How to use the NEW Microsoft Planner in Teams

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through using the new Microsoft Planner within Microsoft Teams. This integrated tool is designed to help you manage tasks and projects efficiently, combining features from Microsoft To-Do, Planner, and Project for the web. By the end of this guide, you'll know how to access Planner, navigate its features, create tasks and plans, and integrate it into your Teams channels.

Chapter 1: Accessing the New Microsoft Planner in Teams

1. Open Microsoft Teams
   Launch Microsoft Teams on your device.

2. Access the Apps Section

   • Click on Apps located on the left sidebar.
   • In the search bar, type "Planner" and select it from the results.
   • Once opened, you can pin Planner to your sidebar for easy access by right-clicking and selecting Pin.

3. Overview of Microsoft Planner

   • The new Planner combines functionalities from various Microsoft applications into one AI-powered app.
   • It provides a collaborative environment for managing personal tasks and large-scale projects.

Chapter 2: Navigating the New Microsoft Planner My Day

1. Explore My Day

   • Click on My Day to view tasks due for the current day.
   • Check off completed tasks to track progress.
   • Use the sorting feature to organize tasks by status, due date, or importance.

2. Task Details

   • Hover over tasks to see details and make necessary adjustments, including changing priority levels.
   • Add new tasks directly from the My Day view.

Chapter 3: Understanding My Tasks

1. Access My Tasks

   • Click on My Tasks to see all tasks assigned to you, including those from flagged emails and other plans.

2. Filtering Tasks

   • Use the filter options to view tasks by their source, such as flagged emails or private tasks.

3. Task Details and Attachments

   • Check for attachments and details associated with each task for a comprehensive view.

Chapter 4: Managing My Plans

1. View All Plans

   • Click on My Plans to see all your projects from various Microsoft applications.
   • This view syncs all plans, making it easy to manage multiple projects.

2. Accessing and Creating New Plans

   • Click on a plan to see its details or create a new one by selecting New Plan.
   • You can start from scratch or use templates to expedite the creation process.

Chapter 5: Creating a New Plan and Adding Tasks

1. Create a New Plan

   • Click on New Plan and enter a name for your plan.
   • Optionally choose a group (Microsoft Team) to associate with the plan.

2. Adding Tasks to the Plan

   • Within your plan, you can create buckets to organize tasks.
   • Add tasks by entering a task name, setting a due date, and assigning it to team members.

3. Using the Board View

   • Switch to the board view to visually manage tasks.
   • Drag and drop tasks between buckets for better organization.

4. Utilizing Templates

   • Click on See All Templates to choose a pre-designed structure for your plan.
   • Customize the selected template as needed.

Chapter 6: Integrating Planner into Teams Channels

1. Add Planner to a Channel

   • Navigate to the desired channel in Microsoft Teams.
   • Click on + to add a new tab and select Planner.
   • Choose an existing plan or create a new one, then click Save.

2. Collaborate with Your Team

   • Team members can now view and manage tasks directly within the Teams interface.
   • Use the Planner tab to check off assignments and keep everyone updated.

Conclusion

Using the new Microsoft Planner in Teams streamlines task and project management by integrating various functionalities into a single platform. By following this guide, you can effectively access, navigate, and utilize Planner, create and manage tasks, and collaborate with your team. For further enhancement of your productivity, explore the various views and templates available in Planner. Happy planning!