Software
PremiumMicrosoft Project
Scheduling
Microsoft's project scheduling tool, a smaller-scale and more widely available alternative to enterprise scheduling software like Primavera P6.
What it does
Microsoft Project builds a schedule around a Gantt chart view with critical path highlighting built in, letting a scheduler assign resources and track workload across a project's team. Lighter cloud based plans handle basic task tracking, while a desktop client and higher tiers add deeper scheduling control and portfolio-level reporting across multiple projects at once.
Key features
- Gantt chart scheduling with critical path highlighting built into the standard view
- Resource assignment and workload tracking across a project's team
- Cloud-based plans for lighter task tracking, with a desktop client available for deeper scheduling control
- Portfolio-level reporting across multiple projects at the higher subscription tiers
How it's actually used
- A project manager on a small to mid-size project builds a Gantt chart schedule and tracks the critical path without needing enterprise-level scheduling software
- A scheduler on a smaller contractor uses Microsoft Project instead of Primavera P6 because the project's scale doesn't justify the added cost and complexity
Tutorials
Tutorial videos for this tool are coming soon.
Good to know
- Pricing:
- Subscription-based, tiered by feature depth from basic task management up through full desktop scheduling and portfolio reporting, with one-time on-premises licenses also available.
Reviewed 2026-09. Costs, timelines, and licensing details vary by location and change over time. Treat these as a starting point, not a quote.