You could say that the new design of Microsoft Planner is already “in the oven.” We still don't know when it will be official, but Microsoft has already confirmed that interesting news is coming. One of the most important is that this tool will have Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.
In fact, the renewal can be so profound, that It is possible that it will even end up changing its name. Let's see in more detail what this tool offers us and what we can expect with the new design.
Microsoft's tool to collaborate and manage tasks
Among the productivity applications of Microsoft 365 we find Planner, a tool designed for facilitate team collaboration and task management at an individual and collective level.
Through it we can plan tasks, track their progress, and Easily collaborate with other people.
If you haven't tried it yet and are wondering why it's so popular, here are a few reasons:
- Visual boards. Tasks are grouped into visual boards, so it's easy to get an idea of the status of each task. It tells us which ones are pending, which ones are in progress, and which ones have been completed. When working as a team, this It is especially useful for streamlining collaboration.
- Creation and assignment of tasks. Each user can create tasks and assign them to another team member. Its To It greatly facilitates the distribution of work and helps everyone to be clear about what they have to do.
- Checklists and descriptions. In each task we can add a list detailing the items that need to be completed. For example, the specific sections that we want to appear within a report.
- Views and filters. Users can segment information in the way that is most useful to them. For example, grouping tasks by due date, by progress status, or by assignment.
- Notifications One of its greatest advantages is that it sends us notifications and reminders about the tasks we have pending. And it also informs us about the progress status of the tasks. Thus, no one gets lost, and everyone on the team knows where everyone else is at.
To all this we must add that we can work with different boards at the same time. Thus, We have independently organized the information related to each project, and the chances of error or duplication of tasks are reduced.
And, as you can imagine, it is fully integrated with Microsoft 365, so it gives us access to other applications and services such as Outlook, Teams and SharePoint.
What's new in the new Microsoft Planner design?
Microsoft has always been a leading company when it comes to office automation, and is present through programs such as Word or Excel in companies around the world. Therefore, it is not surprising that, in recent years, it has chosen to enhance its tools linked to the work ecosystem, such as Planner.
Planner + Copilot
Through the information that has been leaked, we have been able to know that Copilot will have a presence in the new version of Planner. That is, we will be able to take advantage of all the advantages of AI in this tool.
This is one more step to advance in the objective you have Microsoft to focus its AI towards the work environment and improving productivity. Thus differentiating itself from other Artificial Intelligences.
His role at Planner is yet to be discovered, but toIt seems to indicate that it will help users create new projects and organize tasks in a more efficient and faster way. In fact, as the project progresses, Copilot could suggest new tasks to perform or add new objectives to the work.
What awaits us is a conjunction between the To Do application and Microsoft Project, along with all the features that Planner currently has, and the improvements that can come from Copilot.
The new version of Planner will debut on Microsoft Teams in spring 2024, and a few months later your new web service will be launched.
Tips to get more out of Microsoft Planner
The new design of Microsoft Planner is going to arrive with many new features. To get the most out of them, It is best that you know this tool in depth and squeeze out everything possible its current functionalities. To do this, you can apply these tips:
Effective planning
Before starting to use technology, do basic planning of your project with the help of pencil and paper. Defining the objectives, the tasks to be performed and the delivery times.
With this clear, now you can start creating your boards and organizing the information the best possible way.
Create boards for each project or subproject
If you have several projects underway, or a very large project that you are going to divide into several parts, Create different boards to organize information. This will allow you to have a clear and separate vision of what needs to be done at all times, and will prevent you from getting confused.
Assign tasks
Take advantage of this functionality to assign specific tasks to different team members. This guarantees faster progress, and it also helps you measure the performance of those who work with you.
Set expiration dates
If you want the work done quickly, even if you are not collaborating with anyone and working individually, Set due dates for each task. This is a simple way to “put pressure on” and ensure that there are no delays or last-minute rushes.
Take advantage of checklists
If a task is complex, use these lists to define the steps that must be taken to finish it. This makes work easier and progress on the task faster.
The new design of Microsoft Planner will arrive soon, which isWe are sure that it will make this tool even more useful and practical. In the meantime, don't miss the opportunity to take advantage of all its features and improve your productivity.