Are You Paying Twice for Project Management Tools?
If you're already using Microsoft 365, you're likely paying twice for the same project management capabilities. The task tracking, visual boards, and collaboration features you need are already built in.
Welcome back to our series uncovering hidden value in your existing software subscriptions! This week: project management tools like Jira, Trello, Asana, and Monday.com.
Here's the reality — if you're already using Microsoft 365, you're likely paying twice for the same capabilities. For most teams managing internal projects, the task tracking, visual boards, and collaboration features you need are already built into your subscription.
Your Microsoft 365 PM Toolkit
Microsoft Planner: Your Visual Command Center
Planner delivers the Kanban-style boards that made Trello famous. Create visual plans with customizable buckets (To Do, In Progress, Complete), assign tasks with descriptions and file attachments, and get automatic charts showing progress and workload distribution. Every task syncs directly to Microsoft Teams and Outlook — no context switching required.
For teams needing Gantt charts and advanced timelines, Microsoft Project for the web is included in many business plans and integrates seamlessly with Planner.
Microsoft To Do: Personal Task Management
Every Planner assignment automatically appears in the assignee's To Do app, creating a unified task list that includes personal items, flagged emails, and meeting action items. The "My Day" feature helps your team focus on priorities, while mobile apps keep everyone productive anywhere.
Microsoft Loop: The Game-Changer
Loop is Microsoft's answer to modern collaboration. Create living project workspaces where teams collaborate in real-time on documents, tasks, and ideas. Loop components are portable — insert a task list or progress tracker into Teams, Outlook, or Word, update it once, and it updates everywhere automatically. Perfect for sprint planning, brainstorming, and project kickoffs.
Microsoft Teams: Where It All Connects
Create dedicated channels for each project and pin your Planner boards directly into the conversation. Assign tasks with "@" mentions right in chat, share files that automatically live in SharePoint, and let meeting recordings with AI transcripts capture every action item. Everything stays connected in one ecosystem.
Microsoft Lists: Flexible Tracking
Need custom databases for bug tracking, risk registers, or resource management? Lists provides structured tracking with conditional formatting, custom views, and Power Automate integration for automated workflows — all shareable across Teams and SharePoint.
The Integration Advantage
The core problem with using Jira or Monday alongside Microsoft 365 is constant context switching. Your team bounces between platforms, attaching OneDrive files to external tools and duplicating information across systems.
When you use the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, you get:
- Single Sign-On -- No extra passwords or IT overhead
- Unified Search -- Find everything through one interface
- Automatic Permissions -- Security groups work across all tools
- AI Intelligence -- Copilot can summarize projects and identify blockers
- Zero Extra Cost -- You already own these capabilities!
The Honest Truth
We'll be transparent: if you're running complex software development with advanced Jira workflows or need Monday.com's sophisticated automation, those platforms still add value. But most small-to-midsize teams aren't using 80% of those features. They need visual boards, task assignment, deadline tracking, and seamless collaboration — exactly what Microsoft 365 delivers.
Unlock Your ROI with Live Learning Co.
The tools are powerful, but only when your team knows how to use them. Our Microsoft 365 Project Management Training shows your team how to:
- Build integrated Planner + Teams + Loop workflows that rival standalone platforms
- Create automated task flows using Power Automate
- Design custom tracking solutions with Lists
- Master multi-tool productivity without the chaos
The result? Increased efficiency, reduced software spending, and better project outcomes — all using tools you already own.
Ready to Maximize Your Microsoft 365 Investment?
Stop paying for redundant functionality. Let Live Learning Co. transform your Microsoft 365 subscription into a world-class project management system.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation or book training for your team. Your ROI is waiting!
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