Microsoft Planner August Transition: Key Features Being Retired

Microsoft’s Transition: Retiring Project for the Web in Favor of Planner

In a strategic move, Microsoft has announced its plan to phase out Project for the web, along with the Project and Roadmap applications that operate within Microsoft Teams, by August. The company aims to streamline its services by directing users toward Planner, promising a consolidated work management experience. This integration focuses on combining Project for the web, To Do, and Planner into a cohesive system.

Understanding the Change: Why Microsoft is Unifying Its Tools

The rationale behind this transition is straightforward: to reduce confusion stemming from multiple product offerings. As Microsoft elaborates:

“Previously, Project for the web, Project in Teams, and Roadmap in Teams operated as separate endpoints from Planner. Since Planner for the web and Planner in Teams include the same premium plans as Project for the web, we are consolidating our endpoints to ease confusion.”

What This Means for Users: A Smooth Transition Ahead

Microsoft has confirmed that there will be no need for migration or changes in licensing, facilitating an effortless transition for organizations adapting to the new structure. Nonetheless, users should be aware that certain features from Project for the web will not be available in Planner:

Roadmaps: Users cannot directly open Roadmaps in Planner. However, they can utilize the Portfolio feature to recreate their existing Roadmaps as Portfolios. It’s important to note that portfolios do not support the addition of Azure DevOps or Project Online rows. Existing roadmap data will still be accessible in Dataverse.

Importing.mpp files: While importing plans created in Project desktop is not supported in Planner, users can transfer projects using the Planner (formerly Project) Power Apps/Accelerator. For guidance, refer to this link on how to move your project from Project desktop to Planner Power Apps.

Roadmap Tab in Teams: Users will be able to pin Portfolios as a tab within Teams, enhancing integration.

Next Steps for Administrators and Users

For administrators, the transition does not require extensive pre- or post-process work. However, Microsoft recommends promptly informing users of the upcoming changes and updating any internal communications accordingly. It is also advisable for admins to migrate existing Roadmap data into Portfolios within Planner prior to the transition and to re-pin Project tabs in Teams to reflect the new setup.

In summary, Microsoft’s transition to consolidate its project management tools into Planner marks a significant shift towards a more integrated and user-friendly experience. By streamlining its offerings, the tech giant aims to enhance productivity while alleviating confusion among users about its various applications.

Source & Images