Warning, the below article includes FOMO-inducing use of the word ‘premium’.
#TL;DR
Microsoft is integrating the features of Microsoft To Do, Microsoft Planner, Microsoft Project for the web, and Microsoft Copilot into a unified experience. This new approach intends to provide a comprehensive solution for managing tasks at various scales, from individual plans to larger-scale project management, enabling you to manage all of your tasks and project work in one place. Scroll to the end for key dates.
Details
You will be able to find and manage all your tasks, to-do lists, plans, and projects across Microsoft 365 applications in one simple, familiar experience. You will have the flexibility to work the way you and your teams want, from individual task management to large team initiatives. You will be able to choose from templates, views, and approaches including lists, boards, timelines, and sprints to personalise your plan.
The new Planner experience will include features such as agile sprint planning, team workload, goals alignment, custom fields, and task history that is currently available in Project for the web. You will be able to get big-picture views and configure, extend, and automate the new Planner.
Built on Microsoft Power Platform, the new Planner will enable customised reporting through Microsoft Power BI and configurable workflows through Microsoft Power Automate. It will also integrate with Microsoft Viva Goals, connecting to your objectives and key results (OKR) to inform plans and provide high-level visibility.
With the help of AI, Copilot in Planner will assist you in generating new plans, setting goals, tracking status, and reacting to changes as projects evolve. Copilot will support you and your team, making work and project management faster and easier.
Integration with other Microsoft 365 experiences such as Microsoft Loop, Microsoft Outlook, Viva Goals, and Teams, will enable you to stay in the flow of work. You’ll be able to bring existing Planner plans into a Loop workspace and track your team plan alongside other project content in one place. Emails you flag in Outlook, or action items assigned to you from Teams meetings will also be visible in Planner.
Availability
- ON HOLD: The current Tasks by Planner and To Do app in Teams will be renamed to Planner – due November 2023
- ON HOLD 11th Dec 2023: Project for the web, Project Teams tab, and Project Power app renamed to Planner (Project) – due late January to early February 2024
- The new Planner app in Teams generally available – due Spring 2024
- The web experience of the new Planner will be generally available – later in 2024
- Microsoft Project for the web features will be available in the new Planner app in Teams and the Planner web app – later in 2024
Source, related links, and references
The above content is a summary from this Microsoft post: The new Microsoft Planner: A unified experience bringing together to-dos, tasks, plans and projects – Microsoft Community Hub.
Watch the on-demand Microsoft Ignite session, a great overview of the changes and timings: The new Microsoft Planner: Bring together to-dos, plans and projects (embedded below).
New Microsoft Planner datasheet.
Read the MS FAQ.
Images: Microsoft.
Ask a question
Discuss or share this update on X/Twitter or LinkedIn.
Page originally published
25th November 2023 and kept up to date.
Want to know what else is late, new, and coming soon across M365 and Teams this month? Check out the latest roundup.
