When it comes to project management, Microsoft Project is the go-to software for many teams. It provides users with a range of powerful tools to help them plan and track their projects. But with two versions – Microsoft Project Standard and Professional – it can be difficult to decide which is the best for your needs. In this article, we’ll compare the two versions side-by-side and give you the information you need to make an informed decision.
| Microsoft Project Standard | Microsoft Project Professional |
|---|---|
| Task timeline management | Task timeline management with collaboration |
| Basic reports | Advanced reports and dashboards |
| Resource management | Resource management with resource capacity planning |
| Portfolio management | Portfolio management with timeline comparison |
| Team planner | Team planner with visualized resources |
Google Feature Snippet Answer:
Microsoft Project Standard offers task timeline management and basic reports, while Microsoft Project Professional has task timeline management with collaboration, as well as advanced reports and dashboards. Resource management is included with both, but Professional adds resource capacity planning. Portfolio management is also included in both, but Professional has timeline comparison. Team planner is included in both, but Professional has added visualized resources.
Microsoft Project Standard Vs Professional: Comparison Chart
| Features | Microsoft Project Standard | Microsoft Project Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Task Management | Manage tasks, resources and project budgets with visual reports. | Manage tasks, resources and project budgets with visual reports, including Baseline Cost Reports and Earned Value. |
| Resource Management | Create resource pools and share resources across multiple projects. | Create resource pools and share resources across multiple projects, including resource availability information. |
| Reporting | Generate interactive visual reports with built-in templates. | Generate interactive visual reports with built-in templates, including Baseline Cost Reports and Earned Value. |
| Project Collaboration | Collaborate with teams in real-time. | Collaborate with teams in real-time, including simultaneous editing and shared notebooks. |
| Portfolio Management | Visualize and manage portfolios of projects. | Visualize and manage portfolios of projects, including portfolio risk analysis and what-if scenarios. |
Microsoft Project Standard vs Professional: Features and Benefits
Project management software is a powerful tool that helps teams and organizations plan, track, and complete projects. Microsoft Project is one of the most popular project management solutions on the market today, and it offers two versions: Microsoft Project Standard and Professional. Understanding the differences between the two versions can help you determine which one is right for your project needs.
Microsoft Project Standard and Professional are both comprehensive project management solutions that help teams collaborate, plan projects, and track progress. Both versions feature a range of tools and features to help manage projects, but the Professional version offers a few extra features that can be beneficial for larger and more complex projects.
Features of Microsoft Project Standard
Microsoft Project Standard is the basic version of Microsoft Project and includes the following features:
• Task management and scheduling: Microsoft Project Standard includes features like task management, Gantt charts, and project scheduling to help teams stay on track and meet deadlines.
• Resource management: This version includes features like resource leveling and resource pooling, which can help teams better manage resources and ensure that the right people are working on the right tasks.
• Reporting: Microsoft Project Standard includes a range of reporting features, including timesheets, graphs, and dashboards.
Features of Microsoft Project Professional
Microsoft Project Professional is the more advanced version of Microsoft Project and includes all the features of the Standard version, plus the following additional features:
• Project sharing: Microsoft Project Professional includes features that allow users to share projects with other users and collaborate in real time.
• Project portfolios: This version includes tools to help users manage project portfolios, including the ability to track changes and compare projects.
• Integration: Microsoft Project Professional integrates with other Microsoft applications, such as Excel and Visio, to help users create and manage projects more efficiently.
Benefits of Microsoft Project Standard and Professional
Microsoft Project Standard and Professional both offer a range of benefits for project management teams, including:
• Increased efficiency: Microsoft Project helps teams plan, manage, and track projects more efficiently, which can help save time and money.
• Improved collaboration: The sharing and collaboration features of Microsoft Project help teams stay on the same page and ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals.
• Better visibility: The reporting features of Microsoft Project help teams gain better visibility into their projects, which can help them make more informed decisions.
Cost of Microsoft Project Standard and Professional
Microsoft Project Standard is available at a one-time cost of $559.99, while Microsoft Project Professional is available at a one-time cost of $1,159.99. Microsoft also offers a subscription-based version of Project Professional, which starts at $30 per user per month.
Which Version is Right for You?
Microsoft Project Standard and Professional both offer powerful project management tools, but the Professional version offers additional features that may be beneficial for larger and more complex projects. When choosing between the two versions, consider the size and complexity of your project and the features you need to help you manage it.
In summary, Microsoft Project Standard and Professional both offer powerful project management features, but the Professional version includes additional features that may be beneficial for larger and more complex projects. Consider the size and complexity of your project and the features you need to help you manage it when deciding which version to purchase.
Microsoft Project Standard vs Professional
Pros
- Microsoft Project Standard has basic features such as task management, resource management and tracking capabilities.
- Microsoft Project Professional has advanced features such as project scheduling and resource tracking.
Cons
- Microsoft Project Standard does not have advanced features such as project scheduling and resource tracking.
- Microsoft Project Professional is more expensive than Microsoft Project Standard.
Microsoft Project Standard Vs Professional: Which Is Better?
Overall, Microsoft Project Standard and Professional both offer a powerful set of tools for planning, tracking, and managing projects. Microsoft Project Standard is ideal for smaller teams looking for a simple solution to manage their projects. Microsoft Project Professional is suitable for larger teams with complex projects. It offers more features, such as resource management, access to the server, and the ability to collaborate with others. If you’re looking for the best possible project management solution, Microsoft Project Professional is the clear choice. It provides advanced features and is easier to use than Microsoft Project Standard. However, Microsoft Project Standard is a cost-effective solution for smaller teams looking for an easier tool to manage their projects.
Top Frequently Asked Questions
What is Microsoft Project Standard?
Microsoft Project Standard is a comprehensive project management software solution designed to help businesses manage their projects from start to finish. It is designed to help businesses plan projects, assign tasks, track progress, manage resources, and collaborate with teams. Project Standard provides users with an intuitive interface to help them quickly and easily create and manage projects. It also features a variety of tools to help users analyze their project data and visualize the project’s progress.
What is Microsoft Project Professional?
Microsoft Project Professional is a project management software solution designed to help businesses manage large, complex projects. It offers a range of features and tools to help users create and manage projects more effectively. Project Professional provides users with an advanced interface to help them quickly and easily create and manage projects. It also includes a variety of tools to help users better analyze their project data and visualize the project’s progress. Additionally, Project Professional includes advanced collaboration features to help teams work together and stay on track.
What are the main differences between Microsoft Project Standard and Professional?
The main difference between Microsoft Project Standard and Professional is the level of complexity. Project Standard is designed for smaller projects and is best suited for users who are new to project management. Project Professional is designed for larger projects and is best suited for users who have experience with project management. Project Professional has more advanced features than Project Standard, such as advanced collaboration features, more detailed project analysis, and better visualization tools.
What features are included in Microsoft Project Professional that are not in Microsoft Project Standard?
Microsoft Project Professional includes a number of features that are not available in Microsoft Project Standard. These features include advanced collaboration tools, more detailed project analysis and reporting, better visualization tools, and an advanced user interface. Additionally, Project Professional includes advanced project management tools such as resource management, project scheduling, and cost estimating.
Which version of Microsoft Project is best for my business?
The version of Microsoft Project that is best for your business will depend on the size and complexity of your projects. If you have small, simple projects, then Microsoft Project Standard may be the best choice. However, if you have larger, more complex projects, then Microsoft Project Professional may be the better option. It is important to assess your project needs before making a decision.
What are the system requirements for using Microsoft Project?
The system requirements for Microsoft Project depend on the version you are using. Microsoft Project Standard is compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 10. Microsoft Project Professional is compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, and Windows Server 2008 R2 and later. Additionally, both versions require a minimum of 2GB of RAM, 4GB of hard disk space, and a 1.6GHz processor.
Difference Between MS Project Professional And MS Project Standard
In conclusion, Microsoft Project Standard and Professional are excellent software tools for project management. Both versions provide a wide range of features, tools and templates to help project managers plan, track and execute their projects. While Project Standard has the basic features to manage a project, Professional has advanced features such as resource management, collaboration and reporting. Depending on the project scope and needs, it is up to the project manager to decide which version will best suit their requirements.