what is office 365 business plan

Microsoft 365 Family vs Microsoft 365 Business: which is better for work?

Not sure whether to spend extra on corporate software? We weigh up Microsoft’s productivity possibilities

Most of us have been using apps like Word and Excel for decades, so it’s no surprise that productivity suites like Microsoft 365 are popular – they combine top tools and security features into easy, accessible packages.

If you’re not familiar with the range of Microsoft 365 options on the market, though, the range of options can be extremely confusing. It’s even trickier if you’re weighing up Microsoft’s various family and business plans.

And while it might seem odd to compare home and work products, the rise in freelancing and hybrid working means more people and companies are trying to figure out if they can use Microsoft 365 home products instead of a pricier business package.

Whether you’re a freelancer, an IT manager or a business owner, it’s worth weighing up Microsoft 365 Family and Microsoft 365 Business to find the best option for you – and that’s exactly what we’ve done.   

That’s not the end of our software support, either. We’ve delved into the best photo recovery apps and explored the best apps for managing your money .

Microsoft for Business can help identify your company's specific tech needs. Connect one-on-one with a business product expert by video chat or audio call. Book a consultation today.

Microsoft 365 Family: what do you get?

There’s no denying that Microsoft 365 Family offers great value. Pay $99.99 per year in the US or £79.99 in the UK and you get Word , Excel , PowerPoint , OneNote , Outlook and OneDrive . Users can run those apps on PCs, Macs, Android and iOS devices and on the web. Access and Publisher are available for PC users, too.

It’s huge versatility, and the impressive set of features doesn’t stop there. Each user gets 1TB of cloud storage so you can sync files across devices. Each user gets 50GB of space with their Outlook email address, and Family users can enjoy Microsoft Teams and Skype for easy communication.

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Elsewhere, conventional data protection comes from Microsoft Defender, and OneDrive incorporates ransomware detection and recovery services. There’s even a basic free video editing software and royalty-free templates, stock photos and stock videos.

If you need reliable, synchronized access to productivity tools, then the Home product makes loads of sense – especially if you want productivity software that your family can use. And with support for six users, the Family package is ideal for small businesses with relatively basic productivity needs.

There’s a great option if you’re self-employed, too: the Microsoft 365 Personal product only supports one user, but it only costs $69.99 or £59.99 per year.

Microsoft 365 Business: a better option?

There’s no doubt that Microsoft 365 Family is well-suited to anyone who needs relatively straightforward productivity and email tools, but if you run a business or handle corporate IT systems then you’ll find its limits very quickly.

If that’s the case, then you should consider Microsoft 365 Business instead. These products are more expensive, but they’re far more powerful.

Let’s start with Microsoft 365 Business Basic, which costs $6 or £4.50 per user per month. You get web versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook. You get Exchange, too, so you can use your domain name rather than Outlook. Each user gets 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage space alongside 50GB of email capacity.

The Basic product has more collaboration options, in-depth calendaring capabilities and a solid range of admin settings, and its tools also work on Android and iOS – just like in Microsoft 365 Family.

If you’d like to switch your business to downloadable apps rather than online versions, you can pay $8.25 or £7.90 for Microsoft 365 Apps for Business.

Upgrade to Microsoft 365 Business Standard and you get everything in Business Basic alongside downloadable apps and the ability to host webinars . You’ll also get more detailed options about how Microsoft controls and processes your data, which is perfect if you want to retain your existing domain.

Microsoft’s top option, 365 Business Premium, costs $22 or £16.60 per user per month. That’s pricey, but you get class-leading security and management features that you simply won’t find on any other Microsoft 365 product. It’s the best product here if you have a wider network that you need to manage and sensitive data that you have to protect.

The various Microsoft 365 Business products offer more than the Family and Personal tools. Even at the Basic level you get Exchange, and as you upgrade through the tiers then Microsoft adds enterprise-grade management and security abilities.

And, no matter which Microsoft 365 Business tool you purchase, you’ll be able to add 300 users to your system and allow each user to use Microsoft’s products across five different devices.

We can’t deny the increase in cost, though. When all the Business products charge per user and per month, those products will quickly become pricier than Microsoft 365 Family or Personal.

Which should you use?

The relatively high costs means that there are plenty of situations where Microsoft 365 Family will be your best option – even if you’re buying software for business use.

If you’re a small company that only has relatively basic productivity needs, for instance, then you can easily buy Microsoft 365 Family, grant access to five other employees, and enjoy web, mobile and PC-based access to crucial apps.

It’s also ideal for freelancers, people who need a product for their family, and many people who work from home.

Pretty soon, though, you’re going to hit the limits of Microsoft 365 Family, especially if you’re part of a growing business or if you operate in a larger team. If that’s the case, then you or your business should stump up for a Microsoft 365 Business product.

Exchange compatibility means you can use corporate email addresses, those tools support a broader number of users, and as you progress through the tiers you get better security and management options. In terms of protection, deployment and administration, there’s really no competition.

Ultimately, freelancers, sole traders and people who need basic productivity tools can certainly save money with Microsoft 365 Family, and that’s a great option if you want one package to cover home and work use. But if you have a larger business then you’ll almost certainly need the more robust security and management tools available from Microsoft’s proper corporate software. 

L ooking for a new laptop to WFH? Check out our best laptop for working from home

Mike has worked as a technology journalist for more than a decade and has written for most of the UK’s big technology titles alongside numerous global outlets. He loves PCs, laptops and any new hardware, and covers everything from the latest business trends to high-end gaming gear.

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Microsoft 365 Business Plans Compared

In April 2020 Microsoft changed the names of the Office 365 Business plans to Microsoft 365 Business. Before this name change, we had only Microsoft 365 Business, but now we have Business Basic, Business Standard, Business Premium, and Apps for Business.

Only the names have changed, the price and the features of the plans have stayed the same. In this article, we are going to take a look at the differences between the Microsoft 365 Business plans . We are going to start with a comparison table so you can quickly compare the most important details between the different plans.

Microsoft 365 for Business Plans Compared

In the table below you will find all the details of the Microsoft 365 business plans compared. You can find the prices for your country here at Microsoft.com . Keep in mind that all Business plans are limited to 300 users.

Note Microsoft added new plans without Teams wich are only available in the European Union. These plans are less expensive. Read everything about it in this article

Tip You can mix Microsoft 365 Business plans with Enterprise plans, so if you have more than 300 users, you buy Office 365 E3 plans for the other users.

Microsoft 365 Business Basic

The Microsoft 365 Business Basic plan, formerly known as Office 365 Business Essentials, is the perfect plan if you don’t work a lot in Word, Excel, or Outlook.

In the Business Basic plan, you don’t get the desktop apps , so you can’t install Word, Excel, Outlook, etc on your desktop. But you can use those applications online in your browser.

The browser versions of these apps work perfectly for light usage. Outlook Online is great to work with, it has all the important features just like the Outlook app. Word and Excel Online also work fine if you need to write an occasional letter or spreadsheet.

What makes the Business Basic plan so great is that you get Exchange Online with 50Gb mailboxes OneDrive and SharePoint. So you can use all the benefits of Office 365 (safely storing your data in the cloud, easily working together and sharing documents, etc.), for only $5 per month.

Microsoft 365 Business Standard

This is basically the default Microsoft 365 plan for small businesses ( hence the name 😉 ). Microsoft 365 Business Standard , formerly known as Office 365 Business Premium, contains everything a small business needs.

It comes with desktop apps so that you can install Outlook, Word, Excel, etc. on your desktops, and it comes with a lot of online business apps.

The desktop apps have of course a lot of advantages over the online versions, but the most important ones are that you can use add-ins (for your business applications for example) and macros . Something that is not possible with the online versions.

Business Standard comes with a couple of Online Business Applications that are only available in Standard and Premium.

• Outlook Customer Manager – a Lite CRM system based on Outlook
• Microsoft Teams Shifts – Built-in Microsoft Teams to plan shifts and tasks
• Microsoft Bookings
• Microsoft Invoicing

Microsoft 365 Business Premium

Business Premium is an original Microsoft 36 plan, it was formerly known as Microsoft 365 Business. It comes with everything that Business Standard has with the addition of a couple of security features/services and a Windows 10 Pro license.

Windows 10 Pro License

The Windows 10 Pro license is a pretty strange one compared to the other plans, so let me explain it a bit. Some of the advanced security features that come with Business Premium don’t work on older versions of Windows or on Windows 10 Home.

So to make full use of the security features, you get a Windows 10 Pro license. Now to be clear, you can only upgrade Windows 7 or 8 Pro to Windows 10 Pro. You can’t upgrade Windows 10 Home to Pro.

Advanced Security Features

The advanced security features help you to stay protected against cybersecurity threats. It protects you from phishing emails and ransomware.

Another important feature is the Azure Information Protection. If you are working with a lot of sensitive data, then you absolutely don’t want the data to be accidentally shared with others. With Information Protection you can classify, label, and encrypt data so it can’t be shared accidentally.

Keep in mind that settings up these features require some knowledge about Office 365, so it might be a good idea to get an IT/Office 365 Consultant to help you set it up correctly.

Microsoft Intune

The last important addition to this Premium Microsoft 365 Business plan is Intune. With Microsoft Intune, you can manage and protect your mobile devices. Keep in mind data mobile devices are easily getting lost or stolen, so you want to make sure that those are fully protected and easily can be wiped clean when lost.

Microsoft 365 Apps for Business

This plan doesn’t really belong here in this comparison, but I have put it in because of the name and the confusion it might cause. You should actually really compare this plan with just buying Office 2019 in my opinion.

Basically, Apps for Business is only the Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) with the advantage that you also get Online versions, continuous updates, and 1Tb OneDrive storage. But you don’t get SharePoint or Exchange Online.

So you will have to host your email somewhere else, store your files locally (or in OneDrive) and you won’t get any of the advantages of Office 365.

The Microsoft 365 Business Standard plan is for most businesses the best plan to choose. It comes with the Office apps, and all the cloud features and it’s reasonably priced. If you are still in doubt, you can always start with a trial of Business Standard .

Make sure you also check the following articles:

• Microsoft 365 Business Standard vs Office 365 E3
• Office 365 Branding
• Setup Multi-Factor Authentication in Office 365

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5 thoughts on “microsoft 365 business plans compared”.

M365 Business Premium comes with Windows 10 Business, not Pro. Win 10 Pro is a requirement for Business.

Hi Can M365BP be combine with M365Standard or basic after BP has exceed the 300 limit ?

So 300MBP and 50MBS and so on.

Yes, that is possible.

your statement on Win 10 pro is wrong. Premium CANNOT upgrade a home to pro. I asked microsoft directly to confirm.

“Windows 10 Pro License The Windows 10 Pro license is a pretty strange one compared to the other plans, so let me explain it a bit. Some of the advanced security features that come with Business Premium don’t work on Windows 10 Home. In small companies, you see more Windows 10 Home devices, because people are using a (former) personal device or buy the more affordable computers with Windows 10 Home on it.

So to make full use of the security features, you get a Windows 10 Pro license. Installing it is pretty simple, all you need to do is change the license key and your Windows 10 Home installation will be upgraded to Pro.”

You are correct. I have updated the article.

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Maximize the everyday

• For business

Save 16% when you pay yearly for Microsoft 365

• Paid yearly
• Paid monthly

Microsoft 365 Family

• For one to six people
• Sign in to five devices at once
• Use on PCs, Macs, phones, and tablets
• Up to 6 TB of secure cloud storage
• Apps with premium features and offline access
• Identity, 1 data, and device security
• Ad-free secure email

Microsoft 365 Personal

• For one person
• 1 TB of cloud storage

Subscription automatically renews. Cancel anytime to stop future charges. 2 Already have a subscription?

Explore even more benefits of Microsoft 365 

Simplify your online security

Keep you and your family safer online with continuous monitoring for threats, real-time alerts, tips, and expert guidance from Microsoft Defender.

Powerful productivity apps

Use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to collaborate in real time or work offline. 

Trusted storage for priceless memories

Quickly save, share, and edit your photos and files with OneDrive and Microsoft 365.

Make the most of your day

With Outlook as command central, you can spend less time organizing your life and more time enjoying it.

All your ideas in one place

Capture inspiration in text, audio, photos, and videos to create your next big idea with OneNote.

Tell your story, your way

Easily turn captured memories into beautiful videos with Clipchamp and Microsoft 365.

Compare Microsoft 365 with Office

Office home & student 2021.

Save with an annual subscription

Switch to an annual subscription and enjoy the full power of Microsoft 365 for less than paying monthly.

Office Home & Business 2021

• One-time purchase for 1 PC or Mac
• Classic 2021 versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Access to support experts

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between office 2021 (one-time purchase) and microsoft 365 (subscription).

Office 2021 is sold as a one-time purchase, which means you pay a single, up-front cost to get Office apps for one computer. One-time purchases are available for both PCs and Macs. However, there are no upgrade options, which means if you plan to upgrade to the next major release, you'll have to buy it at full price.

Microsoft 365 is a subscription that includes the most collaborative, up-to-date features in one seamless, integrated experience. Microsoft 365 includes the robust Office desktop apps that you’re familiar with, like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. You also get extra online storage and cloud-connected features that let you collaborate on files in real time. With a subscription, you'll always have the latest features, fixes, and security updates along with ongoing tech support at no extra cost. You can choose to pay for your subscription on a monthly or yearly basis, and the Microsoft 365 Family plan lets you share your subscription with your family for up to 6 people, and use your apps on multiple PCs, Macs, tablets, and phones.

How do I know if my PC or Mac can run Microsoft 365?

Will microsoft 365 be identical on a pc and on a mac, do i keep control of my documents with a microsoft 365 subscription, is internet access required for microsoft 365.

Internet access is required to install and activate all the latest releases of apps and services included in all Microsoft 365 subscription plans. Note that if you are an existing subscriber, you do not need to reinstall or purchase another subscription.

For Microsoft 365 plans, Internet access is also needed to manage your subscription account, for example to install Office apps on other PCs or to change billing options. Internet access is also required to access documents stored on OneDrive, unless you install the  OneDrive desktop app .

You should also connect to the Internet regularly to keep your version of Microsoft 365 up to date and to benefit from automatic upgrades. If you do not connect to the Internet at least every 31 days, your apps will go into reduced functionality mode, which means that you can view or print your documents but cannot edit the documents or create new ones. To reactivate your apps, simply reconnect to the Internet.

You do not need to be connected to the Internet to use the Office apps, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, because the apps are fully installed on your computer.

What is a Microsoft account and why do I need it for Microsoft 365?

Your Microsoft account is the combination of an email address and password that you use to sign in to services like OneDrive, Xbox LIVE, and Outlook.com. If you use any of these services, you already have a Microsoft account that you can use or you can create a new account.  Learn more about a Microsoft account .

As part of signing up for a trial or purchasing Microsoft 365, you will be prompted to sign in with a Microsoft account. You must be signed in with this account to install and manage your Microsoft 365 subscription, or to use some subscription benefits, including cloud storage.

How many people can use a Microsoft 365 subscription?

How do i share my subscription benefits with members of my family, if i’m not paying for a subscription, what do i get for free, what is microsoft defender, what is the difference between microsoft defender and windows security.

Microsoft Defender is a new cross-device app that helps people and families stay safer online. Microsoft Defender adds new features and a simplified, user interface. Microsoft Defender also brings valuable device protection to iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac, with malware protection, web protection, real-time security notifications, and security tips. 1,2 Microsoft Defender is available in the Apple, Google, and Microsoft app stores and requires a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription to use.

Windows Security, formerly known as Windows Defender Security Center, is built-in security on Windows PCs to protect your device and data. Windows Security is pre-installed and automatically enabled. Windows Security includes Microsoft Defender Antivirus software that protects your Windows device and data against viruses, ransomware, trojans, and other malware unless non-Microsoft Antivirus software is active.

What is Clipchamp?

• App availability varies by device/language. Features vary by platform.
• Features and app availability may vary by region.
• [1] Identity theft monitoring is only available in the United States and US territories.
• [2] You can cancel online by visiting the Microsoft Account site . Sign in with the Microsoft account that you used to buy your subscription, and then turn off recurring billing. Then, your subscription will automatically expire when your remaining subscription time is up. For details, see “ How to cancel your Microsoft subscription ” at the Microsoft Support site .

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Microsoft 365 Business Premium – productivity and cybersecurity for small business

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Microsoft 365 Business Premium—with its world class productivity and cybersecurity capabilities—is a wise choice for small and medium-sized businesses. Designed for small and medium-sized businesses (up to 300 users), Microsoft 365 Business Premium helps safeguard your data, devices, and information.

You are your organization's first and best defense against hackers and cyberattackers, including random individuals, organized crime, or highly sophisticated nation states. The task before you is this: let Microsoft 365 Business Premium help secure your organization's future! Approach this task by taking on the following six goals:

Completing all six goals is the most effective way to thwart hackers, protect against ransomware, and help ensure your organization's future is safeguarded with the best cybersecurity defenses.

Let's get started!

Cybersecurity playbook

The guidance in these goals is based upon the Zero Trust security model , and is summarized in a downloadable Cybersecurity playbook .

Proceed to Sign in and set up Microsoft 365 Business Premium .

See What's new in Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Microsoft Defender for Business

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Additional resources

Microsoft 365 Business VS. Enterprise: A Detailed Comparison

As businesses of all sizes become increasingly reliant on technology, the choice of software becomes a crucial factor in determining their success. For many organizations, Microsoft 365 has become the go-to solution for productivity and collaboration needs.

Table of Contents

What is Microsoft 365?

Microsoft 365 has revolutionized the way businesses operate, offering a subscription-based service that provides access to the complete suite of Office applications , alongside advanced enterprise business services such as Exchange Online and SharePoint Online.

Microsoft 365 Business

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Microsoft 365 Business is a powerful suite of tools and services designed to help Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMBs) streamline their operations and increase productivity.

Microsoft 365 Business comes in three different pricing plans, each tailored to suit different business needs. The Business Basic plan offers access to essential Office apps, email and calendar services, and OneDrive storage.

Microsoft 365 Enterprise

Microsoft 365 Enterprise is a cloud-based productivity suite that brings together a range of Microsoft applications and services to help businesses of all sizes to work smarter, collaborate more effectively, and stay secure in the digital age.

Microsoft 365 Enterprise also provides advanced security and compliance features to help businesses protect their data and stay compliant with industry regulations. This includes advanced threat protection, data loss prevention, and encryption capabilities, as well as compliance features like eDiscovery and legal hold.

Key Differences in Microsoft 365 Business and Enterprise

Compatibility

Whereas, Microsoft 365 Enterprise plans require each user to have specific licensing requirements. This includes being licensed for Windows 10 or 11 Enterprise , as well as having licenses for Microsoft Endpoint Manager and Azure AD P1. These licensing requirements are essential to ensure full access to all enterprise features and functionalities.

For Microsoft 365 Business plans, device management is somewhat limited. The Microsoft Admin Center allows for the assignment and unassignment of cloud PC licenses, while some device management is possible through Microsoft Endpoint Manager with an Intune license. However, cloud PCs are not visible in the Windows 365 blade.

Microsoft 365 Business or Enterprise: Which One to Select

However, if you need local desktop installations for Office programs or require advanced security controls, an Enterprise plan may be more appropriate for your needs. An Enterprise plan would also only be considered if the size of your organization exceeds 300 users.

So, take the time to evaluate your needs, explore the available options, and make the right decision for your business. With Microsoft, you can be confident that you’re getting the best tools and services to help your business thrive.

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What is Microsoft 365? Here's what you need to know about the subscription service to Word, Excel, and other Microsoft programs

• Microsoft 365 is a subscription-based evolution of Microsoft Office, featuring familiar programs, like Word and Excel, but with additional features.
• There are different tiers of Microsoft 365 plans suited for different needs, like business, personal, and family plans.

You've likely heard of Microsoft Office , which consists of workplace applications, including the widely used Microsoft Word program.

What you may not realize is that Word and other Office programs — Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote — are also a part of Microsoft 365 .

Making a one-time purchase of Microsoft Office is still an option to anyone who wants access to the suite of programs. However, you might want to opt for Microsoft 365 instead, which is structured as a paid monthly subscription plan and features myriad perks not included with Office, including cloud-based productivity tools and artificial intelligence capabilities. 

Here's a little bit more about Microsoft 365, how it differs from its predecessor, and how you can sign up.

What to know about Microsoft 365

Some of Microsoft's subscription-based services were formerly known as Office 365.

In April 2020, Microsoft rebranded all of those services to Microsoft 365 to help differentiate its subscription service from the traditional Office-branded Microsoft program packages.

Microsoft 365 offers special additions to its classic Office apps as well as access to more programs, like OneDrive. Even a basic Microsoft 365 personal plan gives you access to premium versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, which Office doesn't offer.  

You also get access to advanced tools and features like Microsoft Editor to help edit your writing; the financial planning tool, Microsoft Money in Excel; and OneDrive, Microsoft's cloud storage that allows for ease of collaboration in real time.

There's also a slew of other smart perks in Microsoft 365: You can get focused help on your resume with Word's Resume Assistant, or help with your next presentation with the PowerPoint Presenter Coach.

Again, these are benefits you won't see with a basic Office purchase, and you can get them all with a Microsoft 365 plan for home, which has two tiers.

As the 365 plans move up in tiers, there are added security and business tools available. For instance, appointment manager Microsoft Bookings is available in the Standard and Premium versions of Microsoft 365, but not the Basic, and only the Premium tier of Microsoft 365 Business grants you access to mobile-device manager Intune and Azure Information Protection.

If you can't decide on a business plan, Microsoft can help you determine what plan best fits your business , and you can back out before the one-month free trial ends.

Related coverage from  Tech Reference :

How to get the microsoft office suite on your iphone and use certain apps for free, what is onenote how microsoft's note-taking app can help you organize your work, how to get all of the microsoft office suite apps on an android device for free or with a paid subscription, what is microsoft teams here's what you need to know about the workplace communication tool, what is microsoft authenticator here's what you need to know about the two-factor authentication app that can secure your online accounts.

• Main content

Microsoft 365 License Comparison: Business Plans Vs. E5, E3, and E1

Price comparison for microsoft office 365 business plans and enterprise licenses, how microsoft 365 enterprise, microsoft 365 business, and office 365 enterprise plans differ, viva insights, microsoft 365 enterprise licenses, microsoft 365 e5, microsoft 365 e3, microsoft 365 f3, microsoft 365 f1, microsoft 365 business licenses, microsoft 365 business premium, microsoft 365 business standard, microsoft 365 business basic, microsoft 365 apps licenses, microsoft 365 apps for enterprise, microsoft 365 apps for business, office 365 enterprise licenses, office 365 enterprise e5, office 365 enterprise e3, the microsoft 365 business premium plan is most comparable to the enterprise e3 plan in terms of base features., office 365 enterprise e1, here’s how office 365 enterprise e1 differs from business premium:, office 365 enterprise f3, have questions about which microsoft 365 license is right for your organization request a quote to see how much you can save..

Choosing the correct Microsoft 365 licensing is an important step for every business, especially organizations in the cloud. Microsoft offers tiered solutions for small, medium, and enterprise sized businesses. While this allows companies to right-size licensing to their specific needs, it can also create confusion about which license is the right one. This blog will highlight the differences between Office 365 and Microsoft 365 products so you can make an informed decision.

Learn more about:

• Microsoft Licensing Changes in 2022 - The New Commerce Experience
• Microsoft Government Licensing
• Office 365 Educational Licensing
• Microsoft GCC and GCC High Licensing
• Microsoft Front Line Worker (F1 & F3) Licensing

When comparing Microsoft 365 licenses, price is one of the first questions decision-makers consider. Below are the prices for Microsoft 365 Business, Microsoft 365 Enterprise, and Office 365 Enterprise licenses. As of April 1st, 2024, Microsoft Teams is no longer included in Microsoft 365 and Office 365 licensing but is available as a standalone purchase. When comparing Microsoft 365 licenses, price is one of the first questions decision-makers consider. Below are the annual prices for Microsoft 365 Business, Microsoft 365 Enterprise, and Office 365 licenses:

• Prices assume a monthly payment with an annual agreement. Month-to-month licenses are available at a premium. Read more at Microsoft New Commerce Experience .

The base price per user for Microsoft 365 Business and Enterprise Plans ranges from $4.80 to $54.80, and that can quickly add up for larger organizations. That said, companies that utilize capabilities such as Rights Management or cloud PBX may save money by bundling these services into their licensing. Cost savings can be immense for businesses that purchase third party tools for Anti-Virus, eDiscovery, MFA, SIEM.

Many people use Microsoft 365 and Office 365 interchangeably; however, these are markedly different products. Office 365 is Microsoft’s productivity suite and includes the core applications most think of when they think of Microsoft: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more. It is also only one of three suites included in a Microsoft 365 license.

Microsoft 365 licenses are available as Enterprise or Business licenses. Microsoft 365 Enterprise licenses bundle three suites—Office 365, Enterprise Mobility and Security, and Windows Enterprise—at different levels (E5, E3, F3, F1). Some Microsoft 365 Business licenses include all three suites but are generally more limited in features. Additionally, Microsoft 365 Business licenses have a per license cap of 300 users per tenant.

Note on GoDaddy’s Microsoft 365: We strongly discourage purchasing Microsoft 365 or Office 365 from GoDaddy due to hidden costs, and lack of feature availability. To learn more, read our blog on Migrating from GoDaddy Office 365 to Microsoft Office 365 .

Here are some major features you gain with Office 365 Enterprise plans:

• Advanced Information Protection
• Advanced Threat Protection
• Active Directory integration
• Litigation Hold
• Unlimited archive and mail storage

Microsoft 365 Enterprise is a suite that includes Office 365, Enterprise Mobility and Security, and Windows Enterprise. Microsoft 365 Enterprise gives you the enterprise security and compliance features you need, while providing cost savings through vendor consolidation, reduced management, and training overhead.

Due to its cost, the Microsoft 365 E5 license is often positioned as a luxury license for companies that want advanced security and compliance capabilities, along with automated features. The reality is that most IT teams are overworked and understaffed, at a time when cyberattacks are increasing exponentially.

Even if employees aren’t working from home, internet connectivity makes every company a potential global target and enables intellectual property to flow freely out of any unsecured environment. IT personnel are tasked with supporting business critical operations and protecting the organization from external and internal threat actors, a responsibility that’s only getting more challenging with shrinking budgets and workforce reductions.

At a minimum, we recommend having Microsoft 365 E5 licenses in place for anyone with far-reaching environment access, but strongly encourage companies to consider the business impact a breach will impose when, not if, one occurs.

| Advanced Compliance | Advanced eDiscovery | | Audio Conferencing | | Azure Advanced Threat protection | | Customer Lockbox | | Data Governance | | Everything in Enterprise Mobility and Security (EMS) E3+ | | Everything in Office 365 E3 + | | Everything in Windows 11 Enterprise E3+ | | Exchange Threat Detection | | Integrated Phone System | | Intelligent data classification and licensing Microsoft Cloud App Security | | Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection | | Office 365 Advanced Threat Protection | | Risk based conditional access |

Microsoft 365 E3 brings together best-in-productivity and collaboration with Office 365 Enterprise E3, Enterprise Mobility and Security E3 and Windows 11 E3.

Microsoft’s Frontline licensing is an alternative for users that need to have a digital presence in the tenant but are not but are not spending their days creating or consuming data within the environment. Frontline users may not work at a desk, but still require matching security and compliance capabilities. As such, the Microsoft 365 F3 license includes the full Enterprise Mobility and Security E3 suite but has very deprecated productivity applications and reduced storage allocations.

For organizations with regulatory requirements, the Microsoft 365 F5 Security and Compliance Add-On raises the security and compliance features in line with a Microsoft 365 E5 license while maintaining reduced productivity capabilities and storage allotments.

Microsoft 365 Business plans were created for small businesses that might not need all the features Enterprise Microsoft 365 and Office 365 offer. Microsoft 365 Business has a per license cap of 300 users per tenant.

The most powerful Microsoft Business Suite without going for full enterprise plans, Microsoft 365 Business premium takes all of the features of Microsoft 365 Business Standard and rolls in industry leading advanced security features, including Advance Threat Protection against zero-days, ransomware, malware, the ability to selectively wipe company data from mobile devices with Intune, Restrict copying and saving of company information on mobile devices, apply document restrictions and provide unlimited archiving.

Formerly Office 365 Business Premium, Microsoft 365 Business Standard adds critical small business tools such as Microsoft Bookings to allows customers to schedule appointments, and Mile IQ for real-time mileage tracking from your mobile devices.

Looking to get basic Microsoft 365 functionality? Microsoft 365 Business Basic offers business email with 50 GB mailbox storage, custom email domain, and web versions of essential Office 365 applications like Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Here’s what you need to know about the Business Essentials license:

(Previously Office 365 ProPlus): Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise offers option for users who don’t need email but want Office 365 applications.

Microsoft 365 Apps for business (formerly Office 365 business) provides up to 300 users with automatically updated editions of the most used Office desktop applications.

Office 365 Enterprise is Microsoft’s productivity suite and includes the core applications most think of when they think of Microsoft: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more. It is also only one of three suites included in a Microsoft 365 license. Unlike Microsoft 365 Enterprise licenses, which bundle three suites—Office 365, Enterprise Mobility and Security, and Windows Enterprise—Office 365 Enterprise licenses lack the security and operating system tiers.

Building off the E1 and E3 business plans, Office 365 E5 is the highest tier Microsoft offers. With this license, you gain Audio Conferencing, Phone System, Power BI pro, Customer Lockbox, and Microsoft Cloud App Security:

The E3 license is one of the more popular options for digital-driven businesses. With E3, you gain desktop apps, You gain email, archiving, information protection and more storage options. Additionally, you gain Intune for device management and Azure Information Protection (plan 1) for data loss protection.

Here’s what’s included in E3:

• Exchange Online Archiving (EOA) and Legal Hold
• Unified eDiscovery Center
• Rights management, data loss prevention and encryption
• Ability to add on PSTN

E1 is the least expensive Enterprise plan. Here’s what you get with the E1 license:

• With E1, you can only access email via the online application.
• With E1, you lose desktop versions of Office applications. You must use the online versions of Outlook and other Office applications like Word or PowerPoint online.

Ideal for line workers, drivers, retail staff, Office 365 F3 is focused on workers who do not spend much time in front of a computer. Including popular office apps for web and mobile devices, including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint.

If any license doesn’t suit your needs, you can also add on specific features via add-on licensing. But often, the cost of upgrading is cheaper than ballooning a license with monthly add-on charges. (Read more about add-ons here .) You can also mix and match licenses depending on user needs to better control costs.

Agile IT’s cloud licensing services make it easy to purchase, transfer, and manage your licenses. As your cloud solutions provider, Agile IT handles all billing and subscriptions for your Office 365 products. You continue paying Microsoft the monthly license fee, and we take care of the rest.

Published on: May 22, 2024 .

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Enable two-factor authentication, install office apps on your phone, explore additional perks that you get, backup your data with onedrive, set up office apps, try out the copilot integration.

A Microsoft 365 subscription can transform how you work, save data, and collaborate. It can boost your productivity and improve work efficiency. To help you make the most of your subscription, here is a list of important actions you should take right now if you've recently subscribed for the first time.

Given that you'll likely start using Microsoft Office products more frequently and store important data on OneDrive, you should enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) and add an extra layer of security to your Microsoft account. Once 2FA is set up, you won't be able to log in with just your password. You'll also need to verify your identity using a second method.

This can be a confirmation code sent to your email or phone number, a Windows Hello sign-in or PIN, or a code from the Microsoft Authenticator app. These measures make it harder for hackers to access your account, even if your password is compromised. To set up 2FA, go to the Microsoft website and log in to your Microsoft account.

Then, head to the “Security” tab and click on “Two-Step Verification.”

After that, navigate to the Additional Security section and click on the "Turn On" link under Two-Step Verification.

Then, follow the onscreen instructions to choose a method for the second step of verification and complete the process.

By installing Office apps on your phone, you can access and edit your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations on the go. With file syncing across devices, you can continue your work from where you left off on your laptop. If you regularly collaborate with colleagues or classmates, you can track changes directly from your phone.

In situations where using a laptop is impractical, like during meetings or commuting, you can still access your files. You can quickly check incoming emails without needing to open your computer. Additionally, some features, such as scanning pages, are exclusive to the Office smartphone applications.

You can also take advantage of voice-to-text capabilities for better dictation , annotate documents with touch, and perform tasks like archiving emails using touch gestures in Outlook. For all these reasons, I recommend installing Office applications on your phone before moving forward.

While you might have subscribed to Microsoft 365 primarily for Office applications, several additional perks can enhance your experience and productivity. You get file storage in Personal Vault for confidential files , 60 free Skype minutes per month for calling landlines or mobile numbers, and extra OneDrive cloud storage for backing up your data.

Also, you gain access to premium templates that streamline document creation in Office applications, and the Microsoft Defender app to monitor and protect your device’s security. You also benefit from call-back technical support from experienced Microsoft representatives and advanced features in Microsoft Editor and Copilot.

All these extra features can significantly boost your work efficiency, so it's worth exploring them to utilize your subscription fully.

With a Microsoft 365 subscription, you get more storage space than the 5GB limit on the free plan, making it ideal for backing up your device data to OneDrive . This cloud storage solution keeps your data safe and accessible from anywhere. Also, real-time syncing ensures your documents are always up-to-date and easily accessible across different devices.

You can collaborate with team members on documents and share them with restricted permissions. File versioning allows you to restore previous versions of documents. OneDrive’s Personal Vault offers a secure space for confidential documents. If you ever need more storage space, you can upgrade to a plan with additional capacity at a reasonable cost.

If you're new to using Office apps, there are some steps you should take to ensure a smoother experience. One helpful step is to select your preferred default save location for your Office documents . Open any Office application like Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. Look for the "File" menu in the top left corner. From there, click on "Options" in the bottom-left corner.

In the Options window, navigate to the "Save" tab on the left sidebar. You'll find an option labeled "Default Local File Location." Click on "Browse" next to it. Choose the new folder location where you prefer to save your Office files. Once you've selected the folder, click "OK" to save your changes.

Then, adjust the default theme and background in Office apps . Go to the "File" menu and select "Account." From there, you can personalize the theme and background from the dropdown menu according to your liking. Next, set up OneDrive by clicking on "Add a Service" and following the on-screen instructions.

After that, change the default language to your preferred one. Navigate to the "File" menu, then select "Options." In the Options window, go to the "Language" tab. Click on "Add a Language" to include your preferred language. Once added, move it to the top of the list by selecting it and clicking "Move Up." Confirm your selection by clicking "OK."

Likewise, explore the "Add-ins" tab in the Options window and add useful add-ins to improve your Office experience.

Then, set up your email signature in Outlook . Open Outlook, navigate to the "File" menu, and go to "Options." Within the Outlook Options window, locate and select the "Mail" tab on the left-hand side. Under the Compose Messages section, click on the "Signatures..." button. This will open the Signatures and Stationery window where you can create your signature.

Lastly, explore the integration of Copilot , which can enhance your productivity and efficiency across all Office applications.

In Word, you can use Copilot to draft content, summarize lengthy documents, and refine your writing based on its suggestions. In Excel, you can leverage its capabilities to analyze large datasets, apply appropriate formulas, create visualizations like graphs, and even write VBA code to automate tasks.

In Outlook, Copilot can assist in drafting email responses , finding specific emails, summarizing recent correspondence from contacts, and more. Becoming familiar with Copilot will save you time and effort in your work in the future.

Subscribing to Office 365 is the first step towards improving your productivity, collaboration, and work efficiency. To fully leverage its benefits, you should familiarize yourself with its features. Following the steps outlined above is a positive start. Stay proactive and continue exploring more ways to maximize the potential of your subscription, especially as new features are added.

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Office 2016 vs Office 365: What’s the difference?

If you're looking to purchase Microsoft Office for your business, you've got plenty of options. But understanding difference between the options - most notably between Office 2016 and Office 365 - can be confusing.

The short version: Office 2016 is a version of the Office productivity suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc), typically accessed via the desktop. Office 365 is a cloud-based subscription to a suite of programs including Office 2016. This means you have a few options for purchasing Office 2016: a stand-alone product or as part of an Office 365 subscription.

(Update 10/1/2018: Office 2019 is now available for purchase. The below post is still true, but there are more differences between Office 2019 and Office 365 ProPlus (the version of Office included in Office 265) than in previous releases of Office. You can compare features here. ) Here's what you get what you get with each option (please note: this focuses specifically on Office 365 business and enterprise plans):

Stand Alone Office 2016

There are two stand-alone versions available for businesses:

Office Home & Business 2016

Includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote and Outlook).

Office Professional 2016

Includes everything in Home & Business 2016 plus Publisher and Access (not compatible with Mac).

The stand-alone versions include the ability to save your files to the cloud, which makes collaboration easier – especially among teams not working in the same physical location.

Office 2016 as part of Office 365

If you purchase Office 2016 as part of an Office 365 plan, you have a lot more options for plans and a lot more features.

ALL Office 365 plans include:

• Online versions of Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• 1 TB per user of file storage and sharing (OneDrive)
• Sway presentation creator 
• 99% uptime guaranteed
• World-class data security
• Active Directory integration to make user permissions

As you go up in Office 365 plans, features you can get in addition to the above include:

• Full desktop versions of Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel plus OneNote and Publisher) on up to 5 computers per user
• Office on tablet or mobile (compatible with most tablets and phones regardless of OS)
• Outlook with 50 GB of inbox space per user
• SharePoint (customizable intranet)
• Skype for Business instant messenger (can also be used as your phone system)
• Yammer (corporate social network)
• Compliance Protection (Encrypted Email, Data Loss Prevention, etc)

Which is right for me? Factors to consider:

There are few things to consider when deciding which version of Office 2016 or Office 365 is right for you:

Desired programs and features

Take a good look at what programs and features are important to you. If you just need the basic Office programs like Word, PowerPoint and Excel, either a stand-alone version or a lower level Office 365 plan is probably enough for you. If you’re looking for something more robust, or with access to programs like SharePoint, you’ll need Office 365.

• Office 2016 : Stand-alone Office 2016 is the same as previous versions of Office in that you won’t get access to new features until you install a new version of Office. 
• Office 365 : Since Office 365 is a subscription service, you’ll get access to new features as they become available. You’re also going to have access to a lot more features.

Accessibility

If you need to access your information from multiple devices, Office 365 is the way to go. While files in Office 2016 can be saved to the cloud, Office 365 gives you a lot more options for access plus the ability to install Office on multiple machines. It also gives you the ability to access online versions of Office programs from ANY device with an internet connection.

Movement between plans

Is it possible you’ll need to upgrade your plan?

• Office 2016 : Since Office 2016 is a standalone software, if you need to add features or upgrade, you’ll need to purchase and install new licenses for all users. Keep in mind that Office 2019 will be released sometime in 2018. 
• Office 365 : Office 365 users can switch between plans in the admin center at any time.

Palmetto Technology Group (PTG) is an award-winning IT support and managed service provider headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina. We believe in delivering phenomenal IT experiences by people you’ll love.  As a trusted partner, our goal is to help business owners lower their risk, secure their data, and promote productive employees. To learn more, book a meeting with one of our solutions specialists   here .

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• Will Microsoft 365 stop working if the plan is not paid?

How long will Microsoft let you use Microsoft 365 if you don’t pay by the due date? Will the subscription service just stop on the due date or is there a ‘grace period’.

We wondered how patient Microsoft would be if a Microsoft 365 Business plan wasn’t paid by the due date?  So we held off payment to find out. Turns out, at least 2 weeks in our test.

Don’t panic if a Microsoft 365 plan isn’t paid by the due date. There’s a ‘grace period’ after the due date and later, a clear notice of the plan ending.

After the due date, Microsoft’s system will attempt to charge the stored credit/debit card every few days.

After 19 days there was the first notice of “service interruption”.

Your milage may vary

Keep in mind that we could only do one test on a single Microsoft 365 Business plan for a small amount.

Different rules might apply to consumer plans or a larger organization, enterprise or education customer with a much larger invoice.

Of course, it’s best to pay the Microsoft 365 plan when it’s due but it’s nice to know there’s some leeway.

Six simple steps for saving on renewals or first purchase of Microsoft 365

What “Update License” means on Microsoft 365 menus Try a faster Microsoft 365 secure login

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Office-Watch.com

Office 2021  - all you need to know . Facts & prices for the new Microsoft Office. Do you need it? Office LTSC is the enterprise licence version of Office 2021.

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Office 365 E3 vs Microsoft 365 Business Standard + Exchange Online Plan 2

Good Morning Everyone!

I'm dealing with licenses of my company, I'm very new to my job and even more to this Office 365 thing, so I'm having a hard time to understand some of the benefits of each type.

2 questions:

1 - Is there a post that have a comparison between the diferent types of licenses? Its very confusing on the microsoft websites and those spreadsheets online.

2 - Is Office 365 E3 vs Microsoft 365 Business Standard + Exchange Online Plan 2 a viabal thing to do? because, from I've understand, The E3 just have more a little more security and the benefits on the storage capacity (which would come from a Plan 2). I'm asking because the E3 one is much more expansive (about 200BRL) vs just paying the other two (about 130 BRL) [just to clarify, we are a company with about 200 employes, so the 300 max account from the Bussines licenses insent a problem in the short term]

Sorry for the broken english (Brazilian here), anything that wasn't made clear you guys can ask me in the comments.

thanks for the help!

What Is A Project Management Plan And How To Create One

Updated: Jun 12, 2024, 11:45am

Table of Contents

What is a project management plan, 6 parts of a project management plan, before you create a plan, how to create a project management plan in 7 steps, bottom line, frequently asked questions (faqs).

A project management plan offers a blueprint to stakeholders and end-users surrounding the execution of an upcoming project. While it takes time to put it together, the process is worth it. It helps to reduce risks, create buy-in, gather your team’s expertise, align communication and ensure resource availability. This guide outlines what a project management plan is and its benefits, and then offers an easy step-by-step guide on how to create one.

A project management plan is a set of documents that outline the how, when and what-ifs of a project’s execution. It overviews the project’s value proposition, execution steps, resources, communication tools and protocols, risks, stakeholders (and their roles) and the deliverables involved in a project’s completion. Its documents include an executive summary, Gantt and team charts, risk assessment and communication- and resource-management subplans.

What Is a Project Management Plan Used For?

A project management plan serves as a blueprint or roadmap to the ultimate success of your project. It does so by aligning talent, buy-in, manpower, resources, risk management and high-quality communication around your plan. It also ensures everyone knows their responsibilities, which tasks are involved and when deadlines are so the project stays on track for quality on-time completion.

Here is a closer look at project management plan use cases:

• Buy-in . Your plan ensures all stakeholders are on board, so that they’re prepared to be productive.
• Expertise. A plan helps to ensure you have enough people to expertly own the activities needed to complete the project.
• Risk management. Putting together your plan helps you to assess the risks that may come up through the trajectory of project execution and how to prevent or mitigate them.
• Communication and collaboration. Your planning process ensures poor communication does not negatively impact the project’s outcome. It does so by getting everyone on the same page regarding communication tools, schedules, preferences and protocols.
• Milestones. As you plan your project, you ensure your team agrees on the necessary milestones to complete it successfully. Doing so ensures your team is ready to be productive instantly come project initiation and that scope creep does not impact the project negatively.
• Resource management. Through your planning process, you assess the resources needed to complete the project and their availability. Resources may include funds and raw materials, for example. Doing so ensures resource availability and that insufficient resources do not derail or stop the project altogether.

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A project management plan should include an executive summary, timeline or Gantt chart, resource management subplan, risk assessment, communication subplan and team chart. Here is an overview of each of these parts:

• Executive summary. An executive summary provides an overview of the project’s value proposition, the problem it addresses and its resolution, budget breakdown, milestones and deliverables.
• Timeline or Gantt chart. Many project management plans include a Gantt chart that shows both the dates the project begins and ends and all start and end dates for the milestones that lead to the completion of the project. It should also point out any dependent and independent activities.
• Risk assessment. A risk assessment should list all of the potential obstacles that could impact the completion of the project or the quality of its deliverables negatively. It also outlines the triggers that could cause these risks and how the risks can be mitigated or avoided altogether.
• Team chart. The team chart shows all the people who will be involved in completing the project, their roles and their communication preferences.
• Communication subplan. This subplan offers an overview of what tools will be used for communication, the communication assets and schedules that will be used to keep the project progressing and on track, communication protocols stakeholders should follow and team members’ communication preferences.
• Resource management subplan. This subplan should list what resources may be needed to complete the project. Essential resources may include raw materials, digital tools and funding. It should then offer a breakdown of what materials will be needed for each milestone, a way to ensure their availability and ways to track resources throughout project execution.

Before you begin writing your plan, take a few minutes to prepare. Doing so may involve defining what is at stake should the project not go well, identifying the milestones needed for successful completion, selecting key talent to complete your project, selecting and signing up for the tools that will make the plan creation process easy and efficient and defining the end beneficiary of your project. Below is a closer look at each of these preparation steps.

Failure Risk Assessment

Defining what would happen if the project were not completed successfully can guide you later as you motivate your execution team and formulate your plan’s and your project’s value proposition. This perspective tells all stakeholders how important their roles are.

Milestone Identification

One way to ensure you select the proper team members for plan creation and execution is to define the milestones for which they will be responsible. Once you have identified the milestones, you can identify the needed expertise and then the talent that holds that expertise.

Talent Selection

As you write your plan, it is essential to gather expertise from the team members who will execute it. Doing so could mean the success or failure of your project. Identifying these stakeholders now means you can get them involved sooner for higher collective knowledge during the planning process.

Tool selection

When planning your project, you will need to use charts, graphics and reports to record the necessary information. Graphic design tools like Canva and project management software like monday.com or Wrike can help.

Beneficiary or End-user Identification

Nothing can set you up for success in project completion like understanding what the end-user or project beneficiary needs in the final deliverable. Understanding this requires an understanding of that end-user or beneficiary. Take some time to listen to their needs, wants and hopes surrounding your project before beginning to plan a project that will impact and, hopefully, delight them ultimately.

To create a project management plan, first put together a high overview of the basics of your project, including the project’s scope, schedule and budget. Next, build on those basics to write an executive summary. Then, add a project timeline, risk assessment, stakeholder chart, communication plan and resource management plan to your executive summary. Lastly, gather and incorporate stakeholders’ insights to perfect and create buy-in for your plan.

1. Identify Baselines for Your Project

Your project’s baselines should first focus on the project’s scope, then the project’s schedule and, finally, its budget. The result should be a high overview that will inform the rest of your planning process. To complete this step, answer the following questions:

• What is a summary of the project’s deliverables, including the expected features in order of priority?
• What important milestones will help us complete this project?
• What should the project not focus on? (set some scope boundaries)
• When is the project scheduled to begin?
• When should the project be complete?
• How much do we have to spend on this project? If it is a project that needs to be completed for a client, what budget do we have to spend on it while still making a set profit margin?

2. Write an Executive Summary

An executive summary should include a definition of your project, your project’s value proposition, including the problem your project addresses and its solution, milestones and their deliverables, scope limits―and the consequences for changing these limits―goals and financial breakdown. Use the answers to the questions posed in step one to put together your executive summary.

As the face of your project before stakeholders, your executive summary should be visually appealing and succinct. Columns and visuals should break it up to make it easy to read quickly. One great tool for creating an attractive and succinct summary is a Canva executive summary template. You can customize a template to match your brand and add your content, then either download your executive summary or share it in link form.

To begin, sign up for Canva for free, then use the search box titled “What will you design?” for “executive summary” and press “enter.” Click the appropriate template for your purposes and brand, then use the tools on the left-hand side of the enlarged template to customize its colors, text and images. Add pages by clicking the plus sign at the top right-hand corner of the template and proceed to add text and customizations to complete your summary.

3. Plot Your Project’s Timeline

The best way to plot your project’s timeline is with a Gantt chart. A Gantt chart is a visual representation of what activities you plan to begin and complete and when. These activities are usually small chunks or milestones of your completed project. They also formulate the scope of your project, helping to reduce scope creep later on. Gantt charts are often the easiest to use to plot your timeline.

It is important to note expected dependencies on your Gantt chart. A dependency happens when one activity on a timeline must be completed before team members can go on to the next one. For example, a prototype needs to be completed before a focus group analysis of the prototype can take place. Thus, these two activities are dependent. Also note independent activities that can be completed even as other activities are underway, thereby saving time.

Pro tip: An easy way to note dependencies and independent activities is via color-coding. Arrows drawn on your Gantt chart can also help to pinpoint dependencies.

While Canva does offer Gantt charts to plot your project’s timeline, there are also platforms that specialize in producing Gantt chart software . Not only can this software help you put together your Gantt chart, but it can then help you stay on track with its timeline and avoid scope creep once your project begins via task descriptions and automations. If paying for such a service isn’t in your project’s budget, you can also create a Gantt chart in Excel or Google Sheets.

Gantt chart from monday.com

4. Define Stakeholder Roles

With your project activities recorded on your timeline, define who will be responsible for each activity. Your plan serves as a guiding star to all stakeholders involved in your project, so it’s best to record responsible parties in an intuitive chart. Create a project team chart to show who will be involved in completing the project and for which activities each is responsible. For collaboration ease, also note who each person is accountable to and their contact information.

Canva offers organizational or team chart templates you can use to customize for the needs of your project. Search “organizational chart” using the search bar in your Canva account. Click the chart that best suits your project and brand needs. Then, use the design menu to upload pictures of your team members, customize colors and replace template text to offer the data your stakeholders need for easy collaboration during the life of your project.

An example of a Canva organizational chart template to be adapted to create a project team chart.

5. Perform a Risk Assessment

Your risk assessment should begin with a list of obstacles that could impact your team’s ability to complete the project on time negatively at all and with the desired quality. It should then create a plan for each risk by addressing what might trigger the risk, steps that lend to risk prevention and how to mitigate a risk should it happen. Finally, it should assign stakeholders to manage risk triggers, prevention and mitigation. Some teams use a SWOT analysis to help identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats in this stage.

To dive into each risk, answer the following questions:

• What could happen that would negatively impact the project?
• At what point in the project timeline is this risk most likely to happen?
• How likely is the risk to happen?
• What events or factors would trigger this risk?
• What steps can be taken to reduce the chances of this risk taking place? How can we avoid this trigger or these triggers?
• What would be the expected outcome should the risk happen anyway?
• How could we mitigate a negative outcome should the risk take place?
• Who would be the best person to manage each risk’s triggers, prevention or mitigation?

As you assigned responsible parties for each project activity, you likely selected people who had expertise in the areas in which their assigned activities fall. For example, if you assigned the graphic design of a marketing project to a team member, that person is likely a graphic designer. Their expertise is invaluable in assessing graphic design risks and their prevention and mitigation steps. Lean on your team for this expertise, and then implement their suggestions.

6. Create Key Subplans

Two key subplans you should include in your project management plan are a resource and communications management plan. Your resource sub plan should list what resources are needed to complete your project and their availability. Your communications plan should include how your team will communicate one-on-one and team-wide.

Resource Management Plan

A resource subplan can be completed in project management software. You can create columns for estimated expenses and other needed resources broken down by milestones, such as raw products and talent. Other customizable resource reports are available within the software and automatically kept up to date. Wrike, for example, offers customizable reports where you can track resource availability and export reports to include in your plan.

An example of Wrike’s customizable resource reports

Communications Management Plan

While it may seem inconsequential compared to your risk assessment and resource plan, poor communication is the primary reason most projects experience scope gaps and project failure, according to a PMI study . Poor communication can, therefore, derail all your other planning efforts.

As such, your communications management plan should be detailed and address what, when and how information will be shared during your project. Details should focus on what needs to be communicated and at what intervals during the project execution, stakeholders’ communication preferences, a communication schedule for virtual meetings or phone calls that occur at planned intervals, who will review tasks, to whom task completions should be reported and what platforms or tools should be used for communication purposes.

Pro tip: For best results, look at the communication tools available in your project management software. Alternatively, consider what communication-tool integrations it offers. For example, most project management software offer integrations with Slack. Using available tools within your software will allow ease of collaboration and the communication visibility your team needs to stay on the same page and on track.

7. Gather and Incorporate Feedback From Stakeholders

The team you have chosen to own the activities on your project timeline are uniquely capable of doing so. As such, they are likely to have recommendations you might not think about to make your project more successful. Moreover, if their insights are incorporated into the plan, they are more likely to enthusiastically follow it. So, get your team together and go over the details of your plan. Learn from them and incorporate their insights.

In addition, present your plan to the end-user or client for whom you are executing the project. Make sure they agree to the project scope and its deliverables. Make their preferred changes now so you don’t have to make them later. Discuss what will happen if they change their minds later―extra fees, for example―so that scope creep does not impact your project’s successful execution, on-time completion or quality final deliverable negatively.

Creating a project management plan is the first critical step to ensuring a quality project execution and completion. Without it, you risk project derailment, a blown budget, an unrealized value proposition and a potentially frustrated end-user. With it, you enjoy buy-in, resource availability, budget adherence, a quality and expertly-driven final deliverable and a delighted end-user. We hope this guide sets you on a trajectory to enjoy all of these benefits.

What are the six parts of a project management plan?

At minimum, a project management plan includes an executive summary, timeline or Gantt chart , stakeholder or team chart, risk assessment, communications subplan and resource subplan.

How do I write a project management plan?

To write a project management plan, begin by identifying your project baselines, then write an executive summary, create your timeline and team charts, perform and write a risk assessment and write your communications and resource subplans. Finally, present your plan to all involved stakeholders to gather and incorporate their insights, suggestions and feedback, and then finalize agreement around your plan.

What is the main purpose of a project management plan?

A project management plan lays out the details and steps necessary to reduce confusion, create confidence and prevent obstacles and risks during project execution. It does so by providing a clear outline and value proposition of the project, assigning essential roles, outlining milestones and the final deliverable, identifying and taking steps to prevent risks, ensuring clear communication guidelines and ensuring the availability of essential resources.

What is project management methodology?

A project management methodology is a set of principles, values and processes that determine how a team will complete a project. It dictates factors such as the methods of communication within and outside of the project team—as well as the level of planning, design and documentation—timelines and modes of assessment.

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With over a decade of experience as a small business technology consultant, Alana breaks down technical concepts to help small businesses take advantage of the tools available to them to create internal efficiencies and compete in their markets. Her work has been featured by business brands such as Adobe, WorkFusion, AT&T, SEMRush, Fit Small Business, USA Today Blueprint, Content Marketing Institute, Towards Data Science and Business2Community.

Cassie is a deputy editor collaborating with teams around the world while living in the beautiful hills of Kentucky. Focusing on bringing growth to small businesses, she is passionate about economic development and has held positions on the boards of directors of two non-profit organizations seeking to revitalize her former railroad town. Prior to joining the team at Forbes Advisor, Cassie was a content operations manager and copywriting manager.

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ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form .

Buy a one-year subscription to Microsoft 365 for $45

Get a one-year subscription to Microsoft 365 at a big discount right now.

If you've recently upgraded your laptop , you may have suddenly found yourself without access to Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, and the rest of Microsoft's near-necessary software. And since Microsoft switched from the traditional Office suite to a Microsoft 365 subscription service , it's become more expensive to access those programs. But right now, Microsoft partner StackSocial is offering a one-year subscription to Microsoft 365 for $35 , down from the usual price of $70 and the lowest price we've seen so far. 

This deal gets you a year of access to the premium Office apps including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, along with 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage. You can use the apps and storage across multiple PCs, Macs, iPads, iPhones, and Android devices. 

Microsoft 365: 1-Year Subscription

StackSocial also offers deals on previous versions of Microsoft Office, which get you a lifetime license for one price (at the time of this writing, you can buy Microsoft Office Home & Business 2019 for PC or Mac for $30 , or Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for PC or Mac for $70 . The benefit of choosing a Microsoft 365 subscription instead is that you'll get the newest features and updates as soon as they're released. 

One thing to note: While StackSocial is an authorized Microsoft partner, it's possible that Microsoft itself could rescind this deal. However, it seems unlikely the company will: The version of Microsoft Office that I bought through StackSocial over a year ago is still working on my Mac. 

Buy a one-year subscription to Microsoft 365  now.

ZDNET Recommends

Microsoft office 2019 for windows or mac is $25 with this deal, bundle microsoft office pro 2021 and windows 11 pro for $60, get microsoft office 2021 for windows for $60.

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Maximize the everyday

• For business

Save 16% when you pay yearly for Microsoft 365

• Paid yearly
• Paid monthly

Microsoft 365 Family

• For one to six people
• Sign in to five devices at once
• Use on PCs, Macs, phones, and tablets
• Up to 6 TB of secure cloud storage
• Apps with premium features and offline access
• Identity, 1 data, and device security
• Ad-free secure email

Microsoft 365 Personal

• For one person
• 1 TB of cloud storage

Subscription automatically renews. Cancel anytime to stop future charges. 2 Already have a subscription?

Explore even more benefits of Microsoft 365 

Simplify your online security

Keep you and your family safer online with continuous monitoring for threats, real-time alerts, tips, and expert guidance from Microsoft Defender.

Powerful productivity apps

Use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to collaborate in real time or work offline. 

Trusted storage for priceless memories

Quickly save, share, and edit your photos and files with OneDrive and Microsoft 365.

Make the most of your day

With Outlook as command central, you can spend less time organizing your life and more time enjoying it.

All your ideas in one place

Capture inspiration in text, audio, photos, and videos to create your next big idea with OneNote.

Tell your story, your way

Easily turn captured memories into beautiful videos with Clipchamp and Microsoft 365.

Compare Microsoft 365 with Office

Office home & student 2021.

Save with an annual subscription

Switch to an annual subscription and enjoy the full power of Microsoft 365 for less than paying monthly.

Office Home & Business 2021

• One-time purchase for 1 PC or Mac
• Classic 2021 versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Access to support experts

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between office 2021 (one-time purchase) and microsoft 365 (subscription).

Office 2021 is sold as a one-time purchase, which means you pay a single, up-front cost to get Office apps for one computer. One-time purchases are available for both PCs and Macs. However, there are no upgrade options, which means if you plan to upgrade to the next major release, you'll have to buy it at full price.

Microsoft 365 is a subscription that includes the most collaborative, up-to-date features in one seamless, integrated experience. Microsoft 365 includes the robust Office desktop apps that you’re familiar with, like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. You also get extra online storage and cloud-connected features that let you collaborate on files in real time. With a subscription, you'll always have the latest features, fixes, and security updates along with ongoing tech support at no extra cost. You can choose to pay for your subscription on a monthly or yearly basis, and the Microsoft 365 Family plan lets you share your subscription with your family for up to 6 people, and use your apps on multiple PCs, Macs, tablets, and phones.

How do I know if my PC or Mac can run Microsoft 365?

Will microsoft 365 be identical on a pc and on a mac, do i keep control of my documents with a microsoft 365 subscription, is internet access required for microsoft 365.

Internet access is required to install and activate all the latest releases of apps and services included in all Microsoft 365 subscription plans. Note that if you are an existing subscriber, you do not need to reinstall or purchase another subscription.

For Microsoft 365 plans, Internet access is also needed to manage your subscription account, for example to install Office apps on other PCs or to change billing options. Internet access is also required to access documents stored on OneDrive, unless you install the  OneDrive desktop app .

You should also connect to the Internet regularly to keep your version of Microsoft 365 up to date and to benefit from automatic upgrades. If you do not connect to the Internet at least every 31 days, your apps will go into reduced functionality mode, which means that you can view or print your documents but cannot edit the documents or create new ones. To reactivate your apps, simply reconnect to the Internet.

You do not need to be connected to the Internet to use the Office apps, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, because the apps are fully installed on your computer.

What is a Microsoft account and why do I need it for Microsoft 365?

Your Microsoft account is the combination of an email address and password that you use to sign in to services like OneDrive, Xbox LIVE, and Outlook.com. If you use any of these services, you already have a Microsoft account that you can use or you can create a new account.  Learn more about a Microsoft account .

As part of signing up for a trial or purchasing Microsoft 365, you will be prompted to sign in with a Microsoft account. You must be signed in with this account to install and manage your Microsoft 365 subscription, or to use some subscription benefits, including cloud storage.

How many people can use a Microsoft 365 subscription?

How do i share my subscription benefits with members of my family, if i’m not paying for a subscription, what do i get for free, what is microsoft defender, what is the difference between microsoft defender and windows security.

Microsoft Defender is a new cross-device app that helps people and families stay safer online. Microsoft Defender adds new features and a simplified, user interface. Microsoft Defender also brings valuable device protection to iOS, Android, Windows, and Mac, with malware protection, web protection, real-time security notifications, and security tips. 1,2 Microsoft Defender is available in the Apple, Google, and Microsoft app stores and requires a Microsoft 365 Personal or Family subscription to use.

Windows Security, formerly known as Windows Defender Security Center, is built-in security on Windows PCs to protect your device and data. Windows Security is pre-installed and automatically enabled. Windows Security includes Microsoft Defender Antivirus software that protects your Windows device and data against viruses, ransomware, trojans, and other malware unless non-Microsoft Antivirus software is active.

What is Clipchamp?

• App availability varies by device/language. Features vary by platform.
• Features and app availability may vary by region.
• [1] Identity theft monitoring is only available in the United States and US territories.
• [2] You can cancel online by visiting the Microsoft Account site . Sign in with the Microsoft account that you used to buy your subscription, and then turn off recurring billing. Then, your subscription will automatically expire when your remaining subscription time is up. For details, see “ How to cancel your Microsoft subscription ” at the Microsoft Support site .

• Manage your subscription
• Manage payment method
• Renew your subscription
• Turn recurring billing on or off
• Cancel Microsoft 365
• Get a refund on your subscription
• Manage subscriptions from a third party
• Share Microsoft 365 Family
• Stop sharing Microsoft 365 Family
• You received an invitation to share
• Problems sharing a subscription
• Switch between Microsoft 365 subscriptions
• Switch to a business subscription
• Transfer to a different Microsoft account
• About accounts
• Sign in to Microsoft 365
• Why you need to sign in
• Forgot account or password
• Get started at Microsoft 365.com
• Meet the Microsoft 365 app launcher
• Check version
• Microsoft 365 for home or business
• What business product do I have?
• Difference between Microsoft 365 and Office 2021
• Difference between home and business plans
• Difference between Microsoft 365 and free web apps
• Troubleshoot

What's the difference between Microsoft 365 plans for home or business

Microsoft 365 is a subscription service that makes sure you always have the most up-to-date modern productivity tools. If you're looking to buy Microsoft 365, but not sure which plan is right for you, use the information below to help guide your decision.

Watch: Business plans versus personal and family plans

Business plans versus personal and family plans

Microsoft 365 business subscriptions

Microsoft 365 business subscriptions  can help you grow your business, no matter if you're a team of one or more. 

Microsoft 365 Family and Personal

Personal and family subscriptions are ideal for personal use like home, personal, or family projects and school related activities.

The right plan for you will depend on what your needs are. Let's explore the options.

If you're leaning towards a business plan, deciding which one can depend on your specific business needs. The Microsoft 365 plan chooser is designed to help you with this. The chooser will make recommendations based on your answers to questions such as the size of your business, your field of work, the devices you use, and what kind of features, IT support, and security you're looking for. See Find the right plan for your business .

Looking for more product details and prices? Check out the comparison tables:  Compare Microsoft 365 for business plans

Buy or try Microsoft 365:

For business      For personal and family

Do you need both a business plan and a personal plan?

In some cases, a single Microsoft 365 plan will suit all your needs, but there might be instances when having both plans is the correct decision for you.

For example, you may want to keep your personal files, photos, and other documents separate from your business, having two plans will allow you to do this.

Additionally, if you already have Microsoft 365 Family that you're sharing with friends and family who aren't part of your business, keeping that personal subscription might be the best thing for everyone. This means you don't have to move anyone off that plan, and you don't have to worry about any personal files you already have associated with that subscription and your personal account. 

Switch from a personal Microsoft 365 subscription to Microsoft 365 for business

Have you already been using Microsoft 365 Family or Personal for your business and now you're ready to switch your business to Microsoft 365 for business? It's possible to transfer your business documents and files to your new business plan. Learn more about your options to help you with this process.

Follow the steps in  Switch from Microsoft 365 for home to a business subscription .

Work with a Microsoft 365 business partner in your area: Find the right partner for you .

Our product experts are available to help you with this free of charge:  Contact product experts online. Note: Help from Microsoft business consultants isn't available in all markets.

Need more help?

Want more options.

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Microsoft 365 subscription benefits

Microsoft 365 training

Microsoft security

Accessibility center

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.

Ask the Microsoft Community

Microsoft Tech Community

Windows Insiders

Microsoft 365 Insiders

Find solutions to common problems or get help from a support agent.

Online support

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