Editing Microsoft Project (section)

== Features ==
[[File:proj2007.jpg|thumb|Microsoft Project 2007 showing a simple [[Gantt chart]]]]
The project creates budgets based on assignment work and resource rates. As resources are assigned to tasks and assignment work estimated, the program calculates the cost, equal to the work times the rate, which rolls up to the task level and then to any summary tasks and finally to the project level. Resource definitions (people, equipment and materials) can be shared between projects using a shared resource pool. Each resource can have its own calendar, which defines what days and shifts a resource is available. Resource rates are used to calculate resource assignment costs which are rolled up and summarized at the resource level. Each resource can be assigned to multiple tasks in multiple plans and each task can be assigned multiple resources, and the application schedules task work based on the resource availability as defined in the resource calendars. All resources can be defined in label without limit.  Therefore, it cannot determine how many finished products can be produced with a given amount of raw materials.  This makes Microsoft Project unsuitable for solving problems of available materials constrained production.  Additional software is necessary to manage a complex facility that produces physical goods.

The application creates [[critical path method|critical path]] schedules, and [[critical chain]] and [[event chain methodology]] third-party add-ons also are available. Schedules can be [[resource management|resource leveled]], and chains are visualized in a [[Gantt chart]]. Additionally, Microsoft Project can recognize different classes of users.  These different classes of users can have differing access levels to projects, views, and other data. Custom objects such as calendars, views, tables, filters, and fields are stored in an enterprise global which is shared by all users.

=== Editions ===
As of 2021, Project is available in two editions, Standard and Professional; both editions are available either as 32 or 64-bit options. The Professional edition includes all the features of the Standard version, plus more features like team collaboration tools and the ability to connect to [[Microsoft Project Server]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Version Comparison (Microsoft Project Professional 2010, Microsoft Project Standard 2010)|url=http://download.microsoft.com/download/F/6/E/F6E62DAD-91FE-4B5C-839E-E50BDF6B90B2/version_comparison_desktop.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Choose Your Microsoft Project, Learn about & compare Project versions|url=http://office.microsoft.com/en-au/project/project-management-and-ppm-software-comparisons-microsoft-project-FX103797367.aspx}}</ref>

===Project 2010===

Microsoft Project 2010 includes the [[Fluent (user interface)|Fluent user interface]] known as the [[Ribbon (computing)|Ribbon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/exec/steve/2007/10-30OPConferenceBallmer.aspx |title=Steve Ballmer: Microsoft Office Project Conference 2007 |work=News Center |publisher=Microsoft |date=October 30, 2007 |access-date=January 20, 2013}}</ref>

; Interoperability: Microsoft Project's capabilities were extended with the introduction of [[Microsoft Office Project Server]] and Microsoft Project Web Access.  Project Server stores Project data in a central [[SQL]]-based database, allowing multiple, independent projects to access a shared resource pool.  Web Access allows authorized users to access a Project Server database across the [[Internet]], and includes timesheets, graphical analysis of resource workloads, and administrative tools.
; User-controlled scheduling: User-controlled scheduling offers flexible choices for developing and managing projects.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.microsoft.com/project/en-us/ribbon_guide.aspx |title=Microsoft Project 2010 Ribbon Guide |work=Microsoft Project Training |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=January 20, 2013 |format=[[Silverlight]] animation}}</ref>
;Timeline: The timeline view allows the user to build a basic Visio-style graphical overview of the project schedule.  The view can be copied and pasted into PowerPoint, Word, or any other application.
;SharePoint 2010 list synchronization: [[SharePoint Foundation]] and Project Professional project task status updates may be synchronized for team members.
;Inactive tasks: helps experiment with project plans and perform what-if analysis
;The Team Planner view: The new Team Planner shows resources and work overtime, and helps spot problems and resolve issues.

===Project 2013===

What's new in Project 2013 includes new Reports section, better integration with other Microsoft products, and appearance of user interface items:<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/project-help/what-s-new-in-project-2013-HA102749523.aspx
| title = What's new in Project 2013
| publisher = Microsoft
| access-date = October 10, 2013
}}</ref>

; Reports:  A Reports section is added to the ribbon for pre-installed reports.  Project 2013 includes graphical reports so that you can create graphical reports and add clipart without having to export data to another program.  For example, the  Burndown reports show planned work, completed work, and remaining work as lines on a graph.  Project 2013 adds pre-installed ability to compare projects, do dashboards, and export to Visual Reports.

; Trace task paths:  This feature allows you to highlight the link chain (or 'task path') for any task.  When you click on a specific task, all of its predecessor tasks show up in one color and all of its successor tasks show up in another color.

; Sharing:  Project 2013 improves the sharing and communication features of its predecessors in multiple ways without leaving Project.  With Lync installed, hovering over a name allows you to start an IM session, a video chat, an email, or a phone call. You can copy and paste content to any of the Microsoft Office suites.  You can sync content to SharePoint or a SkyDrive to share without going through Project and Project Online provides an online project management web app that has all of the functionality of Project 2013 and can be accessed from any web-enabled device.

===Project 2016===

Project 2016 adds a new Reports section, backwards-compatibility with Project Server 2013, better integration with other Microsoft products, and improved appearance of user interface items:

; Timeline: Allows user to customize views to have multiple timeline bars and custom date ranges in a single view.<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.zdnet.com/article/whats-new-for-business-users-in-microsofts-office-16/
| title = What's new for business users in Microsoft's Office '16'?
| publisher = ZDnet
| date = September 18, 2013
| access-date = June 10, 2015}}</ref>

; Resource Agreements:  Gives features for resource planning coordination between Project Manager and Resource Manager.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 20, 2015 |title=Was ist neu in Microsoft Project Server 2016 und Project Online – Ressourcenvereinbarungen |trans-title=What is new in Microsoft Project Server 2016 and Project Online – Resource Agreements |url=http://www.holert.com/aktuelles/news/2015/05/20/was-ist-neu-in-microsoft-project-server-2016-und-project-online---ressourcenvereinbarungen |access-date=June 10, 2015 |publisher=Holertcom |language=de}}</ref>

; Office 2016 style theme and help:  Uses the new Office query 'tell me what you want to do'.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://managementyogi.blogspot.com/2015/05/microsoft-project-2016-preview-what-is.html
| title = Microsoft Project 2016 Preview – What is New? 
| publisher = ManagementYogi
| date = May 23, 2015| access-date = June 10, 2015}}</ref>

; Backwards compatibility with [[Microsoft Project Server]] 2013:  The transition of enterprises from one version to the next may be eased by this product being able to interact with the earlier version of server.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.manageprojectsonsharepoint.com/blog/2015/05/12/my-top-5-new-microsoft-project-2016-client-features-from-the-microsoft-ignite-conference/
| title = My Top 5 new Microsoft Project 2016 Client Features from the Microsoft Ignite Conference
| publisher = BrightWork
| date = May 12, 2015
| access-date = June 10, 2015
| archive-date = May 5, 2016
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160505141137/http://www.manageprojectsonsharepoint.com/blog/2015/05/12/my-top-5-new-microsoft-project-2016-client-features-from-the-microsoft-ignite-conference/
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>