Last Updated on March 18, 2024
While many project management software have been developed, Microsoft Office remains one of the most popular office software suites. It has effectively enhanced organizational efficiency for various businesses due to its range of functions, ease of access, and intuitive graphical user interface. As the package provides a comprehensive list of tools, ranging from word processing to spreadsheet management, it can be employed for multiple uses. Here’s how you can use Office365 for your project management:
Planning and Task Management
Planning a project right from the start allows you to organize your workflow, leading to a more productive workplace. Office 365 includes Microsoft SharePoint, which will enable you to create, delegate, and manage task lists. You can customize them with columns for subtasks, due dates, assigned members, priority levels, and custom comments for the designated person. You can view tasks as a simple list, timeline, or Gantt Chart to visualize the project’s progress better.
Microsoft Planner can also help you plan your project through its Kanban boards that use cards to depict work at different stages of a process. You can drag their cards into the appropriate columns (to do, in progress, completed) and visualize your project flow as you complete different tasks. Similarly, Microsoft Project allows advanced scheduling by defining task dependencies and creating detailed schedules. It also lets you manage your resources by assigning human and other resources to tasks and tracking their availability.
Collaboration
A project management team is only as strong as its communication channels. The different individuals in your project management team require an easy-to-use communication platform to collaborate on the task. Office 365 provides you with a solution in the form of Microsoft Teams, a central hub for your project where you can create different communication channels for all your sub-teams and control access. You can collaborate in real time on documents within teams and conduct online meetings or webinars whenever necessary.
Similarly, you can use Microsoft Outlook for email communication to keep everyone informed and aligned. The service allows you to create shared inboxes for project-specific communication. Here, you can easily create and share calendars specific to your project, allowing team members to view deadlines and meetings right in their inbox.
Integration of Other Services
You can integrate a third-party Project Management Office software or extension if Office 365 lacks the specific project-management features you need. Such integrations can fill any gaps in the functionalities and offer extra features, like time tracking or budgeting.
Integrations can connect seamlessly with Teams, SharePoint, and other Office tools, facilitating smooth data flow and eliminating the need to switch between different platforms. Streamlined data flow and centralized information management enhance project visibility and decision-making. It also lets your project management approach be flexible and tailor your project according to specific needs. Consequently, you can increase efficiency and make Office 365 your one-stop shop for all your project management needs.
Endnote
Office 365 is a popular office management tool, but few people know of its project management services. While the focus remains on its most commonly used tools like Word or Excel, other tools like Planner or SharePoint can improve your project management workflow by a mile. Integrating your project management services with Office 365 allows you to satisfy all your project management needs on one platform.
