We primarily use the solution for the project management software. I create plans with it. It's a tool like Excel that we use for project planning.
Technical Project Manager at a comms service provider with 1,001-5,000 employees
Great features but can be buggy and needs a better user interface
Pros and Cons
- "There are a few bugs that can affect the stability. This is typical of most applications."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
I use all of the features that are there. There are quite a few that are very helpful.
It makes it easier for me to project manage.
What needs improvement?
I haven't thought of what are the qualities of the features and how can they be changed or improved. It basically has everything I need.
There are a few bugs that can affect the stability. This is typical of most applications.
The solution does not have a mobile version at this time.
The user interface and how fast you can find tools to make a schedule, to build up a team, to come up with tasks, et cetera, could be improved. The framework of accessibility is a bit complicated. It could be simplified.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We have come across the occasional bug or glitch. It can affect stability. However, it's pretty typical to come across bugs in applications. Sometimes Microsoft can crash.
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Microsoft Project
November 2024
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816,660 professionals have used our research since 2012.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is an application. The aspect of scalability doesn't apply in the context of the product.
I'm not sure how many people are using it in our organization at this time.
I'm not sure if there are plans to increase usage in the future. I basically just use it myself for more projects.
How are customer service and support?
I"ve never actually used Microsoft's technical support. I wouldn't be able to speak on how helpful or responsive they are, as I don't have any personal experience to discuss.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I don't have any knowledge of the overall costs of the solution. It's not an aspect that I handle directly.
What other advice do I have?
We're working with the solution's latest version. However, I'm unsure of which version number we're using.
I'm not sure of the deployment model. It's more of an application than anything cloud-based.
Overall, I would rate the solution at a six out of ten overall. It's a cool type of tool, however, there are some improvements that can be made to make it better. It could be simplified.
The best thing before asking these questions is to go through the UI. It helps you to have a picture of what the tool does.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Sr. Enterprise & Project Portfolio Manager/Consultant, Master Scheduler, Enterprise Architect at Jeffrey A. Bloom
Dependencies and well-constructed templates help to mitigate challenges in our projects
Pros and Cons
- "Dependencies (not typically effectively used in "Agile" techniques) allow understanding of actual project status and challenges."
- "This solution needs more templates focused on types of projects to ease setup."
What is our primary use case?
We use this solution with CA Clarity PPM.
How has it helped my organization?
With well-constructed templates that include milestones that allow upper management to effectively measure progress, the dependencies between project and external activities that often diminish project success can be mitigated.
What is most valuable?
Dependencies (not typically effectively used in "Agile" techniques) allow understanding of actual project status and challenges.
What needs improvement?
This solution needs more templates focused on types of projects to ease setup.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using this solution for thirty years.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Project
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Project. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
816,660 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Senior Consultant, Financial Services - IT Advisory Services at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees
There needs to be better integration with other Microsoft products. Tech support needs improvement.
Pros and Cons
- "They have begun to improve with the new cloud integration."
- "There needs to be better integration with other Microsoft products such as SharePoint, and the like."
- "Tech support needs improvement."
What is our primary use case?
They have moved from a paper to a project management tool. That's the big change. Earlier, they were using papers and then they started using Project Professional to run their project server, it's a huge change and a huge transition.
What needs improvement?
I think they've begun to improve with the new cloud integration. Previously, this was an issue. Now, I don't think there are any further changes that need to be done for the cloud issue.
There needs to be better integration between SharePoint and other Microsoft platforms and this solution. Furthermore, there should be a better integration with the use of the cloud and mobile devices.
For how long have I used the solution?
One to three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
For individual users, I don't think there is a stability issue. I've not really seen any performance issue with that.
How is customer service and technical support?
The tech support needs improvement.
How was the initial setup?
The setup was straightforward. It took us about three hours to do so.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I do not have personal experience with pricing or licensing of this product.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Sr. Project Manager
Provides the ability to break down project phases and is easy to set up and reliable
Pros and Cons
- "The ability to break down project phases is most valuable. Being able to align the tasks and reporting with project milestones and progress is also valuable."
- "Its price can be improved."
What is our primary use case?
We use it to manage our portfolio of projects. We use it to monitor, control, and update the status of each project, which includes our vendor projects and internal projects.
What is most valuable?
The ability to break down project phases is most valuable. Being able to align the tasks and reporting with project milestones and progress is also valuable.
What needs improvement?
Its price can be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for eight years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is stable and reliable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is medium in terms of scalability. We have approximately 50 people who use this solution.
How are customer service and technical support?
Their technical support is great.
How was the initial setup?
Its initial setup is simple.
What about the implementation team?
It was implemented internally. In terms of deployment and maintenance, a single resource can handle its maintenance, main configuration, and setup.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Its price could be reduced a little.
What other advice do I have?
I would advise others to concentrate on the culture and skillset of their team before implementing a project management tool.
I would recommend this solution to others. I would rate Microsoft Project an eight out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
IT Project Manager at a transportation company with 501-1,000 employees
Good technical support with very helpful roadmap functionality and reliable stability
Pros and Cons
- "Technical support has been very helpful."
- "We'd like to be able to see different timelines as a part of one task."
What is most valuable?
The roadmap functionality is very nice. All the dependencies and timelines are there.
The board mode and the list of tasks are very handy to have in front of me. It looks very similar to a Trello board. It's very easy to navigate and understand.
The stability is very good.
Technical support has been very helpful.
What needs improvement?
I'd like to have few more specific features, however, it's possible that Microsoft will decide to implement and deploy them in the future.
It would be nice, for example, if we have stages of the project, to have some tasks that can be split. We'd like to be able to see different timelines as a part of one task.
I'd like to see the dependency of one task but split into a few parts. I'm mostly working with infrastructure projects in the company. Sometimes I have to stop the implementation of one part of the project due to various reasons, and I have to switch to another task. I have to see the stage and stop and show in another part I'm taking in the work. I'm not stopping the project. I'm just switching tasks and I have to see when I can continue the previous response. I need to see that the one task continuing, but not all the time. Right now, the organization is done mostly in my head, however, it would be ideal if I could visualize it with adjusted timelines.
For how long have I used the solution?
We just started using the solution a few months ago. We're still in the testing phase and haven't fully decided on what were are going to go forward with.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We didn't have any problems with the product. It's very stable. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze. It works great.
How are customer service and technical support?
We had contact with technical support on another project and had questions about our migration between two tenants. We talked directly to support and it was quite helpful to use them to get advice and assistance. We had a nice experience overall.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We've worked with Zoho One in the past, as well as a few other premium CRM providers. We were working on a full complex solution for our office that was a CRM with different other solutions. It was for complicated projects, however, we decided to switch to another software.
We are using currently using Office 365 and additional applications from Office 365 such as Branches, Project, and Power BI. We decided to have all the complex solutions from one company that offers connected applications, rather than just choose all different software without the basic platform from which we can connect. That's why we chose Microsoft Project.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We have three licenses. Three people have an opportunity to make projects, and two people are included in the project so they can see the timeline, the board, the task. They're quite happy with what they see in terms of being able to watch over the project.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
While we're likely to use Microsoft, we're also looking at Jira, Confluence, and Trello.
What other advice do I have?
We're customers and end-users of the solution.
While we are currently using the cloud as we test things out, it's possible, once we make a concrete decision about Microsoft, that we will switch to an on-premises deployment.
Currently, I'd rate the solution at an eight out of ten simply due to the fact that I don't know all the opportunities it offers us just yet. We haven't been using it for so long and need some more time to discover all the features on offer.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Sr. Account Manager at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Fast, simple to use, and easy to set up
Pros and Cons
- "It has a nice interface that aligns with Excel and Word."
- "When moving resources between projects, it could be a bit more clear."
What is our primary use case?
We primarily use the product as a tracking tool. It's project management software.
How has it helped my organization?
It helps us track ongoing projects in our organization.
What is most valuable?
The reporting features are quite useful.
It's a very fast product.
We find it very simple to use. It has a nice interface that aligns with Excel and Word.
The product has an easy initial setup process.
The solution is stable.
What needs improvement?
When moving resources between projects, it could be a bit more clear. For example, Primavera has a very nice, intuitive approach.
The scalability may be limited.
We'd like the solution to be cheaper.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for ten years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution has been quite stable and reliable. There aren't bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability is limited. You may need a special enterprise license to scale up a lot. What we have is fixed and limited.
We have three to ten users at this time.
We may increase usage depending on our upcoming needs.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support is helpful. We tend to use chat or email if we need help. They're pretty responsive.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We've only used Microsoft. We have not tried other solutions.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is very simple and quite straightforward.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The cost is moderate. It's a bit costly.
What other advice do I have?
We're Microsoft users, not partners.
I'd rate the solution eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Unemployed at a healthcare company with 501-1,000 employees
Pretty user-friendly, good stability, and easy to set up
Pros and Cons
- "It served the purpose. It was pretty user-friendly."
- "I am not that close to it anymore, but I know that there were some cut and paste issues when we were trying to move one group of roles to another, and they used to muck up the interdependencies between the tiers, rows, and other things."
What is our primary use case?
We used it in my previous organization for business process optimization projects, application development projects, system integration projects, program management over a multitude of projects, and program interdependencies.
What is most valuable?
It served the purpose. It was pretty user-friendly.
What needs improvement?
I am not that close to it anymore, but I know that there were some cut and paste issues when we were trying to move one group of roles to another, and they used to muck up the interdependencies between the tiers, rows, and other things.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Project since it was first introduced.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It was pretty good in terms of stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
While integrating on one server, sometimes, there was a challenge. When you were leveraging the server aggregation tool, where you had everything, and you were integrating on one server to have the plans integrated for interdependencies, there was a constraint. I can't remember what it was.
A lot of Microsoft products are very Microsoft friendly, but they don't integrate well with a lot of other things. They fail in the extensibility model in the architecture design.
In terms of the number of users, we probably had about 200 or 300 people who were using Microsoft Project. In my past companies, I've had 700 people using them.
How are customer service and technical support?
I never used the tech support for Microsoft Project.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have used HP's PPM. There were two other tools that I have used.
How was the initial setup?
It was pretty straightforward. Essentially, you should have taken classes in it and worked with it in order to understand some of the nuances of it. It can have a little bit of a learning curve.
What other advice do I have?
I would advise others to look at what they have on the market because, with the advent of the cloud, so many different types of tools are coming into play that can integrate with other cost analysis platforms.
I would rate Microsoft Project an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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