Introduction

Companies often have to decide whether to use Microsoft Project Professional standalone or in conjunction with Project Server. While the choice depends on specific project management needs, this article will explore scenarios where Microsoft Project Professional makes sense without Project Server. Additionally, we will provide insights into the technology stack of a typical company using MS Project.

Using Microsoft Project Professional as a Standalone Tool

Microsoft Project Professional can be a powerful standalone application for managing individual project management tasks. It offers comprehensive features such as creating Gantt charts, tracking progress, managing resources, and generating reports. This standalone usage model can be highly beneficial for organizations that require project management capabilities but do not need advanced collaborative and centralized management features provided by Project Server.

Limited Collaborative Functionalities

While Project Professional is robust, it has limitations in collaborative functionalities compared to Project Server or Project Online. Key collaborative features like real-time collaboration, centralized resource management, and portfolio management are available with Project Server. If your team heavily relies on these functionalities, Project Professional might fall short. However, for smaller projects or teams, the standalone version can still be a valuable tool.

Integration with Other Tools

Even without Project Server, Microsoft Project Professional can be integrated with other Microsoft 365 tools like Teams, SharePoint, or Planner. This integration enhances project visibility and enables better collaboration. For example, integrating Project Professional with Microsoft Teams can provide real-time updates and notifications within a familiar collaboration platform. Similarly, integrating with SharePoint allows for seamless data management and document control.

Cost Considerations

When deciding between Project Professional and Project Server, cost is a significant factor to consider. If your projects are relatively simple and do not require advanced features of a server environment, using Project Professional alone can be more cost-effective. However, for larger organizations with complex project management needs, the added value of Project Server's features often outweighs the cost.

Current Usage in Our Company

Our company has successfully integrated Microsoft Project with JIRA. This integration has significantly improved our project management process. By leveraging the strengths of both tools, we have:

Increased the amount of data we handle Increased the number of involved people Integrated multiple systems for better project visibility

Note: The version of MS Project used by our company is typically Microsoft Project 2019 or Microsoft Project for Microsoft 365, based on our licensing agreements and upgrade cycles.

Conclusion

Deciding whether to use Microsoft Project Professional or Project Server without it depends on your specific project management needs. For standalone usage, Project Professional offers robust capabilities, especially when integrated with other Microsoft 365 tools. Understanding the limitations and benefits of each tool can help you make an informed decision. If collaboration and centralized management are crucial, consider the benefits of Project Server. Regardless of your choice, integrating multiple tools can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of your project management process.