Microsoft unifies its Project Management Tools – Project for the Web becoming Planner in August 2025: Microsoft is streamlining its project management offerings. As of August 2025, Project for the Web will be officially retired and fully integrated into the new Microsoft Planner (source).
No migration or change in licensing is necessary to access your premium plans in Planner. To lessen confusion, Microsoft is simply transitioning all endpoints to Planner.
In this article, you’ll learn what the transition means for you, the changes to expect, and how to best prepare for them. You’ll find answers to the key questions in these sections:
- Why is Project for the Web being merged into Planner?
- When will Project for the Web transition to Planner?
- What’s changing with the move to Planner?
- Planner licensing models and costs
- Actionable recommendations for businesses
- Want to do more with Planner?
- Conclusion
- FAQ
- Review list: Transitioning from Project for the Web to Planner
Let’s dive in!
Why Is Project for the Web Being Merged into Planner?
Since the launch of Project for the Web in 2019, Microsoft 365 users have had access to overlapping tools for task and project management. To streamline the user experience and enable deeper integration of AI-powered features like Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft is consolidating its platforms.
The goal is to bring To Do, Planner, and Project for the Web together into a single unified solution — under the banner of Microsoft Planner.
From now on there will be one tool for all levels of planning: from basic task management to complex project workflows.
Using Project Online? Read about 2026 retirement of Project Online Workflows. (April) and Project Online Retirement in September 2026.
When Will Project for the Web Transition to Planner?
Starting in August 2025, Project for the Web and the associated Project and Roadmap apps in Microsoft Teams will be retired. From that point on, all users will be automatically redirected to Microsoft Planner.
Note: Your existing plans will remain accessible. You’ll simply continue to access them through Planner. No manual exports or time-consuming data cleanup is required.
What’s Changing with the Move to Planner?
The move to Microsoft Planner brings more than just a fresh interface. You can expect enhanced functionality, deeper integration with Microsoft Teams, and expanded AI support.
Here’s a breakdown of the key changes:
Modern Interface and Streamlined UX
The new Planner features a modernized, unified interface that blends the familiar look and feel of Planner and Teams, while incorporating many advanced features from Project for the Web.
Highlights include:
- Timeline view (Gantt)
- Board view (Kanban)
- Grid view (Table)
- AI-powered suggestions and automations via Microsoft Copilot
One-Click Status Reports
With the new Status Reports feature, premium users can automatically generate project updates directly within the Planner app in Teams. The Project Manager Agent summarizes progress, milestones, risks, and next steps, and delivers the report as a Loop component.
Requirements: Microsoft 365 Copilot + Loop license.
These AI-generated reports save time and can be edited collaboratively in real time using Loop.
Project Manager Agent (In-Preview)
Project Manager (preview) is an innovative AI agent that serves as a collaborator for your plans. It leverages your upcoming deadlines and goals to create a plan, execute tasks to help you get work done, and take in feedback to improve its outputs.
Tasks can be handed off to the agent via drag-and-drop or by assigning them directly. In the People view, the agent even appears as a dedicated team member.
Deeper Integration with Microsoft Teams
The new Planner is now fully embedded in Microsoft Teams. Channel tabs will directly use Planner web components moving forward.
As part of this change, existing “Project” or “Roadmap” tabs will need to be manually replaced with new Planner tabs.
Check out our Microsoft project management tool overview on this blog.
Roadmap Becomes “Portfolios”
The former Roadmap feature is being replaced by the new Portfolios view in Planner. This gives you a consolidated overview of multiple projects, with flexible configuration options to suit your needs.
Copilot Support
With the transition, Planner gains access to Microsoft Copilot. Tasks can be automatically prioritized, schedules generated, and status reports summarized — all powered by AI.
Note: This functionality requires a valid Microsoft 365 Copilot license.
Planner Licensing Models and Costs
Microsoft offers several licensing plans for the new Planner:
- Planner Plan 1: Includes basic features such as task management and simple scheduling.
- Planner & Project Plan 3: Adds advanced capabilities like Gantt charts, resource management, and access to the desktop client.
- Planner & Project Plan 5: Delivers full enterprise-level features for portfolio and resource management.
Note: Pricing will vary depending on your region and contractual agreements.
Actionable Recommendations for Businesses
If you haven’t started yet, now is the time to prepare for Project for the Web retirement. Taking early action will help ensure a smooth transition. We recommend the following steps:
- Communication: Inform your teams about the upcoming changes and provide training on the new Planner.
- Testing: Try out the new Planner and become familiar with its features and capabilities.
You’ll also find a checklist for IT admins at the end of this article.
Want to Do More with Planner?
Microsoft Planner may not meet all your needs in a multi-project environment. If you’re looking to achieve more, TPG ProjectPowerPack – built on Microsoft’s Power Platform – offers a compelling solution for enhanced project, portfolio, and resource management.
TPG ProjectPowerPack enables deeply integrated, scalable control of complex project environments — all within the Microsoft 365 and Power Platform. It’s integrated with Project for the Web / Planner and extends their capabilities with proven best-practice methods.
Your Benefits with TPG ProjectPowerPack:
- Centralised, consolidated data across all projects
- Manage your project lifecycle workflows, risks, issues and more
- Features for PMOs, project managers, and executives
- Powerful reporting with Power BI – ready to use out of the box
- Fast deployment via preconfigured QuickStart best-practice processes
- Expandable via configuration and low-code customisation via the Power Platform
And finally…
The transition from Project for the Web to the new Microsoft Planner is set for August 2025. The updated app delivers a more modern user experience, enhanced functionality, further integration with Microsoft Teams, and built-in AI support (at additional cost).
Microsoft Planner offers a centralized platform for managing tasks and schedules. However, if your organisation needs more advanced capabilities for project, portfolio, and resource management, TPG ProjectPowerPack extends Planner’s foundation with a scalable, enterprise-ready solution built on Microsoft 365 and the Power Platform.
FAQ
1. Is Microsoft Project (Desktop) Being Discontinued?
No, Microsoft Project Desktop Client is not related to Project for the Web or Planner. This tool has been a proven solution for complex project planning for many years and, in its Professional version, can work with Project Online and Project Server. These tools continue to be supported by Microsoft (source). More on Microsoft PPM here.
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2. Which Microsoft 365 Apps and Features Are Affected besides Project for the Web?
Alongside the retirement of Project for the Web, the Project app and Roadmap tabs in Microsoft Teams will also be phased out.
Users who try to open the Project app in Teams will be automatically redirected to the new Planner experience.
Roadmaps: These will no longer be supported in Planner. Instead, users can recreate their Roadmaps using the new Portfolios feature in Planner. However, Portfolios will not support Azure DevOps or Project Online integration, and they cannot be pinned as tabs in Teams. Existing Roadmap data will remain accessible in Dataverse.
3. What About My Current Roadmaps?
Roadmaps will not be automatically migrated to the new Portfolio view in Planner. Users will need to manually recreate them. Custom integrations and Teams tab support — will no longer be available. Admins should test any custom fields and configurations during the transition.
4. How Are the New Planner Licenses and Prices Changing?
Microsoft is renaming its Project plans as part of the transition:
- Project Plan 1 → Planner Plan 1 (~$10 / user / month)
- Project Plan 3 → Planner + Project Plan 3 (~$30 / user / month)
- Project Plan 5 → Planner + Project Plan 5 (~$55 / user / month)
In terms of features and functionality, these plans remain equivalent to their previous versions (source).
5. Does Planner Support Multiple Dataverse Environments?
You can manage plans within non-default Dataverse environments with paid Planner SKUs (Planner Plan 1 / 3 / 5) (source).
6. Where Can I Find More Information from Microsoft about the Retirement of Project for the Web and the Transition to Planner?
A helpful overview of frequently asked questions about Microsoft Planner can be found on this page: Transitioning to Microsoft Planner and retiring Microsoft Project for the web | Microsoft Community Hub
Review List: Transitioning from Project for the Web to Planner
| 1 | Review Roadmaps & Timelines | Microsoft will retire Project for the Web, Project, and Roadmap tabs in Teams starting August 2025. | Message Center ID MC1068905 (mc.merill.net) |
| 2 | Migrate Roadmaps to “Portfolios” | Roadmaps will no longer be accessible after the cutoff; data remains in Dataverse but will only be visible via the new Portfolio view. | Support article: ‘Manage multiple plans with portfolios in Microsoft Planner’ (Microsoft Support) |
| 3 | Recreate Teams Tabs | Existing Project or Roadmap tabs will show a notification only. Re-pin the plans using the new Planner tab. | Guide: ‘Add Planner as a tab in Microsoft Teams’ (Microsoft Support) |
| 4 | Review License Mapping | Project plans are being renamed:
|
Microsoft Project / Planner FAQ |
| 5 | Review Admin Center Settings | All Project settings are moving to the new “Planner” section in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. | Message Center ID MC1068905 (mc.merill.net) |
| 6 | Non-Default Environments | From August 2025, Planner Premium will support plans from named Dataverse environments. Review permissions and policies. | Tech Community blog: ‘Transitioning to Planner…’ (Microsoft Community Hub) |
| 7 | Review Portfolios Feature | Portfolios replace Roadmaps; requires Planner + Project Plan 3 or 5. Enable the feature and test permissions. | Blog: ‘Manage multiple plans effortlessly with Portfolios’ (Microsoft Community Hub) |
| 8 | Review Power Automate Flows | Flows using Project Dataverse tables will still run, but triggers/actions should be reviewed and possibly updated to Planner or generic Dataverse events. | Dataverse Connector Overview for Power Automate (Microsoft Learn) |
Review list for transitioning from Project for the Web to Planner
Our final tips
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Author: Christopher Pond, Commercial & Technology Leader
Chris is a seasoned commercial and technology leader with a strong track record across Microsoft cloud technologies and strategic go-to-market execution. He has held leadership roles within high-growth Microsoft Partners and also worked at Microsoft as a Project Global Black Belt, where he supported enterprise customers with complex project and portfolio management (PPM) requirements.
With expertise spanning Power Platform, Microsoft 365, and modern workplace solutions, Chris specialises in developing propositions, building strategic alliances, and driving co-sell success with Microsoft. He is particularly focused on helping organisations scale through cloud services, automation, and intuitive product design.
Chris has successfully launched new service offerings in the UK public sector, driven SaaS adoption in regulated industries, and built high-performing commercial functions aligned to Microsoft’s priorities. Known for combining strategic thinking with practical delivery, he brings together marketing, sales, and product to deliver measurable business outcomes at TPG UK & Ireland.
Read more about Christopher on LinkedIn.
2 Comments
Based on Gartner, Microsoft Planner is among the top 2, i.e., it is promising, but for me I still like the old fashion way using MS Project, and old versions of EPM.
Thanks for your comment! It’s great to hear you’re still getting value from the classic MS Project and EPM approach — it’s a testament to how robust those tools have been over the years.
For those whose preference is detailed scheduling and control, tools like MS Project and Project Online still have their place — and solutions like TPG ProjectPowerPack and TPG Scheduler are designed to bridge both worlds, so organisations can modernise without losing the functionality they rely on.