Microsoft 365 Archives

Can you create a Gantt chart in Office 365?

Posted on September 3, 2024September 3, 2024 by Nicole

Yes, you can create a Gantt chart in Office 365, but the ability to do so depends on the tools and plans you are using within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

Creating a Gantt Chart in Microsoft 365

Microsoft Planner:

Basic Planner: The basic version of Microsoft Planner, included in most Microsoft 365 subscriptions, does not have native Gantt chart functionality. It’s primarily focused on task management with Kanban boards, lists, and calendar views.

Planner Plan 1: If you upgrade to Planner Plan 1 ($10.00 per user/month), you gain access to a Timeline (Gantt) view. This allows you to visualize your project schedule, task dependencies, and progress over time, which is essential for managing more complex projects.

Project Plan 3 and Project Plan 5:

Project Plan 3 ($30.00 per user/month): This plan includes advanced project management features, including a fully functional Gantt chart. The Gantt chart in Project Plan 3 allows you to manage tasks, set dependencies, track progress, and analyze project timelines in detail.

Project Plan 5 ($55.00 per user/month): This plan includes everything in Project Plan 3, plus additional enterprise-level project, and portfolio management features, with enhanced Gantt chart functionalities, such as baselines and critical path analysis.

Microsoft Excel:

Excel: While not a dedicated project management tool, you can create a simple Gantt chart in Excel by using a stacked bar chart or using templates available online. This is a more manual process and lacks the advanced features of dedicated project management tools, but it can be effective for smaller projects or when you don’t need the full power of Project.

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Does Office 365 have a project Planner?

Posted on September 3, 2024 by Nicole

Yes, Office 365 (now Microsoft 365) includes a project management tool called Planner. This tool is specifically designed to help teams organize tasks, collaborate on projects, and track progress in a simple, user-friendly environment.

Microsoft Planner in Microsoft 365

Microsoft Planner is included in most Microsoft 365 subscriptions and serves as a lightweight project management tool:

Task Management: Planner allows users to create tasks, assign them to team members, and set due dates. Tasks can include checklists, attachments, and comments to facilitate collaboration.

Visual Planning: It provides visual tools like Kanban boards, where tasks can be organized into various categories or stages, making it easy to track the progress of a project.

Integration with Teams: Planner is deeply integrated with Microsoft Teams, enabling users to manage their tasks directly within Teams channels, enhancing collaboration and communication.

Basic Features: The basic Planner features include real-time collaboration, task assignment, progress tracking, and simple reporting, which are all accessible via Microsoft Teams or the Planner web app.

Advanced Project Management Options

While Planner is excellent for basic project management, Microsoft 365 also offers more advanced project management capabilities through additional plans:

Planner Plan 1 ($10.00 per user/month): Adds features like project goals, backlogs, sprints, Gantt chart views, and premium plan templates, which are useful for more sophisticated project management needs.

Project Plan 3 ($30.00 per user/month): Includes everything in Planner Plan 1 plus advanced features like Copilot in Planner, task history, roadmaps, baselines, and resource management.

Project Plan 5 ($55.00 per user/month): Offers comprehensive project and portfolio management tools, suitable for managing complex, enterprise-level projects.

Third-Party Alternatives: Trovve

For teams looking for a more AI-enhanced planning solution, Trovve is a notable third-party option that integrates directly with Microsoft Teams:

Pricing: Ranges from $16 per user per month (annual) to $20 per user per month (quarterly).

Features: Trovve offers AI-powered task suggestions, seamless integration with Microsoft Teams, and centralized project management within Teams. It’s ideal for industries like Construction and Technology.

Try Trovve on Microsoft Teams free for 7 days – no credit card required

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What happened to MS Planner in Teams?

Is Microsoft Planner part of Office 365?

Is Planner included in Office 365?

Is project management included in Office 365?

Posted on September 3, 2024September 3, 2024 by Nicole

Yes, project management is included in Office 365 (now Microsoft 365), primarily through the Planner app, which has been designed to help teams manage tasks, projects, and collaborate effectively. However, the level of project management features you get depends on your specific Microsoft 365 subscription and whether you opt for additional plans.

Basic Project Management in Microsoft 365

Microsoft Planner: This tool is included with most Microsoft 365 subscriptions and offers basic project management capabilities. With Planner, you can create and manage tasks, assign them to team members, track progress using visual tools like Kanban boards, and collaborate in real-time within Microsoft Teams.

Features of Planner in Microsoft 365:

Task creation and management with checklists, files, and labels.

Real-time collaboration, commenting, and sharing.

Integration with Microsoft Teams for seamless communication.

Basic plan templates, List, Grid, and Board views.

Charts and task dependencies for simple project tracking.

Advanced Project Management (Additional Subscription Required)

For more advanced project management needs, you can upgrade to a higher-level plan that expands on the basic features included with Planner:

Planner Plan 1 ($10.00 per user/month):

Adds features like project goals, backlogs, sprints, premium plan templates, timeline (Gantt) views, and enhanced task dependencies.

Ideal for teams needing more advanced planning tools without the full complexity of traditional project management software.

Project Plan 3 ($30.00 per user/month):

Includes everything in Planner Plan 1, plus advanced features like Copilot in Planner (preview), task history, roadmaps, baselines, resource management, and financial tracking.

This plan also gives you access to the Project Online desktop client, making it suitable for more complex projects.

Project Plan 5 ($55.00 per user/month):

This plan is for enterprise-level project and portfolio management, including everything in Project Plan 3 plus portfolio management and enterprise resource allocation.

Best suited for organizations managing multiple large-scale projects with complex dependencies and resource management needs.

Third-Party Option: Trovve

If you’re looking for an AI-enhanced project management solution that integrates directly with Microsoft Teams, Trovve is an excellent option.

Pricing: Plans range from $16 per user per month (annual payment) to $20 per user per month (quarterly payment).

Best for: Teams seeking an AI-powered project management tool, particularly in project-centric industries like Construction and Technology. Trovve is ideal for project managers, operations managers, and team leaders.

Key Features:

Seamless Microsoft Teams Integration: Operates entirely within Microsoft Teams, eliminating the need to switch between apps.

AI-Powered Efficiency: Offers smart task suggestions and automated workflows to enhance productivity.

Full Microsoft 365 Compatibility: Works seamlessly with other Microsoft tools.

Centralized Workspace: Consolidates all project elements in one place within Teams.

Collaboration Tools: Facilitates document sharing, communication, and progress tracking.

Time-Saving Automation: AI handles task suggestions and workflow optimizations.

Benefits:

Saves time by eliminating the need to toggle between apps.

Reduces errors through centralized information management.

Boosts productivity with AI-powered insights.

Offers seamless adoption for teams already using Microsoft Teams.

Try Trovve on Microsoft Teams free for 7 days – no credit card required

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What is the best Microsoft planning tool?

Posted on September 3, 2024September 3, 2024 by Nicole

Microsoft 365 includes a variety of tools designed for various aspects of planning and project management, but the best tool for your needs depends on what exactly you’re looking to achieve.

Microsoft Planner: A Project Management Tool

Microsoft Planner is the go-to tool within Microsoft 365 for managing projects and tasks. It is designed more for project management rather than personal daily planning. Here’s what Planner offers:

Project Management Focus: Planner allows you to create tasks, assign them to team members, and track progress using visual tools like Kanban boards. It’s ideal for managing team projects, collaborating in real-time, and keeping track of deadlines.

Integration: Planner integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Teams and other Microsoft 365 apps, making it easy to manage projects within your existing workflows.

If You Need a More Advanced Planning Tool: Consider Trovve

If you’re looking for a more comprehensive planning tool that goes beyond project management to help you plan your day, manage projects, and leverage AI for planning capabilities, Trovve is a better option. Trovve is an M365 add-on that offers features designed to enhance both personal and professional planning:

Daily and Project Planning: Trovve helps you plan not just your projects but also your daily tasks, giving you a holistic view of your schedule and responsibilities.

AI Planning Capabilities: Trovve includes AI-powered features that help you optimize your plans, prioritize tasks, and save time by automating certain planning activities.

Seamless Integration with Microsoft 365: Trovve integrates deeply with Microsoft 365, allowing you to manage everything within the familiar Microsoft environment, including Microsoft Teams.

Try Trovve on Microsoft Teams free for 7 days – no credit card required

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Should I use MS Planner or MS Project?

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How much does it cost to add Project to Office 365?

Posted on September 3, 2024 by Nicole

Microsoft has consolidated its project management offerings, including Microsoft Project and Project Online, into a single app called Planner. This new Planner app is available in different plans, each offering various levels of features and capabilities. Below is a breakdown of the costs and features associated with each plan:

Microsoft Planner (Included in Microsoft 365)

Cost: Included with your Microsoft 365 subscription.

Features:

Real-time collaboration, commenting, and sharing via the Planner app in Microsoft Teams or the Planner web app.

Creation and management of tasks with features like files, checklists, and labels.

Tasks organized by “My Day,” “My Tasks,” and “Assigned to Me.”

Basic plan templates.

Ability to view reports and dashboards.

List, Grid, and Board views, as well as Charts.

Task dependencies.

Security, compliance, data privacy, accessibility, and Microsoft 365 customer support.

Planner Plan 1 (Formerly Project Plan 1)

Cost: $10.00 per user per month.

Features:

Includes everything in Planner for Microsoft 365, plus:

Project goals.

Backlogs and sprints for Agile project management.

Premium plan templates.

Enhanced reports.

Timeline (Gantt) view.

Task dependencies.

Customization and integration options.

Project Plan 3 (Advanced Features)

Cost: $30.00 per user per month.

Features:

Includes everything in Planner Plan 1, plus:

Copilot in Planner (preview).

Task history tracking.

Roadmaps for project planning.

Baselines and critical path analysis.

Resource request capabilities.

Program management.

Project financials, budgeting, and costing.

Advanced task dependencies with lead and lag.

Access to the Project Online desktop client.

Project Plan 5 (Comprehensive Enterprise Solution)

Cost: $55.00 per user per month.

Features:

Includes everything in Project Plan 3, plus:

Portfolio management for large-scale project tracking.

Enterprise resource management and allocation.

Advanced tools for managing complex project portfolios.

How to Add a Plan to Office 365

Purchase the Desired Plan: Navigate to the billing section and select Planner Plan 1, Project Plan 3, or Project Plan 5.

Follow the prompts to purchase and activate the plan.

Assign Licenses to Users: After purchasing, assign the appropriate licenses to users in your organization.

Install the Planner App in Microsoft Teams: To use the new Planner app, go to the Microsoft Teams app store, search for “Planner,” and click the “Add” button to integrate it into your Teams environment.

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Are Visio and Project included in Office 365?

Posted on September 3, 2024 by Nicole

Visio and Microsoft Project are partially included in standard Office 365 (now Microsoft 365) subscriptions, but full access to their advanced features requires additional plans. Here’s how these tools are included and what options to unlock their full potential.

Microsoft Visio in Microsoft 365

Basic viewing and editing capabilities for Visio are available in most Microsoft 365 subscriptions. This allows you to view, share, and perform simple edits on Visio diagrams directly within the Microsoft 365 environment. However, to access more advanced features, you’ll need to purchase one of the following plans:

Visio Plan 1: This plan is required if you want to create professional diagrams collaboratively online. It offers more templates and tools than the basic features included in standard subscriptions.

Visio Plan 2: For those needing to generate enterprise-level diagrams with a comprehensive set of tools, including advanced diagramming capabilities and desktop application access, Visio Plan 2 is necessary.

Microsoft Project in Microsoft 365

Microsoft Project has been integrated into the new Planner app within Microsoft 365, consolidating project management tools into a single platform.

Basic Features: The new Planner app includes basic project management features, primarily derived from the original Microsoft Planner. These features are available in most Microsoft 365 plans and cover fundamental task management and collaboration needs.

Advanced Features (Plan 3 or Plan 5): To access the advanced project management capabilities originally available in Microsoft Project—such as detailed scheduling, Gantt charts, and resource management—you need to upgrade to Project Plan 3 or Project Plan 5. These plans provide a more robust project management experience within the Planner app.

Adding Visio and Project to Office 365

To get the advanced versions of Visio and Microsoft Project in Office 365, follow these steps:

Access the Microsoft 365 Admin Center: Log in with administrative credentials.

Purchase the Appropriate Plan: For Visio: Choose either Visio Plan 1 or Plan 2 based on your requirements. For Project: Opt for Project Plan 3 or Plan 5 to unlock advanced project management tools.

Assign Licenses: Allocate the acquired licenses to users within your organization.

Install and Access: For Project: Install the Planner app in Microsoft Teams by searching for “Planner” in the Teams app store and clicking “Add.” For Visio: Use Visio through the web or desktop application according to the selected plan.

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Is MS Project being discontinued?

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Can I add Project to Office 365?

Posted on September 3, 2024 by Nicole

Yes, you can add the advanced features of Microsoft Project to your Office 365 (now Microsoft 365) subscription by purchasing an additional plan—specifically Project Plan 3 or Plan 5. The new Planner app in Microsoft 365 has integrated the capabilities of Microsoft Project, along with Microsoft Planner and Microsoft To Do, into one comprehensive tool. This means you can manage all aspects of your projects—from simple tasks to complex project schedules—within a single application accessible through Microsoft Teams.

The New Planner App

The new Planner app in Microsoft 365 brings together features from Microsoft Project, Planner, and To Do into one unified platform:

Microsoft Project Features: Access advanced project management tools like Gantt charts, resource management, and detailed scheduling. These features are available when you upgrade to Project Plan 3 or Plan 5.

Microsoft Planner and To Do Integration: The app also includes the task management and collaboration features of Planner, along with personal task management from To Do, allowing for a seamless project management experience.

Steps to Add Microsoft Project to Office 365

Access the Microsoft 365 Admin Center by logging in as an administrator.

Purchase a Project Plan: Navigate to the billing section and opt for either Project Plan 3 or Plan 5. Complete the purchase and activation steps as directed.

Assign Licenses to Users: Once the plan is purchased, distribute Microsoft Project licenses to the appropriate users in your organization.

Install the Planner App in Microsoft Teams: To leverage the integrated Planner app in Microsoft Teams, open Teams and select the Apps icon from the side menu. Search for “Planner” in the app store, then click the Add button to install it. This enables you to handle projects, tasks, and to-dos within Teams.

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How do I enable Microsoft Project in Office 365?

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Is Project included in Office 365?

Posted on September 3, 2024 by Nicole

No, Microsoft Project, the advanced project management tool, is not included by default in the standard Office 365 (now Microsoft 365) subscriptions. However, Microsoft 365 offers project management capabilities through the new Planner app, which integrates features from Microsoft Project, Planner, and To Do into a single tool.

The New Planner App

Microsoft 365 has introduced the new Planner app that consolidates basic project planning features available with most Microsoft 365 subscriptions. This app provides tools for task management, team collaboration, and visual project tracking. However, the full range of advanced Microsoft Project features, such as detailed scheduling, resource management, and Gantt charts, requires an upgrade to a higher subscription plan.

Accessing Microsoft Project Features

Basic Planner Features: Included with most Microsoft 365 subscriptions, these cover essential project management needs like task assignments, Kanban boards, and integration with Microsoft Teams.

Advanced Project Features (Plan 3 or Plan 5): To access the full capabilities of Microsoft Project within the new Planner app, you need to upgrade to Project Plan 3 or Plan 5. These plans provide access to more sophisticated project management tools, making it suitable for complex projects.

Integration with Microsoft Teams

The new Planner app is fully integrated with Microsoft Teams, allowing users to manage tasks, collaborate with team members, and track project progress directly within the Teams environment.

You might also be interested in:

How do I get MS Project in Office 365?

Is Planner included in Office 365?

What is the difference between Office 365 Planner and Project?

Does Office 365 include a project plan?

Posted on September 3, 2024 by Nicole

Yes, Office 365, now known as Microsoft 365, includes project management capabilities through the new Planner app, but there are some details to consider regarding the inclusion of advanced project management features.

The New Planner App

Microsoft 365 has introduced the new Planner app, which consolidates features from Microsoft Project, Planner, and To Do into a single, unified tool. This means that basic project planning and task management features are included with most Microsoft 365 subscriptions. However, to access the full suite of advanced Microsoft Project features within this app, you may need to upgrade your subscription.

Basic and Advanced Features

Basic Planner Features: These are available with most Microsoft 365 subscriptions and include core project management functionalities like task assignments, visual Kanban boards, and integration with Microsoft Teams for easy collaboration.

Advanced Project Features: To access advanced project management tools such as Gantt charts, detailed scheduling, and resource management (formerly exclusive to Microsoft Project), you need to upgrade to Project Plan 3 or Plan 5. These plans unlock the comprehensive project management capabilities within the new Planner app.

Integration with Microsoft Teams

One of the significant advantages of the new Planner is its seamless integration with Microsoft Teams. You can manage all your project tasks, collaborate with your team, and track project progress directly within the Teams interface, streamlining your project management experience.

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Is Planner included in Office 365?

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