The NEW Microsoft Planner (2024): NEVER Miss a Deadline Again

Introduction

This tutorial provides a comprehensive guide to the new Microsoft Planner as of late 2024. The latest version integrates features from Microsoft To Do, the old Planner, and Project for the Web, all within Microsoft Teams. By following this guide, you will learn how to navigate the new interface, manage your tasks effectively, collaborate with your team, and discover tips to enhance your productivity.

Step 1: Access Microsoft Planner in Teams

• Open Microsoft Teams.
• Navigate to the left sidebar and find the "Planner" app.
• If Planner is not visible, click on "Apps" at the bottom of the sidebar to search for it.
• Add Planner to your Teams interface for easy access.

Step 2: Understanding My Day, My Tasks, My Plans

• My Day: This view helps you focus on today’s tasks.
• My Tasks: This aggregates tasks from various sources, including flagged emails and team tasks, providing a centralized location for personal productivity.
• My Plans: This section allows you to view and manage all your plans for team collaboration.

Step 3: Managing Personal Productivity with My Tasks

• Access the My Tasks pane:
  • Click on the "My Tasks" section in Planner.
• Organize your tasks:
  • Flag important emails to have them appear in this section.
  • Create personal tasks directly within the My Tasks view.
• Prioritize your tasks based on deadlines and importance.

Step 4: Collaborating with Your Team in My Plans

• Navigate to the My Plans section to see all team projects.
• Create a new plan:
  • Click on "New Plan" and choose a name for your project.
  • Select whether to make it a private or public plan.
• Assign tasks to team members:
  • Click on a task to open it and use the "Assign" feature to delegate responsibilities.

Step 5: Creating Basic Plans from the Old Planner

• In the Planner interface, select "New Plan" for a basic plan setup.
• Add tasks by clicking on "Add Task":
  • Enter a task name.
  • Set a due date and assign team members.
• Use labels to categorize tasks and enhance organization.

Step 6: Building Premium Plans from Project for the Web

• For more advanced planning, choose the "Premium Plan" option.
• Utilize Gantt charts and timelines for better project visualization.
• Link tasks and set dependencies to manage complex projects effectively.

Step 7: Tips to Speed Up Your Experience

• Use keyboard shortcuts for quicker navigation:
  • For example, press Ctrl + N to create a new task.
• Take advantage of the "Copy Task" feature to duplicate tasks without re-entering information.
• Regularly review and update your tasks to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
• Integrate Planner with other Microsoft 365 tools for seamless workflow management.

Conclusion

By following this guide, you can effectively utilize the new Microsoft Planner to manage your tasks and collaborate with your team. Regularly check your My Tasks and My Plans sections to stay on top of deadlines and productivity. Explore the advanced features of Premium Plans for complex projects and remember to implement the tips for an optimized Planner experience. Enjoy streamlined task management and never miss a deadline again!