Microsoft Project Online retires September 30, 2026. For organisations still relying on this legacy platform, the countdown is officially on. This isn’t just a product retirement — it’s a strategic shift toward modern, integrated, AI-enabled project management across Microsoft 365.
This guide covers what is happening, key dates, recommended alternatives, Exco Partners migration approach and real-worl learnings from case studies.
Why Project Online Is Retiring
Project Online’s SharePoint-based architecture limits Microsoft’s ability to deliver modern capabilities like:
- AI-driven insights and forecasting
- Advanced reporting and analytics
- Automation and workflow orchestration
- Seamless integration with Microsoft 365
Microsoft now focuses on:
- Planner Premium – Task and project management with Gantt views, dependencies, and roadmap-level visibility
- Microsoft 365 Copilot – AI-driven planning, risk insights, and reporting
- Power Platform – Low-code automation, workflows, and advanced analytics
Key Dates to Remember
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| April 2026 | No new Project Online tenants provisioned |
| September 30, 2026 | Project Online becomes inaccessible; all data permanently lost |
Without migration, organisations risk losing years of project history.
Risks of Delaying Migration
- Data Loss - Historic projects, schedules, timesheets, and reporting disappear
- Broken Workflows - SharePoint 2013 workflows retire April 2026
- Higher Costs - Complexity increases 15–20% each quarter as deadlines approach
- Operational Disruption - Rushed migrations lead to avoidable downtime
What to Look for in a Replacement Solution
Prioritise a platform that offers:
- Deep Microsoft 365 integration
- Portfolio, program, and resource management capabilities
- AI-driven insights and reporting
- Modern UX to drive adoption
- Strong governance and configuration flexibility
Organisations often choose Planner Premium for task and project management, or OnePlan, a multi-award-winning enterprise solution offering comprehensive project, portfolio, and resource management capabilities.
Why OnePlan for Migration
OnePlan provides:
- Full capability coverage - Everything Project Online does, plus modern PPM features
- Portfolio, resource, and financial governance
- Native Microsoft 365 integration - Teams, Power BI, Azure DevOps, Power Platform
- Proven migration tools and frameworks
- AI and automation - Future-ready project and portfolio management
Why Exco Partners
Selecting the right implementation partner is as critical as the platform itself. Exco Partners delivers:
- Project Online → OnePlan migration specialists - Zero data loss across councils, government, and enterprise
- Microsoft-aligned and OnePlan certified - Best-practice configuration, governance, and integration
- Strong integration and data expertise - Smooth transition of core systems like financials, Power BI, and resource management
- Adoption-first delivery - Human-centred change, communications, and training
- Predictable, proven methodology - Structured seven-phase migration framework reduces risk and accelerates outcomes
Migration Overview
A high-level view of a structured migration approach:
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Assess Your Current State | Review users, projects, workflows, integrations, reports, and overall data quality. |
| Engage Stakeholders | Identify and align executive sponsors, PMO, IT, and business leads. Establish governance. |
| Define Future-State | Map business requirements to the target solution (e.g., OnePlan). Confirm integration needs. |
| Build the Migration Plan | Establish the timeline, migration approach, testing plan and rollback strategy. |
| Pilot & Validate | Run a pilot migration, validate data, test workflows and reporting, and conduct UAT. |
| Train Users | Deliver training, provide quick-start guides, and set up support channels. |
| Optimise | Monitor adoption, refine governance, and take advantage of new features and AI insights. |
Following a structured approach reduces risk, avoids operational disruption, and ensures a smoother transition.
Case Study Learnings
City of Stonnington
- Phased OnePlan implementation improved governance, financial control, and visibility across a $50M capital program
Lesson: Early engagement and tailored workflows accelerate adoption
EBOS Group
- Enterprise-wide visibility and better resource allocation via agile, iterative OnePlan rollout
Lesson: Sprint-based delivery and regular showcases ensure alignment and faster decision-making
Act Now: Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Migration demand will peak as the retirement deadline approaches. Early engagement ensures:
- Lower risk
- Avoided cost escalation
- Smooth, predictable transition
Next Step: Book a free migration readiness assessment to ensure your organisation is prepared.
Find out more: Project Online Is Retiring - Future-Proof Your PMO