Microsoft Planner has evolved into a versatile project management tool within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. This guide provides an overview of its features, comparisons with other Microsoft tools, and insights into its various use cases.
What is Microsoft Planner?
Microsoft Planner is a project management tool integrated within the Microsoft 365 suite. It facilitates teamwork by allowing users to create, assign, and manage tasks across different projects in an organized and visual manner. Planner is particularly beneficial for small to medium-sized project teams looking to maintain collaboration and transparency in their project processes.
Core Features:
- Task Creation and Assignment
- Boards and Buckets for organization
- Integration with Microsoft Teams
- Progress Tracking and Visual Representations
Microsoft Planner vs. Microsoft Project
Recently, Microsoft has combined Planner and Project into a single, flexible tool within Microsoft 365. This unified platform offers features suitable for both beginners and advanced project managers.
Basic Features (Microsoft Planner):
- Included in Microsoft 365 subscriptions
- Ideal for simple tasks and small projects
- Easy team collaboration
Advanced Features (Microsoft Project):
- Available as paid add-ons (Project Plan 3 and Project Plan 5)
- Offers more complex project management tools
- Suitable for large-scale, enterprise-level projects
Availability and Pricing
Microsoft Planner is included in various Microsoft 365 and Office 365 subscription plans at no additional cost.
Advanced features (formerly Microsoft Project) are available as paid add-ons:
- Project Plan 3 ($30 per user/month)
- Project Plan 5 ($55 per user/month)
Accessing Planner in Microsoft Teams
Planner, now known as “New Planner” in Teams, integrates features from Microsoft Planner, Microsoft Project, and Microsoft To Do into a single platform. It can be easily accessed through the Apps section in Microsoft Teams.
Choosing Between Basic Planner and Advanced Plans
Start with Basic Planner for simple project management needs. Consider upgrading to Plan 3 or Plan 5 for more complex projects requiring advanced tools like Gantt charts and resource management
Microsoft Planner offers a scalable solution for project management within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Whether you need basic task management or advanced project planning tools, Planner provides a unified platform to meet diverse project management requirements.
