Microsoft Project offers an interface for project managers to plan projects and manage work. It allows project managers to assign tasks, allocate resources, and create reports with a full suite of project management workflows, including views (grid, board, timeline), co-authoring for editing and updating task lists, and pre-made reports to track progress. Roadmaps for multiple projects and program tracking are also available. It can even generate timesheets for payroll and invoicing logs. Microsoft Project is integrated with other Microsoft applications, including Office 365, Skype, and Sharepoint, all sharing a similar look and feel to make it more intuitive. People across all businesses and industries use Microsoft Project, including construction managers, startups, and government agencies.

Microsoft Project is not difficult to learn with the right resources. However, it is more involved than simpler programs like Microsoft Word in that it is a relational database, where a single project can potentially log hundreds of tasks and be distributed to different collaborators across single or multiple calendars. For example, a Microsoft Project Gantt chart is a living document, which needs to be continually updated based on task, deadline, and resource alignments. However, an advantage of Microsoft Project is that it can present the most complex of projects in a simple-to-read layout and help you understand how long a project should take, along with all of the dependencies between tasks.

There are many alternatives to Microsoft Project that offer a simple, easy-to-use interface. One popular alternative is Basecamp, which offers a similar interface using Gantt charts to view schedules, recurring tasks, roles, and project owners. It can also run across most platforms, including Mac, Android, Windows, and iPhone. Another commonly used option is Trello, which manages projects using a board and card format and a heavy drag and drop interface, a nice alternative to the more traditional Gantt chart. It can also accommodate third-party apps and plug-ins for more customized coding needs. Trello offers pretty powerful visuals, which some may find easier to read than Microsoft Project's Gantt charts. A third option is Smartsheet, which uses a spreadsheet-like interface and pre-built templates to track roles, assign tasks, and monitor all project activities. It's one of the more popular programs in use, with more than 40,000 businesses around the world using it.