After more than ten years of empowering project managers and teams worldwide, Project Online is set to retire on September 30, 2026. This marks a significant milestone in the evolution of project management tools within the Microsoft ecosystem. Understanding the implications of this change is crucial for organizations relying on Project Online for their workflows and planning processes.
It’s important to note that this retirement exclusively affects Project Online and does not impact Project desktop, Project Server, or Planner. Planner, which integrates Project for the web, Planner in Microsoft 365, and To Do, continues to be fully supported and developed.
Why Is Project Online Retiring?
Project Online has been a reliable solution for many organizations, but its legacy architecture now limits the ability to innovate and integrate with modern collaborative work environments. As announced in 2018, Microsoft is shifting focus towards more advanced, AI-powered tools that better align with today’s dynamic project management needs. With the deprecation of certain SharePoint Online workflow design tools in 2026, Microsoft is prioritizing innovation within Planner, Microsoft 365 Copilot, and the Project Manager agent—tools designed to be intuitive, scalable, and deeply integrated across Microsoft 365.
For more details on this strategic shift, you can explore the official announcement here and learn about SharePoint workflow changes here.
What Does This Mean for Organizations?
- No immediate disruption: Your current Project Online environment will continue to operate normally until the retirement date.
- Key dates to remember:
- October 1, 2025: End of sale for new Project Online-only subscriptions.
- September 30, 2026: Official retirement date when Project Online will no longer be accessible.
- Project desktop remains available: This tool is unaffected and will continue to support desktop-based project management.
- Planner continues to evolve: Planner integrates Project for the web and To Do, offering a unified platform for task and project management.
Transition Options: What Are Your Choices?
Transitioning from Project Online offers several pathways tailored to different organizational needs. Let’s explore these options from both an administrative and user perspective.
Planner
Planner is emerging as a modern, unified solution for work and project management. For administrators, Planner’s premium features—available through licenses like Planner and Project Plan 3 and Planner and Project Plan 5—offer advanced capabilities such as portfolio management, baselines, dependencies, Gantt charts, and workflow automation via Power Apps and Power Automate. This means admins can streamline project oversight and automate routine tasks, reducing manual workload.
From a user’s standpoint, Planner’s intuitive interface and integration with Microsoft 365 make task tracking and collaboration seamless. The introduction of the Project Manager agent, an AI-powered assistant currently in public preview, further enhances user experience by automating task creation, status updates, and generating professional reports tailored to project contexts. This AI integration promises to reduce administrative overhead and keep teams aligned effortlessly.
Project Server Subscription Edition
For organizations requiring advanced project and portfolio management (PPM) capabilities, Project Server Subscription Edition is a robust alternative. Built on the latest SharePoint Server technology, it offers comprehensive planning, scheduling, and resource management tools. Administrators will appreciate its familiar environment and powerful features that closely mirror Project Online’s capabilities, facilitating a smoother transition.
Users benefit from a stable, feature-rich platform that supports complex project workflows, ensuring continuity in managing large-scale projects without sacrificing functionality.
Dynamics 365 Project Operations
This solution is tailored for organizations with a strong focus on timesheet management, resource scheduling, and integrated project financials. From an admin perspective, Dynamics 365 Project Operations offers a unified platform that connects project delivery with financial management, enhancing visibility and control over project costs and resources.
Users gain access to tools that streamline time tracking and resource allocation, improving efficiency and project execution accuracy.
Preparing for the Transition
- The retirement process will be automatic; no administrative action is required to initiate it.
- Administrators should proactively communicate these changes to users and update internal documentation to reflect the upcoming transition.
- Evaluating the alternative solutions early and planning the migration will help avoid last-minute disruptions.
- Backing up existing Project Online data is essential to prevent data loss after the retirement date.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Project Management with Microsoft
While change can be challenging, the future of project management within Microsoft 365 is bright and full of promise. Enhancements to Planner, powered by AI and integrated deeply with Microsoft 365, are designed to make project management more intuitive, collaborative, and efficient. The Project Manager agent is just the beginning of this intelligent, integrated experience.
For ongoing updates and insights, visit the Planner Blog or connect with your Microsoft account team.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is being retired?
Only Project Online is retiring. This does not affect:
- Project desktop
- Project Server Subscription Edition
- Planner (both basic and premium capabilities)
When is Project Online retiring?
- October 1, 2025: End of sale for new Project Online-only subscriptions.
- September 30, 2026: Official retirement date.
Will my current projects stop working before the retirement date?
No. Existing customers will have full support and access to Project Online until September 30, 2026. Projects, integrations, and team access will remain functional during this period.
Why is Microsoft retiring Project Online?
The legacy architecture limits the delivery of modern, AI-powered experiences. Microsoft is investing in Planner and the Project Manager agent to provide more scalable, intuitive, and collaborative project management tools.
What are my options after Project Online retires?
Depending on your needs, you can transition to:
- Planner with Project Plan 3 or Project Plan 5 licenses
- Project Server Subscription Edition
- Dynamics 365 Project Operations
- Project desktop, available with Project Standard 2024 or Project Professional 2024
Is Planner included in my Microsoft 365 subscription?
Planner Basic is included in Microsoft 365 E3 and E5 subscriptions. Premium features are available through Planner Plan 1, Planner and Project Plan 3, and Planner and Project Plan 5 licenses. Users with E3, E5, and equivalent licenses can also participate as team members on Planner premium plans.
What is the Project Manager agent?
The Project Manager agent is an AI-powered assistant that automates task creation, status reporting, and execution across Planner views. It also offers Copilot chat capabilities within Planner, helping teams stay on track with minimal manual effort.
Can I continue using Project desktop?
Yes, Project desktop is unaffected by this change and will remain available.
What happens to my Project Online projects after September 2026?
After the retirement date, access to Project Online projects and data will cease. To avoid disruption and data loss, it is essential to back up your data and complete your transition to alternative solutions before September 30, 2026.
When will existing customers stop being able to create new Project Online tenants?
Starting April 2026, current customers will no longer be able to create new Project Online tenants.
What is the status of Project Server 2016 and 2019?
Both versions will enter extended support on July 14, 2026. Upgrading to Project Server Subscription Edition is recommended.
Where can I find more information and updates?
- Visit the Planner Adoption page for guidance on transitioning.
- Check the Microsoft 365 Roadmap for upcoming feature releases.
- Stay informed through the Planner Blog and Project Blog.
- Explore the Planner help & learning page for tutorials and support.
- Watch Planner demos to maximize your use of Planner within Microsoft Teams.
Source: Microsoft
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