Microsoft Project

What is Microsoft Project?

Microsoft Project is a renowned project management software. Project was designed specifically for project managers, as it allows them to control current and upcoming projects. With Microsoft Project, you can plan projects, create reports, split tasks, manage resources and more. Project is a Microsoft Office application, just like the likes of Word and PowerPoint. However, Project is not included in any of the Microsoft Office packages but sold as a separate license. The idea of such a software, originated in the early 1980s. After that, it started to develop more and more until the early 2000s. Since then, every 2/3 years (on average) a newer edition was released with more and better features and functions, leading up to the most recent edition; Microsoft Project 2021.

What type of license is Microsoft Project?

Microsoft Project is a Volume License. A Volume License is using one license, to authorize software for a lot of users or devices. The license term of Microsoft Project is perpetual, meaning that it is a one-time purchase, and you can use it forever if you wish to.

What versions are available of Microsoft Project?

The three newest editions of Microsoft Project are 2016, 2019 and 2021. All of these have 2 different versions: Standard and Professional, with Professional being the more expensive version. This is simply because of the fact Professional offers more functions and features than Standard does. You can read more about this in the next paragraphs.

New features for Microsoft Project: 2016 vs 2019

These are the new features in Project 2019:

1. Task Summary Name Field
2. Accessibility improvements
3. Timeline bar labels and task progress
4. Link tasks using a drop-down menu

New features for Microsoft Project: 2019 vs 2021

These are the new features in Project 2021:

1. What-if scenarios
2. View complex schedules
3. Automatic planning systems
4. Automatic start and end dates

Microsoft Project 2021 Standard vs Professional

Visio Professional comes with more functions and features than Visio Standard. This is the case for all editions. Logically, Professional comes with a higher price tag. Microsoft Project 2021 Standard comes with Automatic start and end dates, Project Desktop Application, Schedule and Cost Management, Visualization of Complex schedules with multiple timelines, Business information management and more. Professional also includes all of those functions and features but has some more. These are LTSC support, Compatible with Office LTSC and Office 2021, Resources Management, Insight into administrative matters and Synchronization Project Online and Project Server.

Can I use Microsoft Project on MAC?

No, unfortunately you cannot use Microsoft Project on MAC, as the two are not compatible with each other.

System requirements Microsoft Project 2021

These are the minimum requirements your computer should meet if you want to run Microsoft Project 2021:

1. 1.6 GHz or faster
2. Windows 10/11 or Windows Server 2019
3. 4 GB of free hard disk space
4. 4 GB RAM; 2 GB RAM (32-bit)
5. DirectX 10 Graphics card
6. 1280 x 768 screen resolution

Support end dates for Microsoft Project 2021:

If updates to your Microsoft Project software are important, then check the end date of the standard support below. In case security updates are a priority for you, see the extended support end date below:

1. End date standard support (updates): 13-10-2026
2. Extended (security) support end date: 13-10-2026