What’s new and deprecated in Project Server 2016?

In this post, we’re gonna explain What’s new and deprecated in Project Server 2016 compared to Project Server 2013.

You might be also interested to know What’s new and deprecated in SharePoint Server 2016?

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What’s new and deprecated in Project Server 2016?

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New features in Project Server 2016 compared to Project Server 2013

In this section, we’ll list the new features in Project Server 2016 that not exists in Project Server 2013 version like the following:

• New Project Wizard Experience.
• New TimeLine Options.
• Project ellipsis.
• Resource Engagements.
• Hardware and software requirements.
• Project client compatibility.
• One installation for SharePoint and Project Server.
• Base installation languages and language packs.
• Project Server Custom fields limit.

You might also like to read Install and Configure Project Server 2016.

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New Project Wizard Experience in Project Server 2016

In Project Server 2016, you can easily create a new project through a new wizard that consists of two main steps as the following:

• The first step to select the Project Type.
  • Enterprise Project.
  • SharePoint Task List.

• The Second step to fill the basic project information (PDP).

In Project Server 2013 New Project Wizard Experience is not available. meanwhile, you can also easily and quickly create your project by clicking on Create and Import Project.

• Then provide your Project name, and click the “Create” button.
• The project should be now listed in the Project center and you can fill its project information later.

You may be also interested to check Migrate to Project Server 2016.

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New Timeline Options in Project Server 2016

The timeline is a graphic design showing the project summary as a long bar labeled with dates. The Project Managers are using the timeline to can easily compare between multiple projects in one view.

Multiple Timeline in Project Center

In Project Server 2016و You can easily add multiple timelines to can group similar projects/tasks at the project center or schedule page.

Set Date Range in Project Center Timeline

Also, you can use “set Date range” option to customize the project timeline to show only a specified date range for your projects in Project Center.

In Project Server 2013, you can only add one timeline at Project center or Schedule page. and there is no option to set Date range.

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Project ellipsis feature in Project Server 2016

In Project Server 2016,you can easily view the project summary information in project center through Project ellipsis to show:

• Percentage Complete.
• Owner.
• Last Published Date.
• Open, Share and more option.

In Project Server 2013, The Project ellipsis is not available in Project Server 2013, and to show the project details you have two option:

• Configure the required columns project center grid, then scroll horizontally to show it.
• Click on the project name and show the project information at the project page detail.

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Resource Engagements in Project Server 2016

Resource Engagements is the replacement of the old Resource Plan in Project Serve 2013. It helps project managers and resource managers to work together on the specific amount of work and time periods for specific resources associated with a project.

In resource center, the Project Manager can request a resource to manage engagements as shown below.

Also, there are new efficient views like resource utilization.

Note: Resource Plans are not supported in Project Server 2016. Meanwhile, it’s supported to migrate Project Server 2013 Resource Plans to work as Resource Engagements in Project Server 2016. 

Note: Project Standard 2016 & Project Professional 2013 did not include resource engagements. it’s only available if you’re using Project Professional 2016, connected to Project Online or Project Server 2016.

Note: Resource engagements support approval requirements. Meanwhile, the project manager can assign a resource without approval.

In project server 2013, there is no approval engagement process. there is a simple toolbar without resource request option and Limited views capability.

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Hardware and software requirements In Project Server 2016

Since Project Server 2016 runs as a service application in SharePoint Server 2016. so you just need to check Hardware and software requirements for SharePoint Server 2016 that differs from Hardware and software requirements for Project Server 2013.

You might also like to read Supported SQL Server Version for SharePoint 2016.

Installation Process for SharePoint 2016 and Project Server 2016

One of the biggest changes in Project Server 2016 is the installation process.

• Separate installation is no longer required as it was in previous versions of Project Server.
• The SharePoint Server 2016 MSI file will contain the installation files for Project Server 2016 as well.
• Project Server 2016 runs as a service application in SharePoint Server 2016.

• Project Server 2016 is only available on SharePoint Server 2016 Enterprise.(this is the same as Project Server 2013).

Note: Although Project Server 2016 is included as part of the SharePoint Server 2016 Enterprise installation, it still requires a separate license.

For more details, please check how to Install and Configure Project Server 2016.

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There is no a Project Web App Database in Project Server 2016

In Project Server 2016, a single database (SharePoint Content Database) holds the project data and the content to facilitate the database operations, such as backup and restore, migration, etc.

In Project Server 2013, a separate Project database is created for each Project Web App instance.

In Project server 2010, there are 5 databases

1. Draft Database.
2. Archive Database.
3. Publish Database.
4. Reporting Database.
5. Content Database.

You might also like to read PWA Content Database Consideration In Project Server

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Base installation languages and language packs in Project Server 2016

In Project Server 2016, Individual language packs for Project Server 2016 are not available, SharePoint Server 2016 language packs will also match languages for both Project Server 2016 and SharePoint Server 2016.

In Project Server 2013, Project Server 2013 and SharePoint Server 2013 language packs were installed separately.

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Project client compatibility in Project Server 2016

• Project Professional 2016.
• Project Online Desktop Client.
• Project Professional 2013. (Not support Resource Engagement new feature in Project Server 2016)

Project client compatibility in Project Server 2013

• Project Professional 2016.
• Project Online Desktop Client.
• Project Professional 2013.

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Custom fields limit in Project Server 2016

To improve performance in Project Server 2016 reporting, there are limits to the number of custom fields for Project / TimeSheet / Tasks / Resource as the following.

• 450 text fields.
• 450 lookup tables.
• 450 of all other custom field types (cost, date, duration, number, flag).

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Deprecated features in Project Server 2016

In this section, we’re gonna list the deprecated or removed features from Project Server 2016 that was exists in Project Server 2013.

Resource Plans

In Project Server 2016, what was previously known as Resource Plans in Project Server 2013 has now evolved into Resource Engagements.

My Tasks

Because of The Work Management Service Application has been removed in SharePoint 2016, The My Tasks and associated Exchange Task Sync features have been removed.

Project Server Interface web service (PSI)

1. The PSI is partially removed in Project Server 2016.
   • Unfortunately, The main “Project class” has been removed.
   • Additionally, The “ProjectDataSet” member that handles the Project & Tasks creation has been removed.
2. Moreover, the PSI extensions are not supported in Project Server 2016. 

Therefore, Microsoft recommends the Project Client Side Object Model (CSOM) to be used for the Project Server 2016 development, and If there is a functionality that can’t be implemented by CSOM and there is no suitable workaround to do it, it will be normally considered as a limitation by the tool!

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Conclusion

With each new release, for sure there are new and deprecated features for this new version, so in this article, we have explained what’s new and deprecated in Project Server 2016 compared to the previous version Project Server 2013.

Applies To

• Project Server 2016.
• Project Server 2013.

You might also like to read

• Install and Configure Project Server 2016.
• Migrate to Project Server 2016 Step By Step.
• Project Server 2013 Migration from Staging to Production Farm.

Have a Question?

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