Is Microsoft MS Project Desktop (offline) app being retired?

No, Microsoft Project desktop is not being retired. It remains the “gold standard” for complex project scheduling and will continue to be supported and available for purchase. 

MS Project Templates can be downloaded in the template bundle, click on link at banner above

To purchase example MSP MPP Microsoft Project plan templates (and many others), click here.

Confusion often arises because Microsoft has announced the retirement of several related cloud-based and web-based services. Here is the current status of the Microsoft Project ecosystem: 

Products Being Retired

  • Project Online: This service will officially retire on September 30, 2026. After this date, Project Online environments and data will no longer be accessible.
  • Project for the Web: Retired as a standalone brand and was fully merged into the new Microsoft Planner in 2024/2025.
  • Project/Roadmap Apps in Teams: These were retired in August 2025 and replaced by the unified Planner experience. 

Products Staying Active

  • Project Desktop (Project Professional/Standard): Not impacted by the cloud service retirements. You can still use it to manage .mpp files locally or connect it to alternative backend systems like Project Server SE.
  • Project Server Subscription Edition (SE): This on-premises/self-hosted version will remain supported through at least 2031. It is the recommended migration path for organizations that want to keep the “Project Web App” (PWA) interface without using the retired Project Online cloud service.
  • Microsoft Planner: Now serves as the primary cloud-based project management tool, absorbing the features of Project for the Web. 
MS Project Templates can be downloaded in the template bundle, click on link at banner above

Key Dates for Project Online Users:

  • October 1, 2025: End of sale for new Project Online subscriptions.
  • April 2, 2026: SharePoint 2013 workflows (which many Project Online users rely on) will be retired.
  • September 30, 2026: Full shutdown of Project Online.

Home Computer historical development timeline by era

The transition from massive, industrial room-sized mainframes to the “home computer” was driven by the invention of the microprocessor in the early 1970s

The Pre-Home Era (1971–1976) 

Before “home computers” existed as off-the-shelf products, they were sold as DIY kits for electronics hobbyists. 

  • 1971Intel releases the 4004, the first commercial single-chip microprocessor.
  • 1974: The MITS Altair 8800 is featured in Popular Electronics; it is widely considered the spark of the personal computer revolution.
  • 1976Apple Computer is founded. The Apple I goes on sale as a hand-soldered board for $666.66.
  • 1976: MOS Technology releases the KIM-1, the first single-board computer kit. 

The “1977 Trinity” & Early Adoption

In 1977, three computers were released that targeted ordinary consumers rather than just hobbyists. 

  • Apple II: Features colour graphics and eight expansion slots, becoming a standard for schools and early home users.
  • Commodore PET 2001: The first “all-in-one” home computer with a built-in monitor and tape drive.
  • TRS-80 Model I: Sold through Radio Shack stores, making computers accessible on the high street for $399. 

The 1980s Boom

This decade saw fierce competition between manufacturers and the rise of gaming and office productivity. 

  • 1980Sinclair ZX80 launches in the UK as a very low-cost entry point into computing.
  • 1981: The IBM PC is released, creating the “PC-compatible” standard that still dominates today.
  • 1981: The Commodore VIC-20 becomes the first computer to sell over one million units.
  • 1982: The Commodore 64 launches and eventually becomes the best-selling single computer model of all time.
  • 1984Apple launches the Macintosh, the first successful mass-market computer with a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and a mouse.
  • 1985: The Amiga 1000 and Atari ST bring advanced multimedia and multitasking to the home. 

Standardisation & The Modern Age (1990s–Present) 

The market shifted away from proprietary “home computers” toward standardized “PCs” and portable devices. 

  • 1990Microsoft Windows 3.0 is released, making GUI computing standard on IBM-compatible PCs.
  • 1995Windows 95 launches, moving the PC away from its MS-DOS roots and integrating internet support.
  • 1998: The Apple iMac revitalizes Apple’s consumer line with an integrated, colourful design and USB ports.
  • 2010: The Apple iPad introduces the “tablet” as a primary home computing device for many users.
  • 2012: The Raspberry Pi launches, bringing home computing back to its DIY and educational roots.

The history of the home computer evolved from large, room-sized mainframes into the diverse, interconnected devices used today. This timeline categorises the evolution by era and key annual milestones

The Pre-Home Era: Mainframes & Minicomputers (1940s–1960s) 

Before computers could fit in a home, they were massive machines used by governments and corporations. 

  • 1945ENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) is completed as the first general-purpose electronic digital computer.
  • 1951UNIVAC I is delivered to the US Census Bureau, becoming the first commercial computer produced in the US.
  • 1960DEC PDP-1 is introduced, representing the first “minicomputer” that was smaller than its predecessors.
  • 1965: The DEC PDP-8 launches, becoming the first commercially successful minicomputer. 

The Hobbyist Era: The First Personal Computers (1970–1976) 

The invention of the microprocessor allowed computers to become small enough for individuals to own, though they often required manual assembly. 

  • 1971Intel 4004, the first single-chip microprocessor, is released.
  • 1974: The MITS Altair 8800 appears on the cover of Popular Electronics, sparking the hobbyist revolution.
  • 1976: The Apple I, a single-board computer kit designed by Steve Wozniak, is released.

The “1977 Trinity” & The Home Boom (1977–1983) 

This era saw the transition from kits to fully assembled, consumer-ready “home computers”. 

  • 1977: The “1977 Trinity” launches: the Apple II (with colour graphics), the Commodore PET, and the Tandy TRS-80.
  • 1980Sinclair ZX80 is released as one of the first low-cost home computers in the UK.
  • 1981: The IBM PC is released, setting the industry standard for hardware and software compatibility.
  • 1981: The Osborne 1 is released as the first commercially successful portable computer.
  • 1982: The Commodore 64 launches; it eventually becomes the best-selling single computer model of all time.
  • 1982: The ZX Spectrum is released, becoming a cultural icon in Europe. 

The Graphical User Interface (GUI) Era (1984–1994)

Computers moved away from text-based commands toward visual icons and mice. 

  • 1984: The Apple Macintosh launches, popularising the mouse and Graphical User Interface (GUI).
  • 1985: The Commodore Amiga 1000 and Atari ST launch, bringing advanced multimedia and multitasking capabilities.
  • 1990: Tim Berners-Lee creates the World Wide Web, fundamentally changing how home computers would be used.
  • 1994: PowerPC processors are introduced by Apple, significantly increasing processing speed. 

The Internet & Mobility Era (1995–Present)

Home computing shifted focus toward connectivity, portability, and eventually, the cloud. 

  • 1995Windows 95 is released, integrating internet support and making PCs user-friendly for the masses.
  • 1998: The Apple iMac launches, ditching the floppy drive and embracing USB.
  • 2000s: Laptops begin to outsell desktops as portable computing gains momentum.
  • 2010: The Apple iPad pioneers the modern tablet market, creating a new “casual computing” category.
  • 2012: The Raspberry Pi is released, re-engaging a new generation in hobbyist computer building.
  • 2020s: The rise of Cloud Computing and AI Integration (like the Apple M1 chip) shifts the focus from local storage to remote applications and machine learning.

Golf Historical Timeline Overview

The history of golf is broadly categorised into five distinct eras that track its evolution from a forbidden Scottish pastime to a multi-billion dollar global industry. 

1. The Foundation Years (Pre-1400s – 1899)

This era established the basic rules, the 18-hole standard, and the first major championships. 

  • 1457: King James II of Scotland bans golf and football because they distract young men from archery and military training.
  • 1502: King James IV lifts the ban and becomes a golfer himself, leading to the sport’s popularity among royalty.
  • 1744: The first official golf club, the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, is formed and establishes the first 13 rules of golf.
  • 1764: The Old Course at St Andrews reduces its round from 22 holes to 18 holes, setting the global standard for course length.
  • 1848: The “Guttie” ball (made of gutta-percha) is introduced, making the game more affordable and durable than the original feather-filled leather balls.
  • 1860: The first Open Championship (British Open) is held at Prestwick, won by Willie Park Snr.
  • 1894: The United States Golf Association (USGA) is founded to govern the sport in America.
  • 1895: The first U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Amateur championships are held. 

2. The Golden Era (1900 – 1945)

This period saw the rise of legendary players, the formalisation of the professional tour, and the transition to steel equipment. 

  • 1916: The PGA of America is founded, and the PGA Championship is inaugurated.
  • 1920s: Steel shafts are patented and eventually legalised by the USGA (1924) and R&A (1929), replacing hickory.
  • 1927: The first Ryder Cup match is played between teams from the United States and Great Britain.
  • 1930Bobby Jones achieves the “Grand Slam” by winning the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, British Open, and British Amateur in a single year.
  • 1934: The first Masters Tournament is held at Augusta National, founded by Bobby Jones.
  • 1945Byron Nelson sets a record by winning 11 consecutive tournaments (18 total in the year).

3. The Television Boom (1946 – 1980s)

Broadcast sports turned golf into a global phenomenon, fueled by the rivalry between Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer

  • 1950: The LPGA Tour is officially formed.
  • 1968: The PGA Tour is formally established as a separate entity from the PGA of America.
  • 1971: Astronaut Alan Shepard hits a golf ball on the moon during the Apollo 14 mission.
  • 1970s: Graphite shafts and metal-headed woods (drivers) begin to replace traditional wooden clubs. 

4. The Tiger Era (1990s – 2010) 

The arrival of Tiger Woods sparked a massive surge in popularity, prize money, and athletic training. 

  • 1991: Callaway introduces the Big Bertha driver, popularising oversized metalwood heads.
  • 1997Tiger Woods wins the Masters at age 21 by 12 strokes, becoming the youngest champion and sparking a global “Tiger Boom”.
  • 2009Tiger Woods becomes the first athlete to surpass $1 billion in career earnings. 

5. The Modern Game (2011 – Present)

This era is defined by extreme data analysis (Launch Monitors), advanced technology, and shifting tours. 

  • 2016: Golf returns to the Olympic Games after a 112-year absence.
  • 2022: The launch of LIV Golf introduces a significant competitive landscape shift in professional golf.
  • 2026: A planned “golf ball rollback” is scheduled to manage the increasing distances professional players are hitting the ball.

Golf Historical Timeline Overview

Agile Before and After

Agile Before and After

Azure AI vs Google Cloud AI vs AWS AI vs IBM Watson vs Alibaba Qwen

Azure AI vs Google Cloud AI vs AWS AI vs IBM Watson vs Alibaba Qwen

Agile Scrum Evolution Timeline Overview

Agile and Scrum have evolved from specific product development theories into a global standard for project management. While Scrum predates the Agile Manifesto by several years, it has become the most widely adopted framework within the Agile umbrella. 

Agile Scrum Burn down and Burn up charts – can be downloaded from website banner

Evolution Timeline

  • 1986: The Inspiration. Hirotaka Takeuchi and Ikujiro Nonaka publish “The New New Product Development Game” in Harvard Business Review, introducing the “rugby” approach to product development.
  • 1993: The First Scrum. Jeff Sutherland and his team at Easel Corporation implement the first official Scrum.
  • 1995: Public Presentation. Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland formally present Scrum at the OOPSLA ’95 conference, introducing the concept of Sprints.
  • 2001: The Agile Manifesto. 17 software developers meet in Utah to sign the Manifesto for Agile Software Development, codifying the 4 values and 12 principles that define Agile.
  • 2002: Scrum Alliance Founded. The Scrum Alliance is established by Ken Schwaber, Mike Cohn, and Esther Derby to provide training and certifications like the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM).
  • 2009: Founding of Scrum.org. Ken Schwaber founds Scrum.org to provide a more consistent approach to Scrum training and assessments.
  • 2010: The First Scrum Guide. Sutherland and Schwaber publish the first Official Scrum Guide, providing a definitive, minimal definition of the framework.
  • 2011–2017: Iterative Refinements. Updates to the Scrum Guide clarify the Daily Scrum purpose (2013) and emphasize Scrum Values (2016).
  • 2020: The “Simplified” Guide. The latest 2020 Scrum Guide is released, focusing on making the framework less prescriptive and more applicable to non-software industries by removing technical jargon. 

Key Shifts in Scrum Maturity

  • Prescriptive to Descriptive: Early Scrum was highly prescriptive about meetings and roles; modern Scrum focuses on Empiricism (Transparency, Inspection, Adaptation).
  • Team Autonomy: The 2013 update pivoted from “selecting tasks” to focusing on the Sprint Goal, empowering teams to decide how to achieve the objective.
  • Scaling Frameworks: As organizations grew, frameworks like SAFe (2011) and LeSS (2013) emerged to apply Scrum across hundreds of teams.
Plan On a Page POaP for an Agile Scrum project, available for download above

Agile Development History Timeline Overview

Agile’s history is a transition from rigid, manufacturing-based “Waterfall” models to flexible, people-centric frameworks. While the term was coined in 2001, its roots trace back to early 20th-century industrial practices and the “software crisis” of the 1960s. 

Early Foundations (Pre-1990s)

Before Agile became a formal software methodology, its core principles of efficiency and iteration emerged from manufacturing and early computing.

  • 1896: Sakichi Toyota introduced the “Stop and Notify” concept (Jidoka), a foundational Lean/Agile practice for immediate problem-solving.
  • 1948: The Toyota Production System (TPS) established Lean manufacturing and the Kanban system to manage workflow.
  • 1957: IBM began using incremental development on large software projects.
  • 1970: Winston Royce published “Managing the Development of Large Software Systems,” which formalized the Waterfall Model but actually cautioned against its rigidity.
  • 1986: Takeuchi and Nonaka published The New New Product Development Game, introducing the “rugby” metaphor for team-based development that inspired Scrum

The Rise of “Lightweight” Methods (1990–2000) 

Frustrated by Waterfall’s slow delivery, practitioners developed several “lightweight” frameworks. 

  • 1991: Rapid Application Development (RAD) popularized timeboxing and iterations.
  • 1993: Jeff Sutherland and his team first implemented Scrum at Easel Corporation.
  • 1994: The Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM) was created as a vendor-independent RAD framework.
  • 1995: Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland formally co-presented Scrum at the OOPSLA conference.
  • 1996: Kent Beck introduced Extreme Programming (XP), emphasizing practices like pair programming and continuous testing.
  • 1997: Feature-Driven Development (FDD) and Crystal Clear emerged as alternative iterative models. 

Formalisation & Modern Evolution (2001–Present)

The movement unified under a single name and eventually scaled to entire enterprises. 

  • 2001: 17 software leaders met at Snowbird, Utah, to draft the Agile Manifesto, establishing four core values and 12 principles.
  • 2003: The book Lean Software Development by Mary and Tom Poppendieck officially bridged Lean manufacturing and software agility.
  • 2009: The concept of DevOps emerged, extending Agile principles into IT operations and deployment.
  • 2011: The Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) was introduced to help large organizations manage multiple Agile teams.
  • 2012–2015: Agile surpassed the 50% mark in global adoption, becoming the industry standard for development.
  • 2020s: Agile principles are now widely applied outside of tech, in fields like marketing, education, and HR

Agile’s evolution is not just a 21st-century phenomenon but a response to decades of “software crises” and rigid industrial processes. Below is a comprehensive historical breakdown of Agile’s journey. 

1. Pre-Digital Foundations (1910s – 1940s)

Long before software, the concepts of efficiency and waste reduction were born in manufacturing. 

  • 1911: Scientific Management. Frederick Taylor encouraged managers to adopt worker suggestions for efficiency, opposing rigid habits.
  • 1940s: Lean Manufacturing (Toyota). Toyota pioneered the “Just-in-Time” method and Kaizen (continuous improvement) after observing American supermarkets.
  • 1948: Toyota Production System. Introduction of Kanban for visual workflow management. 

2. Early Iterative Development (1950s – 1970s)

The 1950s saw the first departures from strictly sequential “waterfall” planning. 

  • 1957: Incremental Development. IBM and Motorola teams, including Gerald Weinberg, used iterative methods indistinguishable from modern Extreme Programming (XP) for Project Mercury.
  • 1968: NATO Software Engineering Conference. Formally identified the “Software Crisis” (projects being late and over budget), sparking a search for better methodologies.
  • 1970: Waterfall Formalised (and Critiqued). Winston Royce described the Waterfall model but notably advocated for iterative releases to reduce risk. 

3. The Proliferation of “Lightweight” Methods (1980s – 1990s) 

Frustration with heavyweight, document-heavy processes led to several “Agile” precursors. 

  • 1986: “The New New Product Development Game.” Takeuchi and Nonaka published this HBR article, introducing the “Rugby” approach (teamwork over relay-race handoffs), which directly inspired Scrum.
  • 1991: Rapid Application Development (RAD). James Martin introduced RAD, emphasising fast prototyping and client feedback.
  • 1993–1995: The Birth of Scrum. Jeff Sutherland and Ken Schwaber formalised Scrum, presenting it at the OOPSLA ’95 conference.
  • 1996: Extreme Programming (XP). Kent Beck introduced XP at Chrysler, focusing on technical excellence through practices like Pair Programming and Test-Driven Development

4. The Agile Manifesto & Formalisation (2001 – 2010)

Agile moved from a collection of “lightweight” methods to a global standard. 

  • 2001: The Agile Manifesto. 17 developers met in Snowbird, Utah, to draft the Manifesto for Agile Software Development, establishing four core values and 12 principles.
  • 2003: Lean Software Development. Mary and Tom Poppendieck adapted Toyota’s Lean principles specifically for software engineering.
  • 2009: Software Craftsmanship. The Software Craftsmanship Manifesto emerged to refocus the community on the quality of the “craft” rather than just project management.
  • 2010: The First Scrum Guide. Published as the definitive resource on Scrum framework rules. 

5. Scaling and Modern Business Agility (2011 – Present) 

Agile expanded beyond coding into enterprise-wide strategy. 

  • 2011: Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe). Dean Leffingwell launched SAFe to help large corporations apply Agile at scale.
  • 2015–2017: Project Management Integration. Major bodies like AXELOS released PRINCE2 Agile, and the PMI introduced the Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP).
  • 2020s: Beyond Software. Agile principles are now standard in marketing, HR, and hardware development through concepts like Business Agility

Wimbledon 2007, Roger Federer wins 5 in a row

Roger Federer path to the Wimbledon 2007 title
I was at the Wimbledon Championships in 2007 to watch Roger win his fifth title in a row
…at the Fred Perry statue in 2007…

Roger Federer won 20 Grand Slam singles titles during his career, beginning with his first victory at Wimbledon in 2003 and concluding with the 2018 Australian Open. He was the first male player to reach the 20-title milestone. 

Grand Slam Title Timeline

Federer’s most dominant period occurred between 2004 and 2007, a span in which he won 11 of 16 contested majors. 

Key Milestones 

  • First Major: Defeated Mark Philippoussis at Wimbledon 2003 to win his maiden Slam.
  • Career Grand Slam: Completed the set of all four majors by winning the 2009 French Open, defeating Robin Söderling in the final.
  • Wimbledon Record: He holds the Open Era record for the most men’s singles titles at Wimbledon with 8 victories (2003–2007, 2009, 2012, 2017).
  • Consecutive Dominance: He won five consecutive titles at both Wimbledon (2003–2007) and the US Open (2004–2008).
  • Final Major: His 20th and final Grand Slam title came at the 2018 Australian Open after defeating Marin Čilić in five sets. 

Federer officially retired from professional tennis on September 23, 2022, following the Laver Cup.