Calendars, task lists, and project planning are essential tools for every business. Here at DubLow Digital, small businesses in Colorado need practical solutions to stay organized and efficient. Many people rely on Microsoft’s suite of apps for managing tasks, including Microsoft Planner, To Do, and Project for the Web.
These tools help keep processes on track and enable accountability. However, using them as separate apps can be cumbersome and adds complexity to your workflow. On average, employees switch between 22 different apps around 350 times per day—Microsoft aims to reduce this app overload with its brand-new version of Microsoft Planner, set to launch in early 2024. The updated Planner has exciting features to simplify your project management journey.
What Apps Does the New Planner Integrate?
The all-new Microsoft Planner combines:
- The collaboration features of the current Planner
- The simplicity of Microsoft To-Do for managing tasks
- The capabilities of Microsoft Project for the web
- The automation of Microsoft Copilot (Microsoft’s AI assistant)
Here at DubLow Digital, we believe that the new Planner will be a powerful tool for helping Colorado businesses stay organized, boost collaboration, and achieve their goals more easily.
Unifying Your Workflow: Tasks, Plans, & Projects in One Place
Say goodbye to juggling multiple apps and welcome a streamlined experience. The new Planner goes beyond simple to-do lists by unifying tasks, plans, and projects under one roof. This means that businesses in Colorado can manage everything—from daily tasks to complex, multi-phased projects—all within a single, intuitive interface.
You can access the new Microsoft Planner within Microsoft Teams or via a web browser. Here are some of the exciting features you’ll be able to use.
Enhanced Collaboration: Working Together Made Easy
Collaboration is critical in today’s fast-paced world. With remote work becoming the new normal, tools must be able to keep people connected wherever they are. Here at DubLow Digital, we believe that effective collaboration drives business success.
The new Planner empowers teams to collaborate seamlessly with real-time updates, ensuring everyone stays aligned. Features, like shared task ownership and built-in comments, foster clear communication and efficient teamwork.
AI-Powered Insights: Your Smart Copilot for Success
The new Planner integrates AI through Microsoft Copilot, providing an intelligent assistant to help you stay on top of your work. Based on your needs and context, Copilot can suggest relevant plans, tasks, and goals, analyze your progress, and recommend adjustments to keep you on track.
Scaling with Your Needs: From Simple Tasks to Enterprise Projects
Not all projects are the same size; the new Planner understands this. It’s designed to be flexible, allowing you to use it for simple tasks and more complex enterprise projects. Whether managing a personal to-do list or planning a large-scale company transformation, Planner can adapt to your needs.
Pre-Built Templates: Get Started Quickly & Save Time
You don’t have to start from scratch every time. Microsoft Planner offers several ready-made templates to help you kick-start your projects and goals quickly. You’ll find templates for:
- Project Management
- Software Development
- Sprint Planning
- Marketing Campaigns
- Commercial Construction
- Employee Onboarding
- And more
Key Features of the New Microsoft Planner 2024
- Improved Navigation: A redesigned interface makes finding what you need faster and easier.
- Enhanced Task Views: Customize how you see and organize your tasks with different views, such as grid and board views.
- Microsoft App Integration: Seamlessly integrates with many Microsoft tools, including Power BI, Teams, Microsoft Viva Goals, Power Automate, and more.
- Customizable Fields: Add custom fields to tasks to capture specific information relevant to your Project.
- Goal Setting: Set clear goals and track progress visually within your plans.
- Critical Path: Identify essential tasks needed to complete your Project on time.
- Improved Search: Powerful search features help you find information quickly and easily.
Access and Availability
Mark your calendars! The new Microsoft Planner will be available in preview in early 2024 and will be generally available soon after. Some features will roll out later in the year. You can visit Microsoft’s site to sign up for updates and access a feature roadmap.
The Future of Task Management and Project Planning
Here at DubLow Digital, we’re seeing a trend in the digital world—less is more. This means fewer apps to juggle and more streamlined interfaces. The new Microsoft Planner is designed to consolidate your tools into one powerful solution.
Planner’s new features make it an invaluable tool for streamlining workflows for individuals and teams. Its intuitive interface, combined with an AI-powered assistant, can drive productivity for businesses in Colorado and beyond.
Get Expert Business Software Support & Management
Managing both legacy and new cloud tools can be complex. Features often need to be more utilized, and security can be a big issue if appropriately handled. Here at DubLow Digital, our team of business software experts is here to help small businesses in Colorado get the most out of their software investments.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and see how we can help simplify your project management.
