With all the recent buzz around the retirement of Project Online on September 30, 2026, we wanted to provide some calm and clarity for organizations that use Microsoft Project as their scheduling tool.
First and foremost…. Microsoft Project, AKA Project Desktop (the application used to build and manage schedules), is not going anywhere!
Furthermore, this change may not be as disruptive as you think. To understand why, we first need to understand some commonly confused Microsoft Project related terms.
Key Microsoft Project Components
- Microsoft Project Desktop The standalone desktop application used to create, manage, and track project schedules. It provides advanced scheduling capabilities such as task dependencies, resource assignments, and reporting. While it can connect to Project Server or Project Online for enterprise collaboration, it does not require either to function.
- Project Online A cloud-based server hosted in Microsoft 365. It provides enterprise-level project and portfolio management without requiring on-premises infrastructure. Project Online supports centralized project storage, enterprise resource management, and portfolio reporting.
- Project Server An on-premises enterprise project management solution that allows organizations to centrally store and manage project schedules. Like Project Online, it can integrate with the Microsoft Project Desktop Client and Project Web App (PWA) to support portfolio management, resource planning, and reporting.
- Project Web App (PWA) A browser-based interface for Project Server and Project Online. PWA allows project managers and team members to view and update tasks, manage resources, and access reports without using the desktop client.
The image below provides a visual representation of how these tools work together:
If your organization isn’t using Project Online today, nothing will change in your operations and no action is needed by your organization
What the Retirement of Project Online Really Means
As shown in the diagram above, Project Desktop (the tool you use every day to build and manage schedules) is a separate tool from Project Online.
You DO NOT need Project Online to continue using Project Desktop.
While some organizations use Project Online for enterprise-level capabilities, many of the benefits commonly attributed to Project Online can be achieved without it, especially when using SSI Tools. For example:
- Enterprise Resource Analysis – One of the most valuable features of Project Online is the ability to view resource usage across multiple projects. However, having Project Online is not the only way to do this. Using the SSI Tools Time Scaled Values tool, you can generate the same enterprise-level resource usage data directly from your schedules.
- Schedule updates via PWA – Project Online allows project managers and task owners to submit updates through Project Web App. In practice, this approach is often cumbersome and inconsistent. A more effective and streamlined alternative is the SSI Status Workbook tool, which automates the collection of schedule updates in a controlled, efficient way.
Project Online Alternatives
If you want to maintain the enterprise-level capabilities you’re accustomed to with Project Online, several alternative solutions offer comparable functionality:
- Project Server – As noted earlier, Microsoft provides another enterprise project management solution in Project Server. The primary difference from Project Online is that Project Server requires an on-premises deployment. This option is often well-suited for organizations handling sensitive or classified data that cannot be stored in the cloud. With managed Project Server hosting, migration, implementation, and ongoing maintenance can be handled for you, ensuring a smooth and seamless transition.
- Third-Party Solutions – If you prefer a cloud-based environment or want to avoid managing on-premises infrastructure, a variety of third-party providers offer solutions similar to Project Online. While SSI is not directly affiliated with these vendors, we can help evaluate available options and provide informed recommendations based on our experience.
The Big Picture
Most importantly, Microsoft Project is not going anywhere! We have met with several current and former employees within the Microsoft Project team at Microsoft who have assured us of this. It remains the premier and most widely used advanced scheduling platform in the world. Having Project Desktop is the only requirement for using SSI Tools. We are fully committed to continuing to enhance our tools and provide unmatched support for everything related to Microsoft Project. We believe we make Microsoft Project the best scheduling platform for Project Managers and Schedulers
For many organizations, an enterprise solution like Project Online or Project Server may not be necessary at all. The functionality they provide can be replaced (or improved) using just Project Desktop combined with SSI Tools.
If you have questions about alternatives to Project Online or want to explore how SSI Tools can support your organization, please contact us at ssi@ssitools.com. We’d be happy to answer your questions, or even walk you through a live demonstration of our tools in action.