The primary use case of the solution is for in-house IT projects such as network projects, and system projects.
Engineer at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees
Stable, and scalable, but is complex to deploy
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature of the solution is planning."
- "The licensing cost is expensive and has room for improvement."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature of Microsoft Project is planning.
What needs improvement?
The licensing cost for Microsoft Project is expensive and has room for improvement.
The initial setup is complex and has room for improvement.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for several years.
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Microsoft Project
December 2025
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of Microsoft Project is complex.
The deployment took one day.
What about the implementation team?
The implementation was completed in-house.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The license for Microsoft Project is a one-time payment but it is expensive.
What other advice do I have?
I give the solution a six out of ten.
We have 20 people using the solution in our organization.
Two people are required for the maintenance of the solution including one manager and one engineer.
I recommend the solution to other users.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Senior Manager at a financial services firm with 201-500 employees
Tight integrations with other Microsoft products such as SharePoint and Power Automate
Pros and Cons
- "It is easy to check project costs in the solution."
- "The setup and scalability can be somewhat difficult for new users until they gain knowledge."
What is our primary use case?
Our company uses the solution for project management. We monitor work progress or activities to ensure they are completed. We get a full view of start dates, end dates, and all dependencies required for actions.
We store many things on Teams. We can make objections or put things in SharePoint.
Nine team members in our department use the solution. Previously, we used only on-premises but now we are using both on-premises and the cloud service.
What is most valuable?
The solution is tightly integrated with other Microsoft products such as SharePoint and Power Automate and also integrates with Google.
It is easy to check project costs in the solution.
Notifications provide alerts of new outages so you can move your project as needed.
What needs improvement?
The setup and scalability can be somewhat difficult for new users until they gain knowledge.
Ongoing education would motivate users to learn and take advantage of the solution's many features.
The price could be more flexible.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable so I rate stability a nine out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable.
If you are familiar with Microsoft tools, then it is easy to understand the scalability. If you are a new user, then scaling may be difficult because you have to spend some time understanding Microsoft chronologies first to scale the solution.
How are customer service and support?
I have not used technical support.
How was the initial setup?
When we started working with the solution, the setup was somewhat difficult. Once you gain knowledge, you slowly see that the solution is easy to use.
What about the implementation team?
We implemented the solution in-house.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The licensing model is somewhat complex. Initially, the price is low but scales up because you pay for consumption and usage.
Pricing is okay if you have one or two users. If you add everyone in your company as project managers, then the price is high.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
The solution is better than Jira.
What other advice do I have?
I rate the solution an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Project
December 2025
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Project. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2025.
879,899 professionals have used our research since 2012.
It Officer at a pharma/biotech company with 1,001-5,000 employees
A stable solution that very accurately runs projects
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is well established and runs very accurately."
- "Project availability and speed could always be improved."
What is our primary use case?
Our company uses the solution for a project at our on-premises data center. We have one data room database and one mobile active account.
We have 100 users in our head office who use Microsoft in our database and desktop application. A total of 5,000 employees use their mobile phones while working in the field.
We will soon launch another project in the cloud.
What is most valuable?
The solution is well established and runs very accurately.
The solution is very user friendly so end users are satisfied.
What needs improvement?
Project availability and speed could always be improved. Most of the time, we get the target from the system.
If there is a chance to improve the interface, then it should be implemented. Otherwise, our end users are satisfied with using our own interface.
Reports could be pushed more quickly.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for ten years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable.
How are customer service and support?
We have an internal IT department that handles all support or technical issues. We are experts in our project tools so we smoothly solve all problems.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We did not previously use another solution.
What about the implementation team?
We implemented the solution in-house.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution is less expensive than other options.
What other advice do I have?
I recommend the solution and rate it a ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Project Manager at a consultancy with 51-200 employees
The timeline is integrated seamlessly, but it lacks the ease of use and scalability of a cloud-based tool
Pros and Cons
- "Microsoft Project's integrated timeline is tied to the project plan almost seamlessly, and you add whatever action item or milestone you choose. All you have to do is set up a column and click on the timeline. It will automatically put it in there and allow you to choose the type, whether it's a bar or if it's a milestone, just pointing out that single milestone"
- "Project is not easy to scale. It isn't a cloud-based solution where everybody can utilize it at the same time without version issues when you save your file. We use it at the enterprise level, but you have to share the files to others within your organization through Teams or SharePoint. One improvement would be to transition to cloud-based functionality. However, that might limit the functionality in other ways."
What is our primary use case?
We're using Microsoft Project on multiple tiers to perform inventory optimization, production planning, and purchasing.st built the project a week ago using Microsoft Project from start to finish. We built in all the functionality we have to cover. All the updates, action items, etc., are in there.
In my previous position with a leading 3PL, the provider of our warehouse management system, Blue Yonder, used Project. Nevertheless, it was seamless to integrate a Project file because Smartsheet offers the ability to upload MPP files. But at the same time, we would make changes and adjustments with Project. I'm currently using Microsoft Project for all my projects.
What is most valuable?
Microsoft Project's integrated timeline is tied to the project plan almost seamlessly, and you add whatever action item or milestone you choose. All you have to do is set up a column and click on the timeline. It will automatically put it in there and allow you to choose the type, whether it's a bar or if it's a milestone, just pointing out that single milestone.
What needs improvement?
With Smartsheets, we can easily integrate and allow users outside the company to access our files. We can manage their access directly inside the project plan. I can allow my customers to jump on there to see the project while limiting their access to certain sheets or views. If I want I can allow them to view, edit, or share it.
Microsoft Project has similar functionality, but I can't just give them a link. We have to bring them into using a company server because that's where we have it stored. There are more steps and assigning permissions is more convoluted.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability is generally good, but it's affected by the sharing aspect because you have to utilize OneDrive, Teams, or SharePoint. The stability is heavily tied to how quickly it saves the MPP file. If there's a processing gap when you're saving the project, it'll end up creating another edition. It typically uses your user ID and tags it, but the original will still be there, and it may not have the changes. When you start to use it with additional users, the stability in terms of saving is reduced. It's maybe a five out of 10 for stability in that sense.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Project is not as easy to scale. It isn't a cloud-based solution where everybody can utilize it at the same time without version issues when you save your file. We use it at the enterprise level, but you have to share the files with others within your organization through Teams or SharePoint. One improvement would be to transition to cloud-based functionality. However, that might limit the functionality in other ways.
How are customer service and support?
I haven't used Microsoft support for Project because I have enough experience that I don't need to. However, I have contacted Microsoft support recently to as questions about Excel. You can't pick up a phone and call them. Instead, you initiate a chat session on their website, and they will call you back in some cases.
It may be because Smartsheets doesn't have the same global user base, but their problem-solving is fantastic, whereas Microsoft support seems a little convoluted.
How was the initial setup?
The installation is easy. Setting up a project takes a little bit longer. It's not as intuitive as Smartsheets, but it's relatively easy. You have to have a base knowledge to use either product, but I would rate Smartsheets eight out of 10 for ease of use, while Microsoft Project is maybe five out of 10 because it's not as intuitive.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It depends on the scale, but in some instances, the licensing was around $600 per user.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Microsoft Project seven out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Sr. Project Manager at a legal firm with 201-500 employees
Useful cloud access, reliable, and straightforward implementation
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable features of Microsoft Project are the availability of being online and within Teams. My entire team can use it and see it, versus the full Microsoft Projects, such as Project Professional, you need to have a license."
- "In a future release, the dashboard should improve because there isn't one, I had to create my own."
What is our primary use case?
I am using the Microsoft Project App in Teams and I use it mostly for project scheduling. We don't use it for reports or anything else.
How has it helped my organization?
Microsoft Project has helped improve my organization by providing transparency. Everyone can see what they're assigned and other information.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features of Microsoft Project are the availability of being online and within Teams. My entire team can use it and see it, versus the full Microsoft Projects, such as Project Professional, you need to have a license.
What needs improvement?
All the versions of Microsoft Project could use improvement one way or another, but the specific version that I'm using, the reporting capabilities, and/or being able to link think other projects to it could improve. If I have a portfolio of projects that I'm working on, I want to be able to see a dashboard of all of my projects in one place. I haven't been able to do that in this particular version without using coding or PowerBI or anything similar.
In a future release, the dashboard should improve because there isn't one, I had to create my own.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Project on and off for approximately 20 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability of the Microsoft Project is good.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have not scaled Microsoft Project, it is only our 25-person IT departments using it. We have desktop analysts, project managers, and directors using the solution.
We do plan to roll out Microsoft Project to our business professionals on the business side of the organization, in the next three or four months.
How are customer service and support?
We have not had any issues using the solution to contact the support from Microsoft.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We used LiquidPlanner previously. It was more of a time-keeping tool versus a project management tool. If I only want to build a schedule, I couldn't do that in LiquidPlanner without my team tracking their time.
LiquidPlanner is only good for timekeeping, and I couldn't get my staff to keep their time, it wasn't practical for us. I needed to be able to build a schedule and be able to track it on my own, versus what was done, versus people having to go in and track the time they work on a specific task. Whereas LiquidPlanner doesn't give me the opportunity to build a project plan without using timekeeping.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of the Microsoft Project is straightforward. However, it was a Team's deployment and Microsoft Project is part of that suite. It took us approximately six months for the complete deployment.
What about the implementation team?
We did use a consultant to help us deploy Teams and we were involved too. The consultant has been very helpful, we use them for all kinds of different deployments.
We have two systems analysts who are in charge of keeping Microsoft Teams up updated which includes Microsoft Project.
What was our ROI?
We're managing projects a little bit better, we're a lot more transparent, and Microsoft Project is easier to report on, versus LiquidPlanner, which we spent a lot of money on. We saved all that money not having to use LiquidPlanner.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
You only need a Team's license in order to use Microsoft Project within Teams, which is very helpful.
If an organization already has Teams, they already have access to Microsoft Projects, or at least Microsoft Project Online. There's no reason to buy separate project management software, at least for a smaller company like ours.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We did not evaluate other options. We used what we had, and tried to save money. We already have Microsoft Project, and we decided to use it.
What other advice do I have?
My advice to others would be to do extensive training and tutorials and create QRGs. It's new and not a lot of people know how to use it. Training is the most important.
I rate Microsoft Project an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Senior Global PMO Manager, Project & Portfolio Management Office Manager at a manufacturing company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Improves visibility, offers good integration, and is robust
Pros and Cons
- "The integration between SharePoint and Power BI has been great."
- "We need more integration with Microsoft Teams and other collaboration tools."
What is our primary use case?
We primarily use the solution for portfolio management, project management, and program management. It is also used for reporting to leadership on a portfolio level.
How has it helped my organization?
It gives the enterprise and leadership the visibility of what's going on with their enterprise. It provides visibility to all the projects that are going on within the company.
What is most valuable?
The integration between SharePoint and Power BI has been great.
The stability is good.
You can scale the solution as needed.
What needs improvement?
We need more integration with Microsoft Teams and other collaboration tools.
The product could be more user-friendly in some areas.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've used the solution for a while. I've used it over the last 12 months at least.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability is pretty good. It's easy to use and reliable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution can scale. It can scale for a company that's dealing with a medium-size company dealing with 10 to 20 projects, all the way to the large companies dealing with hundreds of projects it's very scalable.
We've got the technology department using the product. We also have businesses using it as well. We have a total of 100 plus people that are using it today in our company.
The solution is being used extensively. We do have plans on working with a third party to potentially make the solution even more user-friendly.
How are customer service and support?
I haven't used their technical support, however, I've partnered up with Microsoft Partners to come up with potential future solutions.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Before Microsoft Project Online, we just used Microsoft Project Desktop and we utilized Microsoft SharePoint to create lists in order to create portfolio trackers and project trackers that way. We needed a more robust solution that can track risk management, budgetary prioritization, et cetera. Microsoft Project does that for us.
How was the initial setup?
The setup can be both complex and easy. I'd rate it 3.5 out of five, with five being an easy setup.
Deployment involves usually implementing the new tools and then adopting and having people use it. Implementation took about three months and then the adoption took another six to eight to nine months of training and making sure people use the tool.
We have admins and that's one or two folks that can handle any maintenance requirements. It's not a high-maintenance product.
What about the implementation team?
We had a consultant assist us with the implementation.
What was our ROI?
We've seen an ROI from the aspect of efficiencies and having information in one central location. We've cut time in reporting. We've cut time in the administration portion as well, of setting up projects so there's been efficiency. We hope the ROI might expand as we use it more.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I'm not aware of what the licensing costs are. There might be extra costs associated with maintenance.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
While it is my understanding that we did look at other solutions, I was not part of that tendering process. I don't know which ones were vetted.
What other advice do I have?
We're a customer and end-user.
I'd advise potential new users to make sure they select a tool that will be useful to the end-user. This tool is really catered to project managers, while the majority of the folks who are executing projects are not what I call professional project managers.
I'd rate the solution eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Private Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Sr Project Manager at a energy/utilities company with 10,001+ employees
Powerful, useful critical path creations, and scalable
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable features of Microsoft Project are you can create critical paths pretty easily, and you can import from an Excel spreadsheet to your task list as you create it during your working sessions with your team."
- "Microsoft Project could improve the interface, it should be more intuitive. It could be adjusted a little bit to make it a little easier to use and more user-friendly. It is a very powerful tool and it takes people a while to get used to it."
What is our primary use case?
We use Microsoft Project for creating the implementation projects for IT, such as anything from infrastructure through application deployments. In the current project, we are using it for the cybersecurity measures that we're implementing.
How has it helped my organization?
Microsoft Project has helped our organization by tracking the capabilities of when we can deliver a solution.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features of Microsoft Project are you can create critical paths pretty easily, and you can import from an Excel spreadsheet to your task list as you create it during your working sessions with your team.
What needs improvement?
Microsoft Project could improve the interface, it should be more intuitive. It could be adjusted a little bit to make it a little easier to use and more user-friendly. It is a very powerful tool and it takes people a while to get used to it.
I have found that when you're saving your project plans to a SharePoint site it does not work well. I am not able to check it out and check it in as I would on the Microsoft Project's server. If you have multiple people trying to edit tasks in the project plan for the completion or status, it doesn't give you abilities to check the project in and out. It limits who makes changes to a project plan if multiple people are trying to do it at the same time. You can potentially overwrite someone else saved changes. There is not a lock on changes to the project plan. If I'm trying to change something, it's whoever saves first, then the changes go in. If you're working and extensively updating a lot of things in the project plan, then somebody else comes in and updates one line, they could potentially override everything that you've changed.
There are some accessibility issues that could be fixed.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Project for approximately 15 years.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Microsoft Project is scalable. I've used it in the server mode where I ran multiple projects under a program, which were very large project plans with up to 1,000 lines, and I didn't have any problems with performance or managing projects.
We have approximately 1,000 users using this solution in my organization. They are typically project managers.
We are using Microsoft Project extensively on some projects. However, it depends on the type of project, it doesn't lend itself well to non Waterfall type activities.
How are customer service and support?
I have not contacted the technical support.
How was the initial setup?
Our IT department handles the deployment of the solution. I can tweak it on a per-project basis. However, the implementation or installation of the software is done quickly.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
My organization is pushing to move to the Jira platform or to use Scrum instead of Waterfall.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend others to buy a Microsoft Project book that has tips, and a lot of them have templates for different types of projects.
I rate Microsoft Project a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Strategic Consultant at a government with 10,001+ employees
Good reporting and scalable
Pros and Cons
- "The reporting and national resource capacity planning are the most valuable features."
- "The collaboration has room for improvement."
What is our primary use case?
I use the solution for scheduling and planning.
How has it helped my organization?
The solution helps us stay on track with our project and insures we meet our deliverables and requirements.
What is most valuable?
The reporting and national resource capacity planning are the most valuable features.
What needs improvement?
The collaboration has room for improvement.
I would like to request the addition of risk management and financial management to the solution.
The cost has room for improvement.
The initial setup has room for improvement.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for ten years.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I give the scalability an eight.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is complex.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution is expensive.
What other advice do I have?
I give the solution an eight out of ten.
I recommend the solution.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
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