Microsoft Power Automate: features, use cases and plans
October 24, 2026Microsoft Visio: features, use cases and plans
October 24, 2026
Microsoft product guide
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Project is Microsoft’s tool for planning larger projects with schedules, dependencies and resources. Today it comes as part of Planner and Project Plan 3, which includes the Project desktop client.
- Best for: project managers running multi-step schedules
- Where it runs: web and the Project desktop client
- Sold as: Planner and Project Plan 3
- Sibling tool: Planner Plan 1 for lighter planning
What Project does for your business
The features clients ask about most, with an example of each in daily use.
Gantt-style scheduling
Plan tasks over time with start dates, durations and dependencies. In practice: A fit-out project shows that painting cannot start until drywall is complete.
Dependencies and critical path
See which tasks drive the finish date. In practice: Find out that a late permit delays the whole opening.
Resource management
Assign people and see who is overbooked. In practice: Notice that one engineer is allocated at 150% next month.
Roadmaps
Combine several projects in one visual roadmap for leadership. In practice: A quarterly roadmap for all client implementations.
Desktop and web editing
Use the Project desktop client for detailed scheduling and the web for team updates. In practice: Project managers plan on desktop while team members update progress in a browser.
Copilot
Help create plans and summarize status. Requires the Copilot add-on. In practice: Ask for a draft plan for a website launch and adjust it.
Which plans include Project
Project is sold as Planner and Project Plan 3. Planner Plan 1 is a lighter, browser-only option for teams that do not need the desktop client.
| Plan | Project version | Listing |
|---|---|---|
| Planner and Project Plan 3 Includes the Project desktop client | Web and desktop | View listing |
| Planner Plan 1 Browser-only premium Planner | Web only | View listing |
Variants of these plans without Teams, and Non-Profit and Education versions, are also available. Ask us and we will point you to the right one.
For IT buyers
Licensing and deployment notes
- Plan options: Plan 3 covers scheduling and resource management. Portfolio and demand management require Plan 5. Ask us about Plan 5 availability.
- Desktop client: The Project desktop client runs on Windows and is included in the licence for the licensed user.
- Project Online: Project Online has been replaced by Planner and Project Plan 3 and 5. Plan migrations for older projects.
- Collaboration: Team members who only update tasks can often use basic Planner instead of a paid Project licence.
- Data location: Plans are stored in Dataverse. Review environment and capacity settings.
- Integration: Teams, Power BI and Power Automate can be used for reporting and notifications.
Not sure which plan fits your team?
Tell us how many people need Project and what they use it for, and we will recommend a plan.
Disclaimer: Microsoft may change features, pricing, plans or packaging at any time. Details here are a guide, not an offer; confirm current details on the listing or with us before you buy.
