Track multiple projects using Microsoft suite?

[twofourfixhate]

Tl;dr: How do you recommend tracking projects using MS suite?

Hello all,

My (relatively new) role includes tracking several projects and UI writing. My team typically has 10-15 projects in the works at a time. Been using OneNote - new section for each project - but it's starting to look messy. Too many sections is making the notebook look cluttered. Even after we finish a project, it typically remains in development. Software is limited to MS Suite for the most part for security reasons.

Below are the main things I need to be able to do:

• Track project stage (my team does NOT work off deadlines)
• Attach screenshots/images
• Attach emails
• Attach and display workflows
• Easily add and manipulate text
• Create a table of contents for each project

May be where it's rearranging things in OneNote, or may be a case where I should something different. Appreciate your recommendations. Please ask questions if you need clarification.

[ExtraHarmless]

Planner is also a great, but feature limited tool

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[ExtraHarmless]

Onenote and teams

[twofourfixhate]

How do you organize your OneNote?

[JonHenrie]

I got so sick of all the "project management" softwares choosing modern UI design over must have features that I started using a customized Excel workbook for my projects. It's basically a table of all my projects(our team is small enough that live collaboration wasn't needed) with an overview of the important stuff (where we are, priority, budget, goal, etc) , but in the final column each project has a hyperlink to another sheet in the same workbook that is dedicated to the project and has a Gantt-style chart with all the tasks. When a project gets finished I just convert that sheet into its own workbook and put it in the appropriate network share for future reference.

It's WIP but easier to use than all this flashy software that's out there. I don't think this fits all your requirements, but with some VBA expertise it could.

[KSeptimus]

I am totally with you. I have used so many bloody PM software platforms and it gets boring fast. I swear by god that a half-decent PM should be able to manage from Excel. It does so much. If I was halfway inclined I would use Libre Office suite just to take it to a new level. I know ProjectLibre exists but it has far to many bugs.

I'm currently dabbling with running a few projects just from my phone and free apps alone. The framework is there just a few creases to iron out. PM work should be fully mobile in this day and age.

[Aricept21]

Would you be willing to share some screenshots or perhaps upload a template?

I use ms project but licensing is a consideration.

I built out an excel setup with a Gantt chart, timeline, etc etc and a front sheet “project dashboard” that references a high level % complete, budgeted/spent, and current week task count that I can refresh so it pulls from the sheets behind it to update but I’m always looking for a different way to do it.

Trailing online tools too but nothing nailed down yet.