With Project Online retiring in September 2026, organizations are evaluating their next steps for enterprise project management.
Migrating from Project Online is no small task, especially for organizations managing complex projects, multiple teams, and integrated financial systems.
In our previous posts, we explored options like Planner Premium and Project Server Subscription Edition.
This post highlights Project Operations, Microsoft’s comprehensive solution designed to unify project management, resource planning, and financial management within the Dynamics 365 and Power Platform ecosystem.
What Is Project Operations?
Project Operations is built on Microsoft’s Power Platform and Dataverse, providing a single, integrated environment for managing projects, resources, finances, and sales. Unlike Project Online or Planner Premium, it is not simply a scheduling tool.
Project Operations combines project management, customer relationship management (CRM), resource management, and finance into a scalable enterprise platform that can grow with your organization.
A key advantage of Project Operations is its integration with the Planner Premium scheduling engine.
This allows teams to efficiently manage tasks, track dependencies, and assign resources while leveraging Microsoft’s AI and analytics capabilities.
Because it sits within the broader Microsoft ecosystem, Project Operations is also aligned with Power Platform automation and reporting tools such as Power Automate and Power BI, making it easier to extract insights, run what-if scenarios, and automate repetitive workflows.
Project Operations is especially effective for organizations with consulting teams, work crews, or asset-intensive operations.
It can handle everything from proposal tracking and resource bookings to timesheet management, cost tracking, and invoicing.
The system also supports collaboration across teams through Microsoft Teams and SharePoint integration, creating a connected environment for planning, executing, and monitoring work.
Key Strengths and Ideal Use Cases
Project Operations offers a deep set of capabilities for organizations that need more than a simple project management tool.
Some of its most notable strengths include:
- Advanced Resource Management
Track availability, bookings, and skill sets, then run what-if scenarios to optimize team assignments. This is particularly useful for organizations balancing multiple projects across shared resources. - Sales and Project Integration
Incorporate sales pipeline information into project planning to improve estimate accuracy and ensure proposals align with available resources and delivery timelines. - Financial Oversight
Built-in tracking for time, expenses, labor costs, burn rates, and invoicing allows finance teams to have real-time insight into project profitability. - Collaboration and Communication
Teams, SharePoint, and Dynamics 365 integration streamlines coordination across departments, ensuring project updates and documentation are centralized. - Low-Code/No-Code Configuration
Power Platform tools allow your organization to configure workflows, dashboards, and reports without heavy custom development.
Compared to Planner Premium, Project Operations provides a more comprehensive enterprise experience. Planner Premium is lightweight and task-focused, whereas Project Operations connects project management with finance, resource management, and sales.
Compared to Project Server Subscription Edition, it is cloud-native, tightly integrated with AI and analytics, and designed for faster deployment and ongoing scalability.
Considerations and Potential Challenges
While Project Operations is robust, it also comes with a higher level of complexity and requires thoughtful planning for implementation.
Organizations should weigh the following considerations:
- Implementation Effort
Configuration, process alignment, and stakeholder engagement are essential. Unlike lighter tools, Project Operations requires that teams define workflows, approval processes, and data management standards before going live. - Licensing Costs
Project Operations has a higher licensing cost than Planner Premium or Project Desktop. However, organizations may be able to reduce costs by consolidating third-party tools or overlapping systems. It is important to evaluate total cost of ownership, including potential integration with other Microsoft tools such as Power BI, Power Automate, and Dynamics 365 Finance. - Organizational Readiness
Advanced features such as resource optimization, cost modeling, and financial integration require trained staff and mature organizational processes. Organizations should consider whether they have the internal expertise to leverage these features fully or if outside support will be needed. - Integration Needs
While it integrates seamlessly with Dynamics 365 Finance, connecting to external ERP systems such as Oracle or PeopleSoft may require additional configuration. Understanding integration needs early can help avoid complications later. - Scope Management
Project Operations is a large-scale tool. Organizations should define which features are required and which can be phased in later. Enabling unnecessary features can complicate setup and increase the learning curve for teams.
Evaluating these considerations upfront ensures that the organization can implement Project Operations efficiently and derive maximum value from the platform.
Next Steps: Evaluating Project Operations
For organizations considering Project Operations, there are several practical steps to explore the solution before committing:
- Trial Environment
Microsoft offers a trial version that lets teams explore functionality, test workflows, and evaluate how the system aligns with existing processes. - Vision and Value Workshops
Mapping pain points, reviewing decision trees, and exploring potential configurations can clarify whether Project Operations fits your needs. - Bake-Offs or Demos
Conducting controlled trials or comparisons against other solutions can help determine the most suitable platform. - Training Investment
Teams with experience in Power Platform, Power BI, and Power Automate can configure and optimize Project Operations more effectively. Investing in training ensures that your staff can leverage the system fully without over-relying on external consultants. - Internal Alignment
Engage key stakeholders from project management, finance, sales, and operations early. Understanding their needs and workflows ensures that the system supports actual business processes rather than forcing teams to adapt to a rigid tool.
At Advisicon, we assist organizations at every step of this process, from exploring trials and conducting workshops to full-scale implementation.
Our goal is to help organizations choose the right migration path and realize the full value of Project Operations with minimal disruption.
Bottom Line
Project Operations is a robust, integrated platform for organizations ready to unify project management, resource planning, and financial oversight.
While it requires more planning and investment than lighter solutions, the platform offers a scalable, enterprise-grade system designed to support connected, AI-enabled workflows.
By carefully evaluating capabilities, organizational readiness, and integration needs, teams can select a migration path that delivers efficiency, visibility, and long-term value.
