When selecting the right project management software, teams often compare Microsoft Project and Jira for their specialized approaches to handling projects. Both are strong contenders for the title of the best project management software due to their robust functionalities and extensive features list.
Microsoft Project is highly regarded for its structures and traditional project management capabilities, offering robust tools for scheduling, resource management, and budget tracking. Conversely, Jira is celebrated for its Agile focus, which is ideal for iterative workflows that prioritize flexibility and adaptability in project tasks.
This guide explores each tool's strengths, comparing their core features, pricing, and unique benefits to help teams make an informed decision.
Key Takeaways
Microsoft Project
is best for conventional teams functioning within the MS ecosystem
Jira is best for Agile teams, especially in software development needing customizable workflows
Microsoft Project Vs. Jira: At A Glance
Features
Microsoft Project
Jira
Task Management
Structured for traditional methodologies with Gantt charts, task dependencies, and detailed scheduling tools
Optimized for Agile with Kanban and Scrum boards, customizable workflows
User Interface
User-interface is more traditional and feature-rich but is complex. Has multiple views, including grid and Gantt charts
User-interface is modern and intuitive, especially for Agile users. Software has customizable dashboards
Collaboration Tools
Integrates well with MS Teams and SharePoint for file sharing and team discussions
Built-in tools for commenting, file sharing, and @mentions; integrates with Confluence and Bitbucket
Customization
Supports custom fields, templates, and workflows, adaptable for various industries
High customization with flexible workflows, issue types, and filtered views tailored for Agile
Reporting
Comprehensive reporting with pivot tables, charts, and Power BI integration
Agile-focused reports with sprint analysis, burndown charts, and customizable dashboards
Time Tracking
Available but not as extensive without integrations; suited for simple tracking
Native time-tracking fields with detailed analysis; integrates with external time-tracking tools
Pricing
Subscription plans start at $10/user/month; on-premises versions available with one-time purchase
Free plan available for up to 10 users; paid plans start at $7.53/user/month
Customer Support
Microsoft support available through various channels, based on the plan chosen
Support includes documentation, community forums, and tech support in paid plans
Mobile Accessibility
Mobile app available but limited in functionality; suited for viewing and updates
Full-featured mobile app allowing task updates, sprint tracking, and real-time collaboration
Microsoft Project – Traditional Project Management
Microsoft Project (also known as MS Project) is a comprehensive project management software designed to assist teams and organizations in effectively planning, executing, and tracking projects. It is a part of the Microsoft 365 solution and integrates seamlessly with other MS applications.
These integrations enhance collaboration and productivity. MS Project is known for its robust features that cater to both simple and complex project management needs, enabling users to manage resources, timelines, and budgets efficiently.
Microsoft Project is a popular choice because of its powerful scheduling capabilities and its ability to handle intricate project timelines. It provides tools for creating Gantt charts and tracking progress, making it a preferred choice for project managers across various industries.
Key Features
Some of the software's key features include:
Dynamic Scheduling: MS Project allows users to create schedules that automatically adjust based on task dependencies and resource availability. This feature helps project managers visualize timelines and make necessary real-time adjustments as project variables change
Resource Management: The software includes advanced resource management tools that enable users to assign tasks to team members based on their availability and skill sets. This ensures optimal utilization of resources and helps in avoiding overallocation
Collaboration Tools: Integration with Microsoft Teams provides enhanced collaboration by allowing team members to share files, chat, and hold meetings directly on the platform. This feature also supports simultaneous updates on tasks by multiple users, fostering teamwork even in remote settings
Business Intelligence Dashboards: Users can create interactive dashboards using Power BI to visualize project data. The feature enables stakeholders to monitor project health at a glance and drill down into specifics for better decision-making
Customizable Workflows: MS Project supports automation through customizable workflows that can be tailored to fit specific project needs. Users can build workflows that streamline processes, reduce manual tasks, and improve efficiency
Pros
Some features of MS Project admired by users include:
Comprehensive scheduling and Gantt chart capabilities provide visual timeline management
Detailed reporting tools offer valuable insights for data-driven project management
Cons
Limited collaboration tools except those offered through third-party integrations
Less suited for Agile methodologies, as it is more optimized for traditional project management
Jira – Agile Project Management
Jira is a project management and issue-tracking software developed by Atlassian. It is widely used by teams to plan, track, and manage Agile software development projects.
Originally designed for bug tracking, Jira has evolved into a comprehensive tool that supports various project management methodologies, including Scrum and Kanban. It provides teams with the ability to create user stories, plan sprints, and distribute tasks across their teams.
Jira is best known for its robust capabilities in managing software development projects, particularly in Agile environments. Its flexibility allows teams to customize workflows and processes to fit their specific needs.
Key Features
Some features of the software include:
Agile Functionalities: Jira is extremely well suited for Agile methodologies with features like Scrum and Kanban boards. Teams can visualize their workflow, manage backlogs, and effectively conduct sprint planning
Custom Workflows: Users can create tailored workflows that reflect their team's processes. This includes defining statuses, transitions, and rules that govern how tasks move through different stages of completion
Issue-Tracking: Jira allows teams to create various types of issues, such as bugs, tasks, and stories, and track them throughout their lifecycle. Each issue can be assigned to team members, prioritized, and linked to other issues for better visibility
Reporting And Dashboards: The software offers customizable dashboards that provide insight into project progress through various reports. Teams can track key metrics such as velocity, burndown charts, and issue resolution times
Integration Capabilities: Jira integrates seamlessly with numerous third-party applications as well as other Atlassian tools. This enables teams to enhance their workflows by connecting Jira with tools for continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD), customer support, and more
Pros
Pros of using Jira software include:
Highly customizable workflows that can be tailored to specific project needs
Robust reporting options for Agile metrics such as sprint and burndown charts
Strong collaboration tools with native features, as well as integrations with Confluence and Bitbucket
Cons
Some users find its extensive customization overwhelming without proper onboarding
Limited built-in resource management tools compared to traditional PM software
Microsoft Project Vs. Jira: Features Comparison
1. Pricing Plans
Microsoft Project
Microsoft Project offers multiple pricing tiers with advanced features being provided in the higher plans. While not included in the MS 365 suite, Project can be purchased to add to an existing 365 subscription. The software offers both subscription plans as well as a one-time purchase. The three subscription plans are priced as follows:
Planner Plan 1: $10.00/user/month
Planner and Project Plan 3: $30.00/user/month
Planner and Project Plan 5: $55.00/user/month
The one-time purchase for on-premises project management solution is priced as follows:
Project Standard 2024: $679.99
Project Professional 2024: $1,129.99
Project Server: Custom pricing
Jira
Jira also has tiered plans, and unlike MS Project, it has a free plan for up to 10 users, with all paid plans having free trials. The free plan offers basic features such as reports and dashboards, 2GB of storage, unlimited goals, project tasks, and forms. Higher plans include user roles and permissions, Atlassian intelligence (AL), and cross-product insights with Atlassian Analytics and Data Lake. The tiers are priced as follows:
Free: $0 for up to 10 users
Standard: $7.53/user/month
Premium: $13.53/user/month
Enterprise: Custom Pricing
Winner: Jira takes this round due to the availability of a free plan and trials for each price tier. Microsoft Project's pricing can escalate quickly depending on the features required.
2. Task Management
Microsoft Project
MS Project excels in traditional task and project management due to its rich feature selection. The software has Gantt charts for visualizing project timelines, task dependencies that allow complex scheduling, and resource allocation features to assign tasks based on team ability and availability. Users can also create detailed task lists with deadlines, dependencies, and priorities. This ensures that all team members are aligned on their responsibilities and timelines.
Jira
Jira is primarily designed for Agile methodologies with features that facilitate this method of project management. The software provides real-time task tracking with customizable workflows and different issue types (bugs, stories) that can be tailored to project needs.
Jira also has Kanban and Scrum boards for visual task management. Users can also create tasks with detailed descriptions, assign them to team members, set due dates, and monitor progress through customizable boards. The ability to link tasks to larger projects or epics enhances visibility across initiatives.
Winner: This round ends in a tie. Depending on your team and management method, either software trumps the other. MS Project is better suited for traditional project management approaches. Jira, on the other hand, is optimized for Agile workflows.
3. User Interface
Microsoft Project
MS Project features a more traditional interface that may seem overwhelming due to its extensive functionalities. However, it provides various views in the form of grids, boards, and timelines that cater to different user preferences.
Jira
Jira offers a more modern and intuitive interface with customizable dashboards that enhance usability. Its focus on Agile methodologies allows users to navigate easily between different boards and tasks.
Winner: Jira wins this round since its interface is generally considered more user-friendly, especially for teams familiar with Agile practices.
4. Collaboration Tools
Microsoft Project
While not having built-in collaboration tools, Microsoft Project integrates seamlessly with MS Teams and SharePoint. These integrations facilitate real-time collaboration through file sharing and communication tools such as the chat and video call functions. Team members can leave comments directly on tasks to keep discussions centralized.
Jira
The Atlassian environment has robust collaboration between its products. Jira provides users with tools such as @mentions, commenting, file-sharing, and notifications. Its integration with Confluence allows it to keep track of documentation shared amongst team members, while the BitBucket integration is ideal for code repositories. These features allow teams to comment on issues and track progress in real-time.
Winner: This round goes to Jira since not only does it have integrated tools to help with collaboration, but it also has native features that facilitate communication between teams and members.
5. Customization
Microsoft Project
When it comes to customization, MS Project allows users to create custom fields and templates tailored to specific projects. This feature extends to dashboards and reports as well. The software's adaptability makes it suitable for a wide range of industries, and its flexibility enables teams to adapt the software to their unique workflows. However, MS Project is known to be complex, with its full functionality being quite hard to master.
Jira
Jira is highly customizable, with options to define issue types, workflows, fields, screens, and filtered views. Although it primarily functions as Agile software, Jira supports project methodologies beyond just Agile, making it versatile across different industries. Teams can easily tailor the software to fit their unique workflows without overcomplicating the process.
Winner: Jira generally offers greater customization capabilities than MS Project due to its flexible workflow options. It is also generally easier to navigate. Therefore, Jira takes this round.
6. Reporting
Microsoft Project
MS Project provides comprehensive reporting tools, including graphical reports, pivot tables, and dashboards that offer insights into project performance. The software allows project managers to generate detailed reports based on value metrics.
Jira
Jira features robust reporting capabilities with built-in reports for tracking progress over time, sprint reports, and burn-down charts. Users can also create custom reports based on specific criteria.
Winner: This round is also a tie. While both tools offer strong reporting functionalities, MS Project reporting may be more suited for traditional project management metrics. Jira, on the other hand, is more suitable for Agile workflows. People working with conventional methodologies such as Waterfall may find Jira's reporting tools lacking. The same might be true for smaller teams trying to carry out sprints in MS Project.
7. Integrations
Microsoft Project
The software integrates seamlessly with other Microsoft products such as Excel, SharePoint, and Teams. These integrations enhance productivity for organizations already using the Microsoft ecosystem.
Jira
Jira boasts extensive integrations with a wide range of third-party applications, including Slack, GitHub, Confluence, and many others through its marketplace. This feature makes it highly adaptable for various business needs.
Winner: In terms of integrations, Jira has the edge due to its extensive compatibility with numerous tools used in software development teams.
Microsoft Project Vs. Jira: Which Software Should You Choose?
Although it seems Jira comes at the top in every category, the choice between Microsoft Project and Jira depends on your team's project management style and unique needs. For organizations focused on traditional project management, where detailed scheduling and resource management are essential, Microsoft Project's structured features and compatibility with other Microsoft tools make it a valuable choice.
However, for teams that work within an Agile framework, Jira's focus on flexibility, real-time updates, and customizable workflows offers an environment that is highly adaptable to iterative project management. Consider your team's workflows, project complexity, and budget to select the platform that aligns best with your project goals and methodology.
If neither of these software programs interests you, our site has a wide selection of software to compare and choose from. Happy software hunting!
