In this SharePoint Online tutorial, we will explore a complete comparison of the SharePoint team site vs project site. Difference between a SharePoint Online team site and SharePoint project site.
We will also see a few examples of both SharePoint team sites and SharePoint project sites.
SharePoint and Project Sites are both powerful collaboration tools that enable teams to manage projects and work together effectively. However, there are significant differences between the two. SharePoint Team Site is primarily designed for team collaboration and information sharing, while Project Site is specifically tailored for project management. In this article, we will explore the key features and benefits of both SharePoint Team Site and Project Site, and help you understand which one is best suited for your team’s needs.
What is a Team site in SharePoint Online?
A SharePoint team site is a place where we can share and collaborate content, information, and apps between us and team members.
What is a Project site in SharePoint Online?
A SharePoint Project site is a site for tracking and managing projects, where it provides a space for teams to come together to work on and manage the same projects.
SharePoint Team Site vs SharePoint Project Site
Here, we are going to discuss the difference between the SharePoint Team site and the SharePoint Project site.
Team Site | Project Site |
---|---|
The SharePoint Team site is planned especially for collaboration and communication among team members. | The SharePoint Project site is planned especially for managing projects. |
A SharePoint team site helps team members to collaborate with each other. They can store, and share documents with each other using various SharePoint document libraries. | A SharePoint Project site helps you to plan or capture the task that needs to be done, collaborate with teammates, and collect files and documents. |
The purpose of the SharePoint team site is to connect us and our team to share content and resources. | The purpose of the SharePoint project site is to provide a space for teams to come together to work and manage projects |
When we create a Team site, which has functions that are already pre-built. Example: Conversations, documents, Notebook, recycle bin, Site contents, and pages.But except for Calendar and task | When we create a Project site, By default several web parts and functions are already pre-built. No need to add any functions. Example: Calendar and Task |
The SharePoint Team site has Project Summary Web parts which we need to create a Team Task list. | By default, The SharePoint project site has Project Summary Web parts which are connected to the Task list. |
Team sites are flexible in structure and can be used for a variety of purposes, such as sharing files, discussing ideas, and managing workflows. | Project sites need to have a General Plan/Structure for using them, which may include task lists, calendars, and other project-specific tools. |
The Team site has unlimited access, depending on the nature of the team and the content being shared. | The project site has limited access to the sites, which are used for sensitive or confidential projects. |
The SharePoint Team site is combined with other Microsoft tools, such as Microsoft Teams to support real-time communication and collaboration. | The SharePoint Project site is combined with other Microsoft tools, such as Microsoft Project, to provide more modern project management capabilities. |
The SharePoint team site cant track the project team task list with the timeline on a common calendar. | The timeline can be mentioned for the Project task and we can track project team tasks on a common calendar. |
SharePoint Team Site Examples
Here are a few examples of SharePoint team sites that can be customized to fit the specific needs of different teams and industries.
- Human resources: SharePoint can be used for HR tasks such as recruiting, onboarding, and employee management. A SharePoint team site for HR could include job postings, candidate resumes, employee handbooks, and performance evaluations.
- Marketing and communications: SharePoint can be used for marketing campaigns, social media management, and communication planning. A SharePoint team site for marketing and communications could include campaign briefs, creative assets, content calendars, and analytics reports.
- Sales: SharePoint can be used to track sales leads, manage customer data, and collaborate on sales strategies. A SharePoint team site for sales could include sales reports, customer contact information, sales goals, and territory maps.
- Research and development: SharePoint can be used to manage research and development projects, including data analysis, experimentation, and prototyping. A SharePoint team site for R&D could include research articles, experimentation logs, prototypes, and test results.
SharePoint Project Site Examples
Below are a few examples of the many different types of project sites that can be created with SharePoint Online.
- Product Development: This type of project site can be used to track and manage the development of new products. It can include features like task lists, project timelines, and document libraries for sharing design specifications.
- Marketing Campaign: A project site for a marketing campaign can include task lists, calendars, and document libraries for storing marketing materials. It can also include discussion forums for brainstorming and collaboration.
- Event Planning: SharePoint can be used to plan and manage events, such as conferences or trade shows. A project site for event planning can include task lists, calendars, and document libraries for storing event materials, as well as discussion forums for coordinating with event vendors and suppliers.
- IT Project: A SharePoint project site for an IT project can include task lists, calendars, and document libraries for storing technical documentation and software development plans. It can also include discussion forums for collaboration and troubleshooting.
- Sales Pipeline Management: SharePoint can be used to manage a company’s sales pipeline, from lead generation to closing deals. A project site for sales pipeline management can include task lists, calendars, and document libraries for tracking sales activities and storing sales collateral.
- Quality Assurance: SharePoint can also be used to manage quality assurance projects, such as product testing or software quality assurance. A project site for quality assurance can include task lists, document libraries for storing testing plans and reports, and discussion forums for collaboration and feedback.
- Grant Management: SharePoint can be used to manage grant applications and awards. A project site for grant management can include task lists, calendars, and document libraries for storing grant application materials and tracking grant progress. It can also include discussion forums for collaboration and feedback.

Conclusion
SharePoint Team Site and Project Site are two distinct collaboration tools that serve different purposes. SharePoint Team Site is ideal for teams looking for a centralized location to share information, collaborate on documents, and manage content. On the other hand, Project Site is specifically designed for project management, providing tools for planning, tracking, and reporting on project progress.
Ultimately, the choice between SharePoint Team Site and Project Site will depend on your team’s needs and the specific requirements of your project. By understanding the differences between these two collaboration tools, you can choose the one that is best suited for your team’s needs, enabling your team to work together more effectively and achieve their goals more efficiently.
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Bijay Kumar Sahoo is a highly accomplished professional with over 15 years of experience in the field of SharePoint and related technologies. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) more than 9 times, starting from April 2014, for his exceptional contributions to the SharePoint community. Bijay is also a prolific author, having written two books on SharePoint – “Microsoft Power Platform – A Deep Dive” and “SharePoint Online Modern Experience Practical Guide“. His deep insights into SharePoint are also shared on his popular YouTube channel EnjoySharePoint where he teaches SharePoint to a global audience (From various countries like the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, etc). Read more…