As a result, this provides a cheaper alternative to Project, which requires a separate license for each team member if they need to update their tasks. If you have access to Office 365, great, you can use Planner right now! An additional feature of Planner is the ability to invite guests into your Plan who do not have an Office 365 license.

Where Microsoft Project requires a separate license to be purchased just for the tool itself. Microsoft Planner is a free tool that is utilized within the Office 365 subscription licensing package. When choosing between Planner and Project, it is essential to assess the differences here for each. Project, on the other hand, has deep, complex integration where the project manager can track detailed and time-phased information regarding their project.Įvery tool has its price. Planner features a Kanban board methodology for simple task management geared towards ad-hoc projects and teams that allow team members to work together on the board and update tasks. However, they are dramatically different in how they are commonly used. Useīoth Microsoft Planner and Microsoft Project are project scheduling and task management tools. When assessing which tool to choose, there are some key questions you should ask yourself before deciding which to utilize for your next project. Microsoft Project is an exceptional tool for project scheduling that dives deep into its relational database, while Microsoft Planner provides lightweight task organization for a team. There is flexibility in tools to choose from to fit your organizational and/or portfolio/program/project needs. Other projects may be simpler, and therefore the requirements for tracking detailed data are not as stringent. Some projects are characterized by a need for deep analysis requiring time-phased data and resource planning. Even though Project Management methodologies share similar concepts, projects by nature, and the tools at one’s disposal to support those projects come in great variety. However, the process of achieving that goal is an area where we, as Project Managers, tend to vary. In Project Management, clearly defining and setting the goal one hopes to achieve is a concept shared by all. “Those who plan do better than those who do not plan, even though they rarely stick to their plan.” – Winston Churchill

Ms project alternative