Microsoft has officially disclosed plans for a comprehensive update to its task management application, Microsoft Planner. The announcement, part of Microsoft Ignite 2023, reveals an ambitious effort to consolidate Microsoft's To Do app, Microsoft Project for the web, and the existing Planner app into a cohesive, unified experience. This new iteration retains the Microsoft Planner name but promises enhanced functionality and a seamless user experience across the Microsoft ecosystem.
Enhanced Features and AI-Enabled Capabilities
Planner makes it easier for businesses to manage teamwork operations, allowing the creation of team-wide email notifications, project due dates, and visual dashboards. When Microsoft launched Planner in 2016, the company said it simplified workflow management. I 2019, the company integrated Planner into Microsoft To Do.Â
The redesigned Microsoft Planner aims to facilitate scales from straightforward collaborative task management to more complex project management. By this, it intends to serve a wide user base, including information workers, frontline employees, and project managers. The platform is designed to allow users to manage all their tasks in a single location, streamlining workflow and harnessing the power of AI to bolster business outcomes.
Integration and Deployment Timeline
The integration will result in a name change for the Tasks by Planner and To Do app within Microsoft Teams to simply Planner. Moreover, despite adopting the new Planner branding, Microsoft Project for the web will maintain its existing features and functions. The launch of the new Planner app within Microsoft Teams is scheduled for Spring 2024, while the unveiling of the Planner web service is anticipated to follow at a later, yet unspecified, date. Microsoft commits to providing frequent updates as the release timeline for the web service crystallizes.
