Microsoft officially announced on 05 September 2025 that Project Online retirement will take place on 30 September 2026 (Source: “Microsoft Project Online is retiring”). From this date, users will have no access to their data and projects. For many organisations working with Project Online, this means an urgent decision: where to move next?
The good news: whether you still need the full power of Project Desktop, want to modernise your Project, Portfolio and Resource Management (PPRM) environment with the Microsoft Power Platform, or prefer a hybrid solution – there are three clear options we can recommend.
Read on to discover three options for future-proofing your PPRM environment without data loss and without disruption for your teams. These chapters await you:
- Why is Project Online being retired?
- Option 1: Migration to Microsoft Project Server SE with Project Desktop
- Option 2: Migration to PPRM tools based on the Microsoft Power Platform
- Option 3: Migration to a hybrid scenario
- Why choose TPG as your partner for the Project Online migration
- Free consultation on the end of Project Online
- Conclusion on the end of Project Online
- FAQ on the end of Project Online
Let’s get started!
Why Is Project Online Being Retired?
Microsoft is retiring Project Online because the service is based on an older, SharePoint-based architecture. The company wants to consolidate its project and task management solutions on a unified, modern platform centred on the new Planner, based on Power Platform / Dataverse, Copilot / Project Manager Agent, and Microsoft Teams integration. The old foundation limits new features as well as current and planned AI scenarios.
Attention: After 30/09/2026, your projects and data in Project Online will no longer be accessible. Therefore, back up your data in good time and migrate to suitable platforms such as Planner or Project Server SE to avoid data loss.
Microsoft recommends working with experienced partners who already provide mature solutions based on the Power Platform for migrating data from Project Online. TPG ProjectPowerPack is one of them.
Now to the three options for migration to other systems.
Wondering about alternatives? Read Microsoft project management tool overview.
Option 1: Migration to Microsoft Project Server SE with Project Desktop
If you still require the full capabilities of your Microsoft Project Desktop client for schedule, cost and resource management, migrating to Project Server SE (Subscription Edition) is the logical choice.
You can operate Project Server SE on premises, in co-location, or in Azure VMs. This way, your teams retain familiar functionality while moving to a long-term supported platform.
In addition, the TPG PSLink middleware, in combination with the Project Desktop client, enables integration with your enterprise systems, opening up new possibilities for data automation.
Option 2: Migration to PPRM tools based on the Microsoft Power Platform
For many organisations, the Project Online end of life is an opportunity to modernise. TPG ProjectPowerPack is based on the Microsoft Power Platform. This PPRM product is fully integrated into Microsoft Teams and Microsoft 365.
With TPG ProjectPowerPack you get:
- Advanced scheduling and resource management with TPG Scheduler and Resource Planner
- Integrated timesheets
- A flexible architecture with Power Apps, Power BI and Teams
- Enterprise integration (SAP, Primavera P6, Oracle, Azure DevOps, Jira and more) via TPG PSLink
- Scalable governance and reporting for PMOs, departments and portfolios
- AI-enabled assistance with Copilot and automation
TPG ProjectPowerPack combines the modern user experience of Microsoft tools with enterprise PPRM capabilities. It can therefore be seen as the natural successor to Project Online – a future-proof solution.
Option 3: Migration to a hybrid scenario with Project Server SE and Microsoft Power Platform
Some organisations need the best of both worlds. For this, we suggest the hybrid scenario. Here, they use Project Server SE for scheduling, cost and resource management. In addition, TPG ProjectPowerPack provides functions such as risk management, issue tracking, timesheets and much more.
This secures continuity for experienced project managers while introducing a modern platform for wider user groups – with Teams, Power Apps and intuitive dashboards.
“The Project Online EOL represents more than just a technological change. It’s a chance to evolve project management practices, remove legacy constraints and adopt tools that are more collaborative, intelligent and future-ready. TPG stands at the forefront of this change.”
Christopher Pond, Head of Client Solutions, TPG UK & Ireland
Why Choose TPG as Your Partner for the Project Online Migration?
TPG The Project Group has been a trusted name in Project, Portfolio and Resource Management for over 27 years. As a Microsoft Partner, our software solutions combine deep Microsoft expertise with proven proprietary PPRM and integration products, plus decades of experience in transformation projects.
We don’t just migrate your data – we advance your PPRM processes, modernise your tools and deliver measurable business value.
Free Consultation on the End of Project Online
Given the significant uncertainty expected among organisations using Project Online following Microsoft’s announcement, we are offering a free consultation with immediate effect. Here we discuss your current individual situation and migration options so that you have a clear idea of how to proceed.
If you are interested, please send an email to info@theprojectgroup.com with the subject “POL Retirement”.
Project Online Migration – Options on Video
Please see below the recording of the webinar from 9 September 2025 on this topic, including technical explanations and details on the migration options.
Conclusion on the End of Project Online
Following the announcement of Project Online retirement on 30 September 2026, you should act as soon as possible. The transition period is quite short at just one year. However, there are the three options TPG recommends:
- Migration to Microsoft Project Server SE with Project Desktop
- Migration to TPG ProjectPowerPack based on the Microsoft Power Platform
- Migration to a hybrid scenario
We are confident that within this short timeframe we can offer you a suitable alternative solution for your Project, Portfolio and Resource Management. Make use of our free consultation on Project Online migrations and / or take part in the following webinar.
FAQ on the End of Project Online
What exactly is being retired with Project Online?
Only Project Online will be retired on 30 September 2026. Not affected:
- Project Desktop
- Project Server Subscription Edition
- Microsoft Planner (basic and premium capabilities)
When will Project Online be retired?
- 01 October 2025: End of sale for Project-Online SKUs to new customers
- 30 September 2026: Project Online will no longer be reachable (official end date)
Will my projects in Project Online continue to work until then?
Yes. Existing customers can continue to use Project Online with full support until 30/09/2026. Projects, integrations and access will remain in place until then.
Why is Microsoft retiring Project Online?
The legacy architecture limits modern, AI-enabled scenarios. Microsoft is instead investing in Planner and the Project Manager Agent for intuitive, scalable and collaborative PM solutions.
What are my options after Project Online retirement?
- Project Server Subscription Edition
- Project Desktop (Standard 2024 or Professional 2024)
- TPG ProjectPowerPack
Can I continue to use Project Desktop?
Yes, the widely used Microsoft Project Desktop client is not affected by the end of Project Online and remains available. Microsoft has never mentioned an end date for it.
What happens to my data after shutdown?
From that date, your projects and data in Project Online will no longer be accessible. Back up your data in good time and migrate to Planner or Project Server SE to avoid data loss.
When can users no longer create new tenants?
From April 2026, existing customers will no longer be able to create new tenants.
What is happening to Project Server 2016 and 2019?
Both products reach Extended Support on 14 July 2026. We recommend an upgrade to Project Server Subscription Edition.
Where can I find further Microsoft information?
- Planner Adoption Page
- Microsoft 365 Roadmap
- Planner Blog and Project Blog
- Planner Help & Learning Pages
- Planner demos for best-practice usage in Microsoft Teams
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About the Autor
Christopher Pond,
Commercial & Technology Leader (TPG UK)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.
