Microsoft has confirmed it: Project Online is officially retiring on September 30, 2026. And while your systems won’t go dark tomorrow, the clock is ticking.
For the many organizations that still rely on Project Online, this isn’t just a software retirement, it’s a critical inflection point. You now have to make decisions not just about tools, but about your long-term work management strategy.
And the truth is: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
Your Microsoft-Aligned Options
Microsoft has laid out a few clear paths:
Planner Premium
Planner is the modern, cloud-native successor, built for teams that need flexibility, collaboration, and deep integration with Microsoft 365. Planner Premium now includes portfolios, Gantt views, dependencies, and even AI-powered features like Copilot’s Project Manager Agent.
Project Server Subscription Edition
For teams that need to keep the capabilities they’ve relied on in Project Online, Project Server Subscription Edition offers continuity. This is a solid fit for organizations needing on-premises deployment, governance structure, and a familiar PPM framework.
Alternative Platforms That Scale With You
Looking for something beyond Microsoft’s stack? Here are two options we actively partner with:
OnePlan
A highly flexible, scalable portfolio and work management platform that plays well with Microsoft 365, Azure DevOps, and more. Built for enterprise organizations ready to mature their strategic planning and delivery capabilities.
edison365
A modular platform that brings ideation, business case development, and project execution together in one ecosystem, allowing you to manage the entire project lifecycle, not just tasks and schedules.
Or… Build a System That’s Entirely Yours
For organizations that are tired of bending to the limitations of every out-of-the-box tool, there’s another path: a custom system built around your business, your process, and your people.
We’ve helped companies design purpose-built platforms with tailored workflows, automation, and deeply integrated reporting, so you’re not just migrating systems, you’re modernizing how your organization works.
Why This Isn’t Just a Tech Decision
Choosing your path forward shouldn’t start with a licensing conversation. It should start with a strategic one.
Project Online’s retirement is the perfect opportunity to:
- Rethink how you define and measure project success
- Realign tools to real-world workflows
- Eliminate legacy blockers and shadow systems
- Build a foundation that actually supports your future
This is more than a platform pivot. It’s a chance to elevate your entire delivery model.
Let’s Build Your Roadmap
EPMA has helped organizations navigate tool transitions, custom builds, governance realignment, and strategic roadmap planning for more than a decade.
Whether you’re staying inside Microsoft’s ecosystem or exploring something new, we’ll help you map the best path forward, one that protects your data, elevates your delivery, and works for your people.
The time to start is now. Let’s build a solution that’s right for you, not just right now.