge administration instruments than a standalone challenge administration software program. It’s a collaborative utility that facilitates communication between the challenge crew. Once more, this Microsoft challenge administration software program is a part of MS 365 and gives a centralized hub for chat, video conferences and file sharing. It’s very best for collaborating on a challenge and even job administration to a level because it integrates with Microsoft Planner and Microsoft To Do. The Microsoft challenge administration device permits customers to create channels to raised set up conversations by subject, challenge, division, and so on.
Associated: What Is Microsoft Groups? Makes use of, Plans, Options & Pricing
The draw back is {that a} consumer considering challenge administration has to purchase instruments a la carte. This Microsoft challenge administration device is however one element of a whole challenge administration software program answer. That may get costly. Sure, it will possibly do primary job administration, however once more solely when built-in with one other Microsoft challenge administration software program. Then there’s the complexity of what must be a easy utility to make use of. However we’re speaking about Microsoft challenge administration instruments in order that’s a given. Plus, these notifications can overwhelm a consumer.
8. Microsoft To-Do
For job administration, Microsoft To-Do is a superb Microsoft challenge administration device for organizing private {and professional} work. There are easy job lists the place due dates might be added in addition to notes. Lists might be custom-made and categorized for higher group and classification. Reminders might be set to maintain customers targeted on their duties and impending deadlines. It’s a nice collaborative platform as effectively, permitting customers to share lists with different crew members.
It’s a user-friendly Microsoft challenge administration software program, however very restricted. Its primary performance is that of a job administration device, however even at that it lacks superior options, resembling Gantt charts, useful resource administration and reporting instruments. Don’t hassle utilizing it for advanced job dependencies or intricate challenge timelines. Whereas collaborative, it falls quick right here as effectively. Add to that the absence of time monitoring and groups on the lookout for a device to handle initiatives shall be shortly trying elsewhere.
9. Microsoft Lists
One other Microsoft challenge administration device for organizing, monitoring and managing duties is Microsoft Lists. It’s a part of MS 365 and can be utilized for challenge administration, stock monitoring and difficulty monitoring. What this Microsoft challenge administration software program can do is create customized lists with numerous sorts of columns. Some templates can be utilized for challenge and occasion planning in addition to asset administration. Customers can filter and kind to prepare and handle listing information. Repetitive duties and workflows might be automated for better effectivity. Collaborative options embody having the ability to share lists and handle permissions for viewing or modifying. Plus, alerts might be set as much as notify customers of modifications or updates to duties.
Associated: What Is Microsoft Lists? Makes use of, Options and Pricing
Calling this Microsoft challenge administration software program, although, is a little bit of a stretch. There aren’t any Gantt charts, useful resource administration and even superior job administration options, resembling job dependencies. Complicated initiatives will not be going to be effectively served by this device, particularly with out time monitoring, restricted reporting and analytics. One would suppose a primary performance utility like this could be simple to make use of, however we’re speaking about Microsoft. Listing creation is easy, however utilizing superior options and integrations is difficult and can take time to be taught.
10. Microsoft Excel
Whereas most professionals wouldn’t contemplate Microsoft Excel a Microsoft challenge administration software program, a surprisingly giant variety of organizations use it to handle their initiatives. This spreadsheet utility performs advanced calculations, can create charts and set up information effectively. Due to this flexibility and its options, plus the truth that most firms most likely have already got a subscription to MS Workplace or MS 365, it’s not a shock that this device, which isn’t particularly designed for challenge administration, is used as a Microsoft challenge administration device.
Most companies will transition from Excel to an actual Microsoft challenge administration device or different challenge administration software program once they hit one of many spreadsheet’s many limitations. Whereas Excel has collaborative options, they fall in need of these present in challenge administration software program. For instance, real-time collaboration and model management aren’t as sturdy. Excel has been criticized for the chance of information corruption, which isn’t one thing a challenge supervisor desires to fret about.
The spreadsheet is a poor Microsoft challenge administration device for coping with giant information units, as it will possibly grow to be sluggish and even crash, so giant initiatives shall be problematic. There’s the ordeal of constructing Gantt charts on Excel, that are time-consuming and troublesome to do, plus they don’t have the options challenge managers need, resembling job dependencies or useful resource administration.
The way to Open & Edit Microsoft Undertaking Recordsdata Utilizing ProjectManager
In case your crew remains to be utilizing Microsoft challenge administration merchandise, you may really feel annoyed by all of their shortcomings. Fortunately, there’s a workaround for individuals who wish to use challenge administration software program like ProjectManager to view and edit MS Undertaking recordsdata. Observe the beneath walkthrough to handle MPP recordsdata in your ProjectManager account.
1. Begin a Free Trial
Make sure to enroll in a free 30-day trial of our software program, no strings connected! Our pricing web page has all the choices and all plans present Microsoft Undertaking compatibility.
2. Import MPP Recordsdata Into ProjectManager on the Gantt Chart View
Now that your account is created, toggle to the Gantt chart view. Alongside the highest of the Gantt ribbon, you’ll see an “Import” icon.
3. Choose the MPP File You Need to Import
Observe the immediate that seems on the popup window to pick the Microsoft Undertaking file you wish to import.
4. Select Your MPP File Import Choices
One other popup menu will seem the place you’ll be able to resolve if you wish to import the info into a brand new or present challenge.
5. Import All Knowledge or Simply the Activity Listing
Choose from the following popup menu whether or not you wish to import all the information on the MPP file or solely the duties.
6. Shut the Success Immediate
If a brand new window pops up saying “Success,” you’ve efficiently imported the MPP file into our challenge administration software program. Now you can view the challenge within the Gantt chart or use one other challenge view.
ProjectManager Is a Higher Undertaking Administration Software program
Microsoft challenge administration instruments have their benefits and downsides. However challenge groups on the lookout for a competitively priced, simpler and all-in-one challenge administration answer are certain to be annoyed by the myriad subscription tiers, expense and complexity related to Microsoft challenge administration software program.
ProjectManager is award-winning challenge and portfolio administration software program that’s the go-to device most popular by challenge managers and their groups. Even those that are wedded to Microsoft challenge administration instruments due to their group use our software program to import and export Microsoft Undertaking recordsdata whether or not to keep away from the dearth of collaboration, the flexibleness of our cell app or as a result of they use Apple merchandise, which Microsoft doesn’t help however we do. However that’s solely the beginning of the advantages of shifting from a Microsoft challenge administration device to our software program.
Strong Useful resource Planning Options
As a result of our device has real-time connectivity to groups and progress, challenge managers can plan assets and monitor them all through the challenge’s life cycle. This begins when onboarding crew members to the challenge. Undertaking managers can set the supply of the crew, from PTO and trip time to world holidays. This makes it simpler to assign crew members to duties. Each human and nonhuman assets might be deliberate on the Gantt chart after which tracked on the crew web page or color-coded workload chart. This enables challenge managers to see at a look who’s overallocated or underutilized and stability the crew’s workload proper from these pages to maintain them working at capability and staying productive.
Actual-Time Price, Time and Price Knowledge Undertaking Dashboards
Different options monitor assets and extra in actual time. For instance, our safe timesheets streamline the payroll course of, however in addition they present visibility into labor prices to assist hold initiatives on funds. For a high-level overview of key efficiency metrics (KPIs), use the real-time challenge or portfolio dashboard. It routinely collects stay information and shows it on easy-to-read graphs and charts that monitor value, time, workload and extra. To get deeper into the info, there are customizable studies on challenge and portfolio standing, variance, workload and timesheets, to call just a few. They are often filtered to point out normal progress after which shared with stakeholders to maintain them up to date.
Associated Content material on Microsoft Undertaking Administration Instruments
For these nonetheless unconvinced that ProjectManager beat Microsoft challenge administration software program, many informative posts spherical up the most effective Microsoft Undertaking alternate options in addition to evaluating our software program to different Microsoft challenge administration instruments.
ProjectManager is on-line challenge and portfolio administration software program that connects groups whether or not they’re within the workplace or out within the area. They’ll share recordsdata, remark on the job stage and keep up to date with e-mail and in-app notifications. Be a part of groups at Avis, Nestle and Siemens who use our software program to ship profitable initiatives. Get began with ProjectManager as we speak free of charge.