Elena Humeniuk
PPM Consultant
Microsoft has officially confirmed that Project Online will reach its end of life on September 30, 2026. After this date, the platform will cease to function, forcing organizations to transition their project and portfolio management (PPM) operations to alternative solutions.
For years, Microsoft Project Online has been the backbone of project scheduling, governance, and reporting for thousands of organizations worldwide. However, Microsoft’s shift toward modern, cloud-based, and AI-driven platforms means that users must now plan their transition carefully.
If you’re asking, “Is Project Online being discontinued?” the answer is yes. Microsoft has outlined the roadmap, and organizations should not wait until the last minute. Transitioning takes time, resources, and strategy, especially if you want to protect your data, maintain governance processes, and empower teams with modern tools.
Option 1: Moving to Project Server Subscription Edition
One way to prepare for Microsoft Project Online end of life is to migrate to Project Server Subscription Edition. It is the latest generation of Microsoft Project Server and can be deployed either on-premises or hosted in Microsoft Azure. It’s an excellent alternative for enterprises and organizations looking for enterprise-level features.
With this approach, your organization is responsible for deploying and maintaining an entire SharePoint and Project Server farm. That means setting up dedicated Microsoft SQL Servers and relying on in-house database administrators to manage and support the infrastructure.
Project Server Subscription Edition appeals to organizations that require a high degree of control over security, governance, customization, and enterprise-grade functionality. It offers the full range of PPM features, including workflows for governance, advanced resource management, financial tracking, reporting, and portfolio oversight.
Automated Project Online to Project Server migration
Transitioning from Project Online to Project Server can be complex, requiring database migration, configuration, and resource mapping. Manual migration is a time-consuming process that requires technical expertise and can lead to data damage, loss, or other accidents.
To reduce these complexities, FluentPro FluentBooks offers automated Project Online migration to Project Server Subscription Edition. In addition, it also simplifies configuration management and post-migration processes, such as bulk edits, configuration auditing, documentation, Excel import/export, bulk publishing, and thorough comparison across environments. By using FluentBooks, organizations can:
- Save up to 70% of migration and configuration management time.
- Automate Project Online to Project Server migration.
- Eliminate human errors and data loss.
- Simplify project governance and save administrative effort.
- Reduce project risks and resource requirements.
Option 2: Transitioning to Microsoft Planner Premium
Another path for organizations preparing for Microsoft Project Online end of life is to migrate to Planner Premium. This option combines day-to-day work management with the advanced capabilities of the Power Platform, giving teams both ease of use and advanced functionality.
At its core, Microsoft Planner Premium is powered by the same scheduling engine that drives Microsoft Project, so project managers will find the experience familiar. Many of the features previously available in Project Online are now accessible here, and the best part is that they come under the licenses most organizations already own. However, Planner Premium has significant limitations and might not suit enterprise customers with complex project management processes.
Users can choose between the integrated Planner app in Microsoft Teams or the dedicated web interface, depending on their workflow. Since Planner Premium is built within the Microsoft Power Platform, it can be expanded with Power Apps, Power Automate, and Power BI, all connecting to the Dataverse backend. This architecture delivers much faster and more flexible reporting than the older OData-based model in Project Online.
The benefits of Microsoft Planner Premium include modern web interface, seamless Teams integration, and Dataverse-powered reporting make it a more agile solution. New capabilities, including Portfolio roadmaps and integration with Microsoft Copilot for AI-driven insights, make it a forward-looking choice for organizations preparing for the future of work.
Automated Project Online migration to Planner Premium
Migrating to Planner Premium can be challenging if done manually. It takes a lot of time and is often prone to human errors and data loss. FluentPro Project Migrator offers an automated Microsoft Project Online to Planner Premium migration solution that helps organizations:
- Automate migration and save time.
- Reduce human errors and data loss.
- No technical skills are required; migration is done in a few clicks.
- Move projects, tasks, resources, and assignments seamlessly.
- Maintain data integrity and minimize downtime.
- Save up to 93% of migration time compared to manual processes.
This approach ensures that despite Microsoft Project Online discontinued challenges, your team transitions smoothly and without errors.
Microsoft Project Online Migration Advisory Services
Not every organization has a clear migration destination in mind. Some may be evaluating Microsoft Planner Premium, Project Server, or other third-party platforms. If you’re not sure about your next move, you can turn to FluentPro migration advisory service that will help:
- Assess your current Project Online environment.
- Compare available migration options.
- Define a roadmap aligned with your business goals, compliance requirements, and budget.
- Reduce risks tied to manual migration and poor planning.
Microsoft Project Online migration advisory services ensure you don’t rush into a solution that fails to support your long-term strategy.
Final Thoughts
Although Microsoft Project Online end of life date is more than a year away, waiting until 2026 is risky. Migration of projects takes months for large enterprises, especially when governance, data integrity, and compliance are at stake.
The retirement of Microsoft Project Online is a pivotal moment for PMOs and project managers. Rather than viewing it as a disruption, consider it an opportunity to modernize. Whether choosing enterprise-grade Project Server or light-weight Planner Premium, FluentPro’s expert migration solutions and advisory services ensure a smooth transition while enhancing efficiency, reporting, and governance.
Don’t wait until the last moment; start planning your migration strategy today to ensure business continuity beyond 2026.
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