Microsoft Planner Training Course Beginners

Introduction to Microsoft Planner

• Understand what Microsoft Planner is and when organisations use it to manage tasks and projects
• Explore how Planner fits within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem and why it improves collaboration
• Identify common workplace scenarios where Planner can replace spreadsheets, emails and paper-based task lists
• Navigate the Planner interface and understand the different views available

Creating and Managing Plans

• Create a new plan and understand when separate plans should be used for different projects or teams
• Choose plan settings and understand who can access and manage a plan
• Organise plans to improve visibility and reduce confusion for team members
• Understand the relationship between Planner, Microsoft 365 Groups and Teams

Creating and Organising Tasks

• Create tasks and understand when tasks should be used to track work activities
• Add task descriptions, checklists and attachments to provide additional context
• Set start dates and due dates to help teams manage deadlines effectively
• Use recurring tasks where appropriate to support ongoing business activities
• Update task status and monitor progress throughout a project

Using Buckets and Labels

• Create buckets to organise tasks by project stage, department or workflow
• Use labels to categorise tasks and improve filtering and reporting
• Understand when buckets and labels should be used together for maximum clarity
• Apply organisational techniques that make plans easier to manage as they grow

Assigning and Managing Workloads

• Assign tasks to individuals and understand how ownership improves accountability
• Monitor workloads across team members to identify potential bottlenecks
• Track task progress and understand how updates are reflected throughout the plan
• Use comments and collaboration features to keep task-related communication together

Planner Views and Reporting

• Use Board View to manage tasks visually and understand project progress
• Use Charts View to monitor completion rates and team workloads
• Use filters to focus on specific tasks, team members or priorities
• Identify overdue tasks and understand when intervention may be required
• Use Planner reporting features to support team meetings and project reviews

Working with Microsoft Teams

• Add Planner to a Microsoft Teams channel and understand when integrated planning is beneficial
• Access plans directly from Teams to reduce application switching
• Collaborate on tasks within a team environment and keep conversations connected to work
• Understand how Teams and Planner work together to improve project visibility

Planner with Outlook and Microsoft 365

• Understand how Planner notifications work and when alerts are sent
• View assigned tasks and understand personal task management options
• Explore integration with Outlook and other Microsoft 365 applications
• Understand how Planner contributes to a connected digital workplace

Best Practices for Workplace Task Management

• Design plans that remain easy to manage as projects grow
• Avoid common mistakes that make plans difficult to maintain
• Create a consistent approach to task management across teams
• Apply practical tips to improve accountability, visibility and productivity