Sorry, Microsoft, but I just can't recomment MS Project.
March 08, 2016

Sorry, Microsoft, but I just can't recomment MS Project.

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 3 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Microsoft Project

Microsoft Project is used by various groups throughout the organization primarily for compatibility with client requirements. It is as a tool for managing work, providing estimates, and measuring project success.

Pros

  • Microsoft Project has broad compatibility with other Microsoft products.
  • Project is used commonly, so the ability to use it at least at a basic level is a virtual pre-requisite in the project management industry.
  • Project is full featured, including task heirarchies, resource leveling and tracking, relationships between tasks, gantt charts, and reporting tools.

Cons

  • Most features of MS project are more difficult to use than other project management tools.
  • Occasionally, it is necessary to (gasp!) print the project plan. Project doesn't have a very robust facility for printing.
  • Creating some reports, even basic ones, can be byzantine.
  • With respect to ROI, we had limited success integrating Project with Outlook. Any savings garnered from using AD, were lost with the clunky implementation and feature set.
  • User adoption with MS Project was low. Most users couldn't understand how to use Project, which forced project managers to manage tasks instead of managing projects.
After using other web-based project management tools, Project would not be my first choice.
Project is well suited for organizations that rely solely on Microsoft products. It is less appropriate for more agile organizations and teams.

Microsoft Project Feature Ratings

Project Management
4.1
Task Management
6
Resource Management
3
Gantt Charts
6
Scheduling
5
Workflow Automation
3
Team Collaboration
1
Support for Agile Methodology
1
Support for Waterfall Methodology
7
Document Management
6
Email integration
3
Mobile Access
Not Rated
Timesheet Tracking
Not Rated
Change request and Case Management
Not Rated
Budget and Expense Management
Not Rated
Professional Services Automation
3.0
Quotes/estimates
Not Rated
Invoicing
Not Rated
Project & financial reporting
3
Integration with accounting software
Not Rated

Microsoft Project Support

Self-directed help is usually just frustrating. Help Desks don't seem to be knowledgeable enough to provide good answers. There doesn't appear to be a way to get immediate help without great expense.
ProsCons
Kept well informed
Slow Resolution
Poor followup
Problems left unsolved
Difficult to get immediate help
Need to explain problems multiple times
Slow Initial Response
No - I can't justify paying for premium support. The product should be intuitive and free of bugs.
Yes - No. My bug grew a long gray beard and eventually died without getting any attention.
Shortly after installation, I reached a support representative who resolved a Gantt chart issue quickly and easily. He understood what I was asking without lengthy explanation or going down a rabbit hole. The secret ingredient was listening.

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