Action Required! What You Need to Know about the Retirement of SharePoint & Project Online Workflows in April 2026

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On 2 April 2026, Microsoft will end support for SharePoint 2013 workflows – and this will directly impact Project Online (Source: Microsoft). If your organisation still relies on these Project Online workflows, now is the time to prepare. After 2 April 2026, essential features for managing project lifecycles will no longer be available.

What does this mean for your organisation – and what steps should you take next? Discover why migrating to a modern, future-ready solution built on the Power Platform is the smart move. You’ll find the answers in these sections:

Let’s get started!

The Impact on Project Online

Microsoft has not announced a retirement date for Project Online, yet the strategic direction is clear: development has effectively been on hold since 2020, apart from security updates. You can read more here: Project for the web and Project Online – Microsoft Support.

Microsoft continues to focus on modern solutions built on the Microsoft Power Platform alongside other Modern Work tools in Microsoft 365.

Components of the Power Platform (Source: Microsoft)
Image: Components of the Power Platform (Source: Microsoft)

Note: To stay up to date, you can regularly check the Microsoft Product Lifecycle. Project Online is not listed and should be considered under Project Online Desktop Client which remains supported and follows the Modern Lifecycle Policy. For Project 2024 (desktop) Professional & Standard, the retirement date is currently 9 October 2029.

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The retirement of SharePoint 2013 workflows will have significant implications for organisations that rely on them, and it also affects Project Online workflows.

What happens on the 2nd April 2026:

  • You will no longer be able to create and manage projects using phase / stage gate models in Project Online
  • Any add-ins based on classic SharePoint technology will also no longer be supported

Now is the time to upgrade to TPG’s future-ready platform – TPG ProjectPowerPack – that aligns with Microsoft’s long-term direction.

No Need to Panic: A Step-by-Step Guide to Upgrading

Chris Pond – formerly a Microsoft Global Black Belt – explains in the video below that there’s currently no need to make rushed decisions. He recommends a considered, step-by-step transition:

  • Project Online continues to be supported and is a proven planning tool for managing projects of all sizes – even without SharePoint workflows.
  • Microsoft’s Lifecycle Policy points out that they will provide at least 12 months’ notice before any retirement can take place.


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TPG The Project Group clients have options and some are opting for a hybrid strategy where they continue to use Project Online and Project Desktop for resource and schedule management – combined with modern workflow and portfolio capabilities on the Power Platform.

Project Online Workflows – Future-Proof Next-Generation PPM solution using a range of tools from Microsoft and TP
Image: Future-Proof Next-Generation PPM solution using a range of tools from Microsoft and TPG

Interested in integrating MS Project with Planner Basic? Learn more here.

TPG ProjectPowerPack: Your Upgrade from Project Online

You want a future-proof solution for your project and portfolio management (PPM) that offers more than Project Online – that means it’s time to get to know TPG ProjectPowerPack.

TPG ProjectPowerPack is built entirely on Microsoft’s Power Platform and offers:

  • Proven methods: status reports, risk & stakeholder management, resource planning, and more.
  • Fully configurable, including code-free workflows.
  • Supports multiple planning tools: Microsoft Planner, Microsoft Project / Online, TPG Scheduler
  • Bidirectional integration with Jira, Azure DevOps, Primavera P6 & SAP – plus other systems on demand
  • Reporting via Power BI
  • Ready for AI-driven planning and insights

Thanks to its modern architecture, TPG ProjectPowerPack is a logical upgrade from Project Online – offering flexibility to meet future requirements.

Its modular approach, combined with support for multiple planning tools, delivers another key advantage that – depending on your needs, project type, and complexity – you can opt for tools including Microsoft Planner Premium (formerly Project for the Web) and TPG Scheduler.

This means smaller, short-term projects no longer need to be managed in the more complex Project Online environment.

Project Online Worflows – Key Advantages of Upgrading from Project Online to TPG ProjectPowerPack (with Planner or TPG Scheduler as you planning tool)
Image: Key Advantages of Upgrading from Project Online to TPG ProjectPowerPack (with Planner or TPG Scheduler as you planning tool)

TPG has scheduled the webinar “Action Required! Future-Proof Your Project Online & SharePoint Workflows (Are Your Prepared for Microsoft’s April 2026 Changes?)” on 17 July 2025. Sign-up for the TPG Webinar today and learn:

  • What the end of SharePoint workflows from 2026 means to you and your organisation
  • How to successfully upgrade to the Power Platform
  • How to continue using your existing PM environment – without losing functionality
  • Why TPG ProjectPowerPack is a Next-Generation PPM app

 

Reading tip: Optimizing Task Planning in MS Project Environments (Tools)

Conclusion – Planning Your Upgrade: Your Next Actions

Project Online will one day be retired

Retirement of SharePoint workflows is the first step – while no further dates have been announced – Project Online retirement is only a matter of time. Microsoft’s direction is to move you and your organisation towards Power Platform.

What does this mean for you?

Acting now will gain you a strategic advantage. TPG can help you plan and move from your current environment to Next-Generation PPM.

With TPG ProjectPowerPack, you have access to a proven, scalable, and fully integrated solution built on the Microsoft Power Platform. It can be deployed in a hybrid approach alongside Project Online as your planning tool – making it easier to transition quickly to a future-ready project management environment.

Have questions or want to see TPG ProjectPowerPack in action?

Get in touch with us today.

Our final tips

Get to know the individually adaptable “PPM Paradise” – the optimal environment for your enterprise-wide project, program, portfolio and resource management. Download the eBook now (just click, no form).

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Will the upcoming retirement of Project Online workflows affect you? Let us know your questions in a comment below.

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Johann Strasser, The Project GroupJohann Strasser
Managing Partner at TPG

The certified engineer, has been a managing partner at TPG The Project Group since 2001. After many years as a development engineer in the automotive and energy sectors, Johann Strasser spent a decade as an independent trainer and consultant in the field of project management. During his tenure, he also served as project manager for software projects in the construction industry and provided scheduling and cost management support for large-scale construction projects. At TPG, he applies his expertise in product development and consulting services for international clients. His special focus is on PMO, project portfolios, hybrid project management, and resource management. For many years now, he has shared his knowledge through presentations, seminars, articles, and webinars.

Read more about Johann Strasser on LinkedIn.


Achim Schmidt-Sibeth
Senior Marketing Manager

After earning his engineering degree in environmental technology, he gained many years of experience in project management through his work at an engineering office, an equipment manufacturer, and a multimedia agency. Achim Schmidt-Sibeth and his team have been responsible for content, marketing and communication at TPG The Project Group for many years now.

Read more about Achim Schmidt-Sibeth on LinkedIn.

 

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