When Microsoft announced the retirement of Project Online, many organizations immediately began planning their migration. Others quickly realized that migrating an enterprise work management platform is not something you can squeeze between other priorities.
If you are looking at the calendar and wondering whether you will be ready before the retirement deadline, you are not alone.
Microsoft is allowing eligible Project Online customers to apply for an extension beyond the retirement deadline.
The important part, and the part many organizations overlook, is that extensions are not automatic. Organizations must submit an application, demonstrate meaningful migration planning, and receive Microsoft’s approval before the deadline.
Before you assume an extension is your backup plan, here is what you need to know.
Can My Organization Get a Project Online Extension?
The short answer is: possibly.
Microsoft is reviewing extension requests on a case-by-case basis. Not every organization will qualify, and approval depends on more than simply requesting additional time.
Every organization is different. Some are navigating complex enterprise environments. Others are balancing budget cycles, resource constraints, competing priorities, or major organizational initiatives that have delayed migration planning.
The first step is understanding whether pursuing an extension makes sense for your situation.
If your organization is unsure where it stands, having that conversation now is far better than waiting until the deadline is only weeks away.
✨Need Help Determining Whether You Qualify?
Advisicon can assess your current environment, discuss your migration timeline, and help determine whether pursuing a Project Online extension is the right path for your organization.
How Much Additional Time Does an Extension Provide?
Eligible organizations may receive an extension through April 30, 2027, giving them additional time to complete their migration.
That extra time should not be viewed as an opportunity to postpone planning.
Instead, it is intended to give organizations enough runway to complete a thoughtful migration while reducing unnecessary business disruption.
A successful migration often involves much more than moving data. It can include evaluating replacement platforms, redesigning workflows, cleaning up years of legacy projects, training users, securing executive approval, and coordinating across multiple departments.
The goal is not simply to meet a deadline. It is to arrive on the right platform with a solution your organization can successfully support for years to come.
What Does Microsoft Want to See?
This is where many organizations have questions.
While Microsoft has established requirements for extension requests, approval is based on more than completing a form.
Organizations should be prepared to demonstrate that they have a realistic migration strategy, are actively working toward retirement, and have a practical plan for using the additional time effectively.
Simply requesting more time does not guarantee approval.
Because every environment is different, understanding whether your organization is likely to qualify is an important first step before beginning the application process.
When Should You Apply?
The answer is simple: as soon as possible.
Organizations should not wait until the retirement deadline is approaching before evaluating their options. Applications must be approved before September 30, and developing a strong request takes time.
Waiting also reduces your flexibility.
Executive approvals, migration planning, budgeting, and technical discovery all take time. Starting earlier gives your organization more options and reduces the risk of rushing important decisions.
Even if you ultimately determine that an extension is unnecessary, understanding your options now is far better than discovering them too late.
Why Work With Advisicon?
Submitting an extension request is only one part of the process.
A successful application begins with understanding your current Project Online environment, identifying the right migration path, and developing a plan that demonstrates meaningful progress.
Advisicon has spent more than 30 years helping organizations maximize Microsoft Project solutions. Our consultants understand Project Online, Planner Premium, Project Server Subscription Edition, enterprise portfolio management, and the migration strategies that connect them.
Our Project Online Extension Application Service includes:
- Extension eligibility review
- Discovery workshop
- Current environment assessment
- Migration strategy recommendations
- Detailed migration roadmap
- Microsoft extension application guidance
- Executive-ready documentation
- Assistance navigating Microsoft’s contacts and application process
Whether your organization ultimately moves to Planner Premium, Project Server Subscription Edition, Altus PPM, or another solution, our goal is to help you build a migration strategy that works for your business, not just your timeline.
Is It Time to Start the Conversation?
If any of the following sound familiar, now is the right time to reach out:
- Your Project Online migration will not be complete before the retirement deadline.
- You are still evaluating replacement platforms.
- Budget or staffing constraints have delayed your migration.
- You are unsure whether your organization qualifies for an extension.
- You need help building a practical migration roadmap.
