One of the biggest players in the world of software supply is Microsoft, a company that started its journey in 1974 when it created a BASIC interpreter. Over time, the brand has diversified its reach to encompass almost every corner of the tech space.
When it comes to designing some of the most iconic software out there, Microsoft is a household name. From Windows and Office to the gaming sensation that is Xbox, the brand has undeniably left a prominent mark. While their foray into mobile devices with the Windows Phone and Zune HD was met with less success than their other ventures, they remain a significant presence in the tech sector.
It might surprise some to learn that while Microsoft’s biggest earner is their Intelligent Cloud, they aren’t the market leaders in this particular sector. Their revenue from Azure cloud services actually constitutes a third of their overall income.
Microsoft‘s business strategy emphasizes the importance of cloud computing and the XaaS (everything as a service) model for long-term growth. This approach is reflected in their second most profitable product, Microsoft Office 365, which offers services to both commercial and individual users.
In case you’re curious, you might be wondering if Microsoft offers any project management-related products or services.
I wondered if Microsoft had any tools for project management.
The original project management software from Microsoft, which was first launched under the name ‘Project’ in the 1980s, has evolved significantly over time. Initially designed for Microsoft DOS using a combination of Microsoft C programming language and assembly, the tool was created as a playful endeavor. Creator Ron Bredehoeft’s initial goal was to build a program that would lay out the sequence of steps involved in preparing eggs benedict in a project management format. And, as they say, the rest is history: Project was born.
How Microsoft Project Empowers You While Trello has gone through numerous versions, achieving differing levels of success, the software has recently overtaken Jira to become the second most favoured project management tool on the market, owing to its seamless integration with Microsoft Office.
Designed as a Microsoft project management tool, Project offers a wealth of features that include creating and implementing project schedules, tracking progress, assigning and reassigning workloads, resource allocation, and cost management.
Those familiar with project management, especially experienced project managers, will notice that the features mentioned are not necessarily exclusive to Microsoft Project, as they are standard functionalities offered by many similar tools. So, what sets MSP apart from its rivals?
Microsoft Project’s Impact in the World of Project Management
Integration with Microsoft Office 365 Suite
It’s hardly surprising that Microsoft has put a major emphasis on inter-product compatibility, as it remains the key benefit of their offerings. By building a vast ecosystem consisting of various products, Microsoft offers solutions for a wide range of purposes, including day-to-day office tasks, database management, and programming.
In the past, Microsoft Project was a standalone product separate from other software offerings like Office. Only with its recent inclusion in the Microsoft 365 suite has it become available alongside more tightly interwoven Microsoft programs, though the integration is not yet completely smooth.
With a strong commitment to creating cloud-based solutions and Software-as-a-Service, Microsoft is certain to introduce functionalities that will allow the Project platform to seamlessly integrate with other 365 products in the future.
Luckily, Microsoft Project enjoys solid integration with Teams. However, while many people mistake Teams for a project management tool, it is primarily a communication platform, akin to other popular services like Zoom and Slack. By using Teams combined with Projects and Roadmaps, managers have an easier time keeping their teams up to date with progress reports.
At present, there is some level of interaction between Microsoft Project and other products, including Azure DevOps, and it stands to reason that we can anticipate even greater interoperability amongst all of these programmes in the days ahead.
Managing User Interfaces
Over the past ten years, the ribbon interface has become a common fixture of Office software. Microsoft has aimed to foster customer approval by creating a uniform user experience throughout all of its products, including Microsoft Project.
Are you seeking to craft a new graph using MSP? You will find that the visual interface is identical to that of Excel, so anyone who is already acquainted with Excel will have no trouble designing graphs within Project.
Office productivity software has become the accepted industry standard, and while users may have their personal preferences, most would agree that the user experience offered by free and open-source programs like LibreOffice is on par with that of proprietary software by Microsoft. This is why it is often said that Project is simple to operate for those who have already mastered Word.
Custom-built for the MSP User Community
Microsoft Project has undergone a steady stream of enhancements over the past three years, informed by user feedback and data sourced from the company’s all-encompassing database. As development continues, customer input will remain a pivotal factor influencing the evolution of the product.
Microsoft Project is a commanding instrument especially useful for financial management. Equipped with a diverse array of features, it assists in keeping costs low while ensuring that projects are delivered within allotted timeframes. Among these features are checklists, roadmaps, Gantt charts, and Kanban boards, providing project managers with a comprehensive toolkit.
Microsoft Project is a “paradigm-neutral” software, indicating that it can be customized to accommodate any project management methodology, be it Agile or Waterfall.
Impact and Scale
No company is more renowned than Microsoft when it comes to computer software. Subscribers enjoy access to a vast array of perks, including participation in a dynamic community, personalized customer support, involvement in educational projects, and much more.
The adage from the 1970s, “No one ever got fired for choosing IBM,” remains valid. Industry leaders often attain success by offering high-quality products throughout their history. When contemplating a “safe choice,” Microsoft is a dependable option. Although some products, such as the Zune and the Microsoft Phone, may not have been commercially successful, a substantial amount of technological effort has evidently gone into their development.
Microsoft offers an extensive network of independent businesses certified as partners, equipped to furnish customer support for Microsoft Project. These services might include user training, video tutorials, certification programs, and various other resources.
The Best Microsoft Project Management Programs
For streamlined project management within a Microsoft ecosystem, there is no better solution than Microsoft Project. Nonetheless, a variety of supplementary tools are available to optimize project workflow, such as cloud-based solutions like Office 365, collaboration platforms like Teams, and customer relationship management tools like Dynamics.
Efficiency is at the core of Microsoft’s software, which includes Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, OneNote, Outlook, Visual Studio, and Access. All of these programs have been custom-built to maximise productivity.
Microsoft has been spearheading the productivity field for nearly three decades. Its influence on the modern landscape has been so significant that even its rivals have had to adjust their offerings to remain competitive. To wholly grasp the magnitude of Microsoft’s influence, we urge you to experience its project management tools.
