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Microsoft Project

Category: Office 365 Productivity and Business Software Audience: Faculty Researchers Staff
Microsoft Project is a project management software application that allows users to delegate and track tasks as well as set budgets and timelines. The web version of Project allows both Windows and Mac users to work virtually anywhere, anytime. It is designed to assist project managers, teams and organizations in planning, executing and tracking projects effectively.

Welcome to Microsoft Project

Planner and Project Plan 3 and Planner and Project Plan 5 both include Project Online and the desktop client (for Windows only). Planner and Project Plan 3 is typically the preferred option. Compare the differences between the two options. 

The cost for Planner and Project Plan 3 is $67.89 per year. The cost for Planner and Project Plan 5 is $124.96 per year. Licenses are available for purchase by full-time faculty, staff, POIs and sponsored users. Students are not eligible to purchase Microsoft Project because of licensing restrictions. 

Task and Resource Management:

  • Task Tracking: Create, assign, and track tasks within your project.
  • Resource Allocation: Efficiently allocate resources (people, equipment, etc.) to tasks.
  • Resource Workload: Monitor resource workloads to prevent overallocation.

Gantt Charts:

  • Visualize Schedules: Use Gantt charts to visualize project timelines, dependencies, and milestones.
  • Drag-and-Drop Editing: Easily adjust task durations and dependencies.

Collaboration Tools:

  • Microsoft Teams Integration: Collaborate seamlessly with team members using chat, file sharing, and meetings.
  • Simultaneous Task Updates: Multiple team members can update tasks simultaneously.

Budget Management:

  • Cost Tracking: Monitor project costs and expenses.
  • Budgeting: Set and manage project budgets.

Business Intelligence (BI):

  • Interactive Dashboards: Create dynamic dashboards using Power BI for overall project status and detailed insights.
  • Drill-Down Views: Analyze project data at various levels.

Customization and Automation:

  • Flexible Platform: Build custom desktop or mobile experiences tailored to your needs.
  • Automated Workflows: Create workflows to streamline repetitive tasks.

To Request a License

Training Resources

Getting Started

How to Access Microsoft Project

  • On the Web: Launch and bookmark Microsoft Project at project.microsoft.com. Or navigate to the app from outlook.office.com and select Project in the app launcher at the top left. 
  • Desktop Application for PCs: Visit portal.office.com/account/ and sign in with your university email address and password. Click on View Apps and Devices and select Install Project.  

Online Resources

Project Standard and Project Professional is available to purchase by emailing colorado@insight.com. After completing your purchase, you will receive a license proof. Please email the OIT Service Desk with your computer name and the attached license proof. The software will then be deployed to your device.

For additional assistance downloading or accessing the software, please contact the OIT Service Desk.

Frequently Asked Questions

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