Introduction: How to Use Microsoft Planner With Program Review Goals

Instructors of full-time programs at SouthernTech participated in a Program Review meeting this semester where a SWOT analysis of their program was conducted. Program goals were composed based on that SWOT analysis. There was a need to place the goals in a central location that all involved in completing those goals could view, manage, and collaborate. All SouthernTech staff have access to Microsoft Office 365. The Office 365 application, Microsoft Planner, was chosen to aid in management, collaboration, and systematic evaluation of goals.

Many of the instructors verbalized that they are not familiar with using Planner in Office 365 and requested training. This set of step-by-step instructions was created to help the instructors create a Program Review Plan in Planner.


Supplies

  • Computer
  • Reliable WiFi
  • Notebook and writing utensils

Step 1: Locate Program Review Goals

  1. Locate and save Program Review SWOT Analysis with Program Goals
  2. Log on to SouthernTech Office 365
  3. Navigate to the Assistant Superintendent's SharePoint Site
  4. Retrieve program review goals from the folder labeled "Program Review"
  5. Save the file to your One Drive


Step 2: Location of Planner in Office 365

  1. Navigate to Microsoft Office 365 Planner Application

Step 3: Choose "+ New Plan" Planner Dashboard

Click on "+ New Plan"

Step 4: Title of New Plan

  1. Use the Program Name and "Program Review Goals"

Step 5: Add Team to the Plan

  1. Add to Group: -" + choose a group for your plan"
  2. This example will add the "Practical Nursing Team"
  3. Click "create plan" (green bar)

Step 6: Pin the Plan to the Planner Hub

The Plan will be displayed under the "Recent" section. "Pin" the plan by clicking on the pushpin icon next to the dots on the upper right side of the plan. See the example of a pinned plan above. This will allow you to easily view the plan and see the progress of the plan at a glance.

Step 7: Adding Buckets to Plan

  1. Add Program Review Goals to the "buckets" (See the highlighted areas in the picture above.

Step 8: Assigning Tasks to Each Goal

  1. Click on "+ Add Task" (bar just under each bucket) to add a "task" (action item) for each goal.
  2. you may add as many tasks under each bucket that are anticipated to achieve the goal
  3. Type in the task name
  4. Add the date of anticipated completion
  5. Assign to one or more of the Team


Step 9:

Ensure all goals have at least one task assigned to one or more teammates.

Step 10:

Review Plan from the "Planner Hub". Note the data reflected on the plan tile. Reviewing the progress of the plan is easy to see at a glance.

Step 11: How to Document Completion of Tasks

  1. To mark the tasks complete, you will click on the radio button on the top left-hand side of the task tile.
  2. Review the completed plan from the Planner Hub view.

Step 12: Completion of Your First Plan in Microsoft Planner

Share your Program Review Plan with the facilitator of this course by adding them to the group you added upon creation of the course. Send a CANVAS message to the facilitator alerting them you have completed the course and are ready for them to review.