Alright, imagine you’re juggling, but instead of balls, you’re tossing around calendars, task lists, and project plans. Now, Microsoft steps in and says, “Hey, let’s simplify that with something a bit less… chaotic.” Enter the brand spanking new Microsoft Planner.
Microsoft’s basically taken a blender to their apps – the current Planner, To Do, Project for the web, and even tossed in a dash of AI with Microsoft Copilot – to create a mega app. It’s a Swiss Army knife of organisational tools, promising to streamline your workflow so you can focus on actually getting stuff done instead of spending all your time app.
Latest research shows that workers toggle between apps a staggering 1,200 times a day – that adds up to 4 hours a week, roughly 9% of their time at work.
We’ve all been there, flipping through different apps all day. Not fun. But Microsoft’s new Planner is about to change that game, merging tasks, plans, and projects all in one cozy digital home.
Why You’ll Love the New Microsoft Planner:
- Simplicity: It’s your one-stop-shop for organising everything from your daily tasks to mega projects that require a bit more brainpower.
- Teamwork Without the Hassle: Remote work is here to stay, and this tool makes collaboration a breeze. Features like shared task ownership and comments foster clear communication and efficient collaboration.
- AI-Powered Wizardry: With Copilot built in, it’s like having a personal assistant who not only reminds you to breathe but also nudges you in the right direction, helping you stay on top of your game.
- Scale It Up or Down: Whether you’re planning a small gathering or orchestrating a full-scale business revolution, this planner adapts to your needs.
- Templates to Jumpstart Your Projects: Don’t reinvent the wheel. Use Microsoft’s templates to hit the ground running on your next project, saving you time and possibly a few hairs from being pulled out in frustration.
- You’ll see templates for things like:
- Project Management
- Software Development
- Sprint Planning
- Marketing Campaign
- Commercial Construction
- Employee Onboarding
- and more
Peek Into the Future with These Cool Features:
- Navigation So Smooth: The redesigned interface makes it easier to find what you need without needing a map and compass.
- Customisable Views: Whether you’re a grid fanatic or a board lover, there’s a view for you. Customise how you tackle your tasks.
- Integration Station: It plays nice with other Microsoft tools. This means you’re getting more from your Microsoft subscription and you might be able to save some money getting rid of other apps. Say bye-bye to Todoist, Notion, Monday or Trello and have everything in one system.
- Goal Setting and Tracking: Keep your eyes on the prize with visual goal tracking that would make a vision board jealous.
- The Critical Path: Identify what tasks are absolutely, positively necessary to keep your project on the straight and narrow.
When Can You Get Your Hands on It?
Roll out of the New Planner started on April 3rd 2024, look out for it popping up in your 365 experience soon.
Watch the new Planner demos for inspiration on how to get the most out of the new Planner app in Microsoft Teams.
The Future of Tasks, Planning & Project Management
The new Microsoft Planner 2024 is an example of a trend we’ve seen in the digital world. Less is more. Meaning, fewer apps to juggle and more streamlined interfaces.
Planner’s powerful features make it an invaluable tool. One that both individuals and teams alike can leverage to streamline workflows.
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