One of the most eagerly anticipated updates in task management has arrived: the Board view is now integrated into My Tasks and My Day within Microsoft Planner. This enhancement transforms how users interact with their daily and project-related tasks by offering a visually engaging and highly organized interface. By shifting from a traditional list format to a dynamic board layout, Planner empowers both individual users and administrators to streamline workflows, prioritize effectively, and boost overall productivity.
Understanding Board View: A Visual Revolution in Task Management
Board view reimagines task organization by presenting tasks as cards arranged under customizable columns on a board. Unlike the conventional Grid view, which lists tasks linearly, Board view offers a snapshot of your workflow, making it easier to track progress and manage priorities at a glance.
For users, this means a more intuitive way to handle private tasks, flagged emails from Outlook, and assignments across various plans—all consolidated in one place. The visual grouping helps users focus on what truly matters, whether that’s tackling high-priority items or balancing workload to prevent burnout.
From an administrative perspective, Board view enhances oversight and task allocation. Admins can better understand how tasks flow through different stages, identify bottlenecks, and support team members in managing their responsibilities more effectively.
Seamless Access: Where to Find Board View
Switching between Grid and Board views is effortless. Located prominently in the header of both My Tasks and My Day, the toggle allows users to choose the layout that best suits their working style. This flexibility ensures that users can adapt their task management approach depending on the context—whether they need a detailed list or a broad overview.
Mastering Board View: How to Use It Effectively
Board view’s true power lies in its customizable grouping options. Users can organize tasks by:
- Plan: Group tasks by their associated plans, including private tasks and flagged emails, providing clarity on where efforts are concentrated.
- Progress: Categorize tasks as Not Started, In Progress, or Completed. Users can drag and drop cards between columns to update task status instantly, fostering a hands-on approach to workflow management.
- Due Date: Sort tasks by urgency—Late, Today, Tomorrow, This Week, Next Week, Future, or No Date. Moving tasks between columns adjusts their due dates, except for premium plan tasks, which have some restrictions.
- Priority: Organize tasks by urgency levels such as Urgent, Important, Medium, and Low. This visual prioritization helps users focus on what demands immediate attention. Note that priority changes for premium plan tasks are limited, and private tasks cannot be marked as Urgent.
For administrators, these grouping options provide valuable insights into team workload distribution and task progression, enabling more informed decision-making and resource allocation.
Practical Tips to Maximize Board View
- Group by Priority in My Tasks: This helps users zero in on their most critical tasks. Simply drag tasks between columns to adjust their priority, streamlining daily focus. Admins can monitor priority shifts to ensure alignment with project goals.
- Group by Due Date in My Tasks: Quickly identify urgent deadlines and reschedule tasks by moving them across due date columns. This flexibility supports dynamic planning and helps prevent overdue work.
- Group by Plan in My Day: Concentrate on one project or plan at a time, reducing cognitive overload and enhancing task completion rates.
- Group by Progress in My Day: Limit workload by visually tracking task stages. Moving tasks between Not Started, In Progress, and Completed columns encourages steady progress and accountability.
Why Board View Matters: Impact on Users and Admins
For users, Board view offers a refreshing way to engage with their tasks. The visual layout reduces the mental clutter often associated with long lists, making it easier to prioritize and manage time effectively. The drag-and-drop functionality adds an element of control and immediacy, which can enhance motivation and satisfaction.
Administrators benefit from improved visibility into task statuses and team dynamics. The ability to see tasks grouped by progress or priority helps identify potential delays or resource imbalances early. This proactive insight supports better planning, coaching, and overall project success.
Getting Started: Try Board View Today
Board view is readily available in the Planner app within Microsoft Teams and on the Planner web platform. Whether you’re managing personal projects or collaborating with a team, this feature is designed to make your task management more visual, flexible, and effective.
We encourage you to explore Board view and share your experiences. Feedback can be submitted through the Planner Feedback Portal or directly within the Planner app by selecting More (the question mark icon) in the upper right corner, then Feedback. Your insights help shape future improvements.
Additional Resources for Planner Users
- Discover more about adopting Planner in your organization on the Planner adoption page.
- Stay updated by signing up for the Planner newsletter, delivering the latest features and tips directly to your inbox.
- Explore upcoming Planner features and timelines on the Microsoft 365 roadmap.
- Gain inspiration from practical demonstrations by watching the Planner demo videos.
- Catch up on the latest updates and community Q&A by viewing the recording of the What’s New and What’s Coming Next + AMA session.
- For detailed guidance, visit the Planner help page.
Source: Microsoft
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