Whether you’re moving from Docker to a package-based installation, changing databases, or upgrading an older setup, migrating your OpenProject installation can raise important questions. To help you navigate the process, we’ve compiled an overview of supported migration paths, key considerations, and links to detailed documentation. This article gives you the big picture. For in-depth instructions, please refer to our documentation.

Quick navigation overview:

• Why OpenProject recommends Docker installation
• Migration between Docker and packaged installations
• Migration between PostgreSQL versions
• Migration from an old MySQL database

Why switch installations — our recommendation

OpenProject supports several installation methods: Docker, DEB/RPM packages, Helm Charts for Kubernetes, and manual installations. Depending on your infrastructure and technical requirements, one setup may suit you better than another.

For most users, we recommend the Docker-based installation. It’s the easiest to set up, requires minimal system configuration, and is simple to maintain — especially when updating to new OpenProject versions. This makes Docker the most future-proof option.

Important

We will not build packages for new Linux versions (such as Ubuntu 24.04). We will, however, keep releasing new package versions for the currently supported Linux versions until their EOL (end of life). Learn more in our packaged installation documentation.

Migration between Docker and packaged installations

It is possible to migrate between Docker and packaged (DEB/RPM) installations in both directions. In both cases, the process involves:

• Exporting the PostgreSQL database,
• Copying attachments and configuration files,
• Re-importing the data in the new environment.

You might consider migrating to a packaged installation if your IT environment requires tight system-level integration, custom deployment configurations, or traditional OS-based monitoring tools. In this case, please follow this detailed guide in our documentation: Migrating your packaged OpenProject installation to another environment.

On the other hand, migrating from a packaged installation to Docker is a future-proof choice. It simplifies upgrades and deployments — especially since OpenProject will no longer release packages for newer OS versions such as Ubuntu 24.04, and recommends Docker-based installations for long-term use. To switch from packaged to Docker installation, please see this detailed guide in our documentation.

Migration to Kubernetes (Helm)

Migrating to Kubernetes using Helm charts is a powerful option for teams that need to scale OpenProject in dynamic environments or integrate it into an existing Kubernetes infrastructure. This setup is especially relevant for DevOps teams managing multiple services in containers.

While we don’t provide a step-by-step migration guide at this point, the Helm-based deployment is well-documented and maintained. Please note that this path requires advanced Kubernetes and Helm knowledge.

Tip

Helm-based deployments are ideal for teams with Kubernetes experience. If you’re new to Kubernetes, consider evaluating Docker first — it provides a more accessible starting point with fewer moving parts.

To learn more about the benefits and setup, see this article that compares different OpenProject installation types, with a focus on Helm charts.

Migration between PostgreSQL versions

OpenProject uses PostgreSQL as its database backend. If you’re upgrading PostgreSQL (for example, from version 10 to version 13), you’ll need to migrate the database using a controlled process to avoid data loss or compatibility issues.

We provide specific documentation depending on how OpenProject was installed:

• For a migration to PostgreSQL 13
• For Docker-based installations
• For installations using OpenProject’s packaged PostgreSQL

Make sure to create a full backup before performing any PostgreSQL migration.

Tip

Instead of upgrading the database in place, we recommend doing a backup of OpenProject and restoring it on a newly installed database with the newer version where possible.

Migration from an old MySQL database

If you’re using a much older version of OpenProject, you may not be able to directly upgrade to the current version. In that case, we recommend a fresh installation of the latest version and a manual migration of your data.

This method is especially relevant if you’re switching from an unsupported OS or an outdated setup. Please read our documentation on upgrading older OpenProject versions.

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Conclusion: Migrations are manageable

Most migrations between installation types are technically straightforward — especially with a clear plan and the right tools. Always make sure to consult our installation documentation and follow our backup and restore guide before making changes.

If you have questions or want to exchange with other users, feel free to ask in the Community forum.

OpenProject among top products in 2025

We are thrilled to announce that OpenProject has once again been recognized by Gartner Digital Markets in 2025, earning accolades across multiple platforms for our unwavering commitment to excellence in project management solutions.

In 2025, OpenProject has been honored with the following distinctions:

• Software Advice: Front runners 2025
• GetApp: Category leaders 2025
• Capterra Shortlist 2025: Project management software

In 2024, OpenProject achieved an impressive overall score of 4.5 out of 5 across all three Gartner Digital Markets platforms: Capterra, GetApp, and Software Advice. This year, we have continued to build on that success, higher improving our rating to 4.6 out of 5, maintaining our high standards and dedication to our users. Our consistent recognition by Gartner Digital Markets is a testament to the trust and satisfaction of our user community.

Gratitude to our Community

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our users for their continuous support and valuable feedback. Your insights drive us to innovate and improve, ensuring that OpenProject remains at the forefront of project management solutions.

As we celebrate these achievements, we remain committed to empowering teams worldwide with robust, reliable, and innovative project management solutions.

Want to review OpenProject yourself?

We greatly appreciate your valuable feedback and look forward to many more reviews.

• Review us on Software Advice
• Review us on GetApp
• Review us on Capterra

How do cities and municipalities keep track of internal tasks, complaints, and maintenance requests? Without a structured solution, delays, unclear responsibilities, and high coordination efforts arise. OpenProject provides a digital ticket management solution for municipalities that simplifies processes and increases transparency. Read this article to learn how to use OpenProject as ticket management, on the example of a German city administration.

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Why digital ticket management is essential for public administration

Digital ticket management is more than just processing inquiries. Many municipalities still record daily tasks and internal reports via email, phone, or Excel spreadsheets — often with unclear responsibilities and long processing times.

Every day, cities and municipalities must coordinate numerous inquiries, complaints, and tasks:

• Citizens report issues such as noise disturbances or illegal waste disposal.
• Public buildings need maintenance and management.
• Public order services coordinate operations within the city.

Yet, many municipalities still lack a structured solution for internally recording, processing, and assigning these tasks. Instead, they rely on emails, Excel sheets, or even paper notes — leading to high coordination efforts, unclear responsibilities, and delays.

What happens internally to these tickets once they are created? How can it be ensured that they are efficiently assigned to the right personnel with the necessary capacity and expertise? And how do we ensure that all essential information is included?

OpenProject: More than just project management

A digital ticket management system like OpenProject solves exactly this problem. Employees can record tasks in a structured manner, assign them directly to the right people, and track progress — efficiently, transparently, and without complex IT integration.

OpenProject is more than a traditional project management tool — and also more than a classic ticketing system. The software combines both approaches in a way that suits the users’ needs. While typical ticketing systems are mostly designed for external requests, OpenProject focuses on internal organization and processing of tasks.

This makes OpenProject an ideal solution for municipalities to manage daily administrative tasks and internal processes more efficiently — whether for citizen inquiries, building maintenance, or deployment planning:

• Flexible configuration: Custom workflows tailored to different municipal departments.
• Structured recording: Tickets contain all relevant information from the start.
• Transparent processing: All stakeholders can track status and next steps.
• No media disruption: Communication and documentation happen directly in the system — without email clutter or files like “Ticket-2338-in-progress-2”.

Due to its high configurability, OpenProject allows great flexibility for users.

Best practice: How a city administration uses OpenProject for digital ticket management

To illustrate how this works in practice, let’s look at an example: Think of a typical German city administration that handles inquiries via emails, phone calls, and Excel spreadsheets. As this is a time-consuming and error-prone process, the city wants to introduce digital ticket management and decided to use OpenProject.

The city administration now centrally uses OpenProject for ticket management — from complaints in the public order office to building maintenance. With OpenProject as its central ticket management platform, the city administration is now able to:

• Record and prioritize complaints and inquiries centrally.
• Clearly define responsibilities and deadlines.
• Track the processing status in real-time.
• Work more efficiently and transparently.

Now, let’s dive deeper into the praxis and look at two concrete practical examples: How does this German city use ticket management in the area of public order services and in building management?

Use case: Ticket management for public order services

The public order office of our example city uses OpenProject to manage daily operations and complaints efficiently:

• Incoming complaints (e.g., noise disturbances, illegal parking, waste issues) are recorded as tickets and automatically assigned to the responsible staff.
• Task scheduling is managed through an agile board with priorities and deadlines.
• Employees document progress in real-time, including evidence or notes directly in the ticket.
• Citizen inquiries are handled faster and more transparently.

The advantage of OpenProject as a digital ticket system for public order services: Less coordination effort, faster processing, and transparent tracking.

Example: Managing a noise complaint with OpenProject

Here’s how a noise complaint could be processed using OpenProject:

1. A citizen reports repeated nighttime noise disturbances from a bar.
2. A public order officer logs the complaint as a work package of type ‘Ticket’ in OpenProject.
3. The department head prioritizes the case and assigns the work package to an on-site inspector.
4. The inspector conducts an on-site check and documents the findings within the ticket.
5. The status is updated to ‘Resolved’, with additional details added to the ticket’s activity log. The department head, tagged in the entry, automatically receives a notification.
6. If necessary, the bar is informed and a follow-up inspection is planned — a new work package is created, with a date and automatic reminder for a review in a few weeks.

Here’s how such a noise complaint ticket could look like in OpenProject:

Image: A work package in OpenProject, type ticket, named ‘Lärmbeschwerde: Bar Westend’, with discussions in the Activity tab, priority high and a set end date.

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Use case: Ticket management for building maintenance

A municipal administration has to manage and maintain many buildings. This is another great example on how to use OpenProject as digital ticket management software:

Each maintenance request or issue is logged as a ticket and assigned to the responsible team. Automated reminders ensure that regular inspections and maintenance are carried out on time. Priority repairs (e.g., defective heating in winter) can be handled immediately. The administration maintains a complete record of all completed actions. And all data, communication and information is centralized in the ticket.

The advantage of OpenProject as a digital ticket system for facility management: Structured maintenance planning, no overlooked tasks, and better resource allocation.

The city administration can configure OpenProject so that each building is represented via work package types, subdivided by building category. All tasks for these buildings - from repairs to regular inspections - are created directly in the system as associated subtasks and assigned to the responsible team members for processing. No need to search through lists or Excel sheets. And, of course, automated reminders – in-app and/or per email – prevent forgotten maintenance tasks.

An example of a simple agile status board with tickets in OpenProject could look like this:

Image: An agile status board with tickets of types like ‘Stadtmuseum’ or ‘Kita Regenbogenland’, sorted by status.

Example: Managing a heating repair in an elementary school

Here’s how a heating repair could be handled in OpenProject:

• The facility management team logs the issue as a work package of type ‘Ticket’ and adds the school name as a custom field of type ‘Building’.
• The responsible janitor, added as an external person, receives a notification.
• The repair is documented within the ticket, including photos and notes.
• Once completed, the ticket is closed and serves as a permanent record.

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Why OpenProject is the ideal ticket management solution for public administrations

There are many software options for task and ticket management. With its open source approach and hosting in Europe, OpenProject is an excellent choice for European municipalities and government agencies.

Why OpenProject is the ideal ticket management solution for the public sector:

• Easy implementation and no complex IT integration.
• Open source and GDPR-compliant — developed for European administrations.
• Choice between secure cloud solutions or self-hosting.
• Flexible customization — from facility management to public order offices.
• Open source and independent — no vendor lock-in with U.S.-based providers.
• Part of openDesk — the digital workplace solution for public institutions.

Learn more about OpenProject for the public sector, including more best practices and case studies.

Not just anyone can become a European Capital of Culture. Since 1985, the European Union has awarded this title to cities whose applications were convincing in six criteria of a multi-year selection process. These include long-term strategy, European dimension, cultural and artistic content, but also the ability to implement the project and the successful involvement of society and administration.

A city who manages to do this proves that they are capable of managing the largest and most complex projects, and Chemnitz in Saxony has achieved this: in 2025, Chemnitz proudly bears the title of “European Capital of Culture”, accompanied by a long list of events.

Out of the silos, a single source of truth was needed

Alexander Hoffmann is responsible for digitalization in Chemnitz. Hoffmann has a background in IT project management, was originally trained as a classic project manager (IT), but later switched to agile project management and attaches great importance to using the right approaches and tools for the job. “The added value lies at the process level,” he explains. Many years ago, he took on the task of setting up project management at the City of Chemnitz’s IT department. “There were a lot of projects that had to be implemented and there still are - and we had to get out of the silos.” And that’s where OpenProject came in. Hoffmann was already familiar with the software and also has direct and close contact with Chemnitz Hospital, which also uses OpenProject.

Alexander Hoffmann is Head of Digitization and Development at the Office for Information Processing of the City of Chemnitz

The most important motivation behind the project management in OpenProject is also to promote the digitalization of the City of Chemnitz internally and externally and also to provide the platform for other municipal projects, such as residents’ meetings or construction projects, of the City of Chemnitz. To this end, Chemnitz operates a self-hosted instance of OpenProject, in-house and completely in the city network. 2500 potential users could register and work with it, and there are also plans to offer the software to external partners and connect it to Nextcloud. The approach to open source is not ideological, but very pragmatic. Chemnitz also uses around 200 MS Project licenses, of which around one hundred will probably remain. The approach does not follow any ideology “If we halve the number, we will have recouped the costs for OpenProject,” says Hoffmann happily.

Low entry barriers with open source

Open source as a value in itself is also playing an increasingly important role as a decision-making factor in Chemnitz. “If we can use open source software, then we combine two opportunities: the entry barrier is lower, we can test and evaluate software without consultants, tenders and thoughts about purchasing licenses. This flexibility alone makes it worthwhile for us to increasingly rely on open source software.” And the fact that the IT architecture for open source software are transparent and comprehensible from the outset also plays a major role. “Whenever we make a purchase, we always check whether there are open source options, which is the first step for all cross-sectional applications, including project management. This is also a question of security,” confirms Hoffmann. “And the fact that we can always use free software solutions the way we want plays a role. It also has to be self-hosted; in many cases, externally hosted clouds are no (longer) an option.”

Implementation of the Digital Agenda

Chemnitz is not alone in this, but the topics of the Digital Agenda, such as the Online Access Act or the e-file and how access for citizens and stakeholders can be created in practice, are also on Hoffmann’s mind day in, day out. “Every e-file that we introduce is a project in a clearly defined tree structure. The “Digital Agenda” is the overarching element in OpenProject and each pillar is a sub-project.

Image source: City of Chemnitz, Roadmap of Digital Agenda

OpenProject is very well suited for this and we can also use it to directly inform the top management. They get an up-to-date status quickly and easily without us having to write extra reports.” Mayors who can read along directly in project management sounds unusual, and of course “we prepare the views for the decision-makers, but since we have introduced the software, it has made our work much easier.”

Project templates reduce workload to a fifth

For implementing these challenging goals, there are project managers who maintain the projects and keep their status up to date. Project templates in OpenProject (e.g. for the e-file) help to reduce the effort for new projects to 20% during planning. Chemnitz uses templates, checklists, wiki articles, and more in OpenProject, so that a project manager only has to adapt the project plan according to the new project.

Image source: City of Chemnitz, project template e-file in OpenProject

“It’s a matter of a few hours, and it frees up the project managers to concentrate on managing the teams and projects. They’re all happy for every bit of administrative work they’re spared,” shares Hoffmann.

Image source: City of Chemnitz, example work package template e-file in OpenProject

Although Chemnitz also operates a separate wiki, the wiki in OpenProject is used for all project-specific content. Time recording is also used, but only in the sense of overall time recording, i.e. estimated for projects, with a target/actual comparison for rough resource planning and personnel requirements planning. Meetings are also planned in OpenProject, “the project management software serves as a single source of truth for the many participants.”

Waterfall and agile: boards, tasks, sprints

Chemnitz combines classic project management with agile methods for its project work. Boards and tasks are used in the projects, even if “the projects of the Digital Agenda are mostly organized in a classic way, development assignments are managed agile with backlogs, roadmaps, sprints, sprint planning and so on. We use both approaches, including hybrid ones,” explains the department head. “Not all employees always use all the options that we and the software offer, nor do they have to. We have the backlogs module, but not everyone needs the burn-down and burn-up charts, story points, and sometimes the employee rights also prevent us from using various approaches, for example if this would make performance control and monitoring possible. But we work a lot with the basics, such as epics and the like.”

Configurable down to the last detail

The administration of the European Capital of Culture is also innovative: it defines its own project types and more and more using the project lists in OpenProject. The developers of OpenProject are now working on project phases, a feature that Chemnitz configured via tasks and milestones and thus automatically fills the timeline. This then almost automatically displays “endangered” projects or extended attributes, for example criteria such as “This is an important infrastructure project”. In a current project, the City of Chemnitz is currently introducing a new work package type “project” - this is also possible due to the flexible open source nature of the software.

Hundreds of projects at work

There are currently 345 projects being planned in Chemnitz, around 116 of which are active, and of which around 60 percent are digitalization projects. Other IT projects make up almost the entire remainder. “The Digital Agenda in particular has led to a huge increase in projects. Many new projects are only named in the beginning. They are given a short title and classification and still have to go through the process of specification to become a real ‘project’”. Only when the stakeholders and milestones and everything else have been defined clearly are the projects fully implemented in OpenProject. In the past, all of this was kept in Excel, but today the plans are already available in OpenProject via a link and are waiting to become a project at some point. “The many necessary budget processes beforehand make this necessary - and we can’t yet map them properly. But we are hopeful that we will be able to map this with a ‘project’ work package type at some point.”

Open source is more flexible than the proprietary competition

The conscious decision to use project templates for almost all project types makes everyday life easier for employees and managers. “It is now also a very conscious and comprehensible decision as to when a work package type becomes a project.” Once this is done, the project manager, for example, is also appointed straight away. “We have two views implemented in OpenProject: On the one hand, IT project planning with work package view ‘Project’ and the project list itself. This allows us to mix agile and classic projects - that’s priceless flexibility, not at all like the tight corset imposed by the proprietary competition.”

With OpenProject, Chemnitz has not only found the right tool to manage hundreds of projects efficiently but also created a sustainable foundation for future collaboration and innovation. By integrating the open source project management software into their digital strategy, the city is proving that transparency, flexibility, and self-reliance are key to successfully managing the Digital Agenda and the European Capital of Culture 2025.