Hi
@Maggie Weems! To continue on
@Doug Cantrell 's answer, Planner is also my go-to app beyond the Microsoft suite. As you can see by the screenshot from Teams below, the Planner app has many views including this Kanban board. You can create different "buckets" for major subtasks such as Preparation and QA/QC, and then within buckets you can create tasks!
Below is a screenshot of a task where you can assign the task to someone on your team (or like in this case assign it to yourself), add a priority, add a due date, and much more!
While not an "app", another neat function that Microsoft Teams launched recently is customized backgrounds! Excellently timed, ASCE has just launched several wallpapers that you can download to use as your custom background for a meeting and show your ASCE pride. The free backgrounds and instructions on how to add them to your Teams and Zoom applications can be viewed here: https://www.asce.org/wallpapers/
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Danielle Schroeder EIT, A.M.ASCE
Associate Engineer
Pennoni Associates
Philadelphia PA
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-19-2020 04:18 PM
From: Doug Cantrell
Subject: Microsoft Teams Workshop
Hi @Maggie Weems,
Thank you @Tirza Austin for answering Maggie's first question.
As for your second question, as it relates to using app in Teams, I can share some of my experiences.
As an engineer, I work with Excel spreadsheets frequently. Rather than have to have 2 separate windows open (1 for Teams and 1 for Excel), I use the Excel app in Teams. This allows me to edit the Excel spreadsheet while still in the Teams window. This sounds relatively minor, but here are 2 reasons why using the Excel app has been an improvement for me:
- First, it allows me to use 1 window. While my office at work has 2 monitors, my office at home only has 1 monitor. Since COVID-19 has forced most people to work from home, this meant a lot switching between open windows from Teams to Excel. This was a hassle for me, as every time I switched from 1 window to another, I had to readjust my train of thought. Having to readjust my thought process multiple times in a day was draining and less productive. Now I use apps for Excel and Word in Teams to minimize switching windows.
- Second, it allows me to collaborate with my team members easily on a document by using the Excel app. Say I am checking a design calculation in an Excel spreadsheet, and I have a question on one of the equations. With the spreadsheet still open, I can Chat with a team member about my question. The team member can simultaneously open the spreadsheet and see the last comment I made on the equation in question. We can quickly discuss my question and make edits to the spreadsheet right then and there, in real time. This helps save a lot of time when reviewing calculations, as I can discuss any issues with the designer, where we can come to a conclusion quickly, and then make the changes, which are saved and updated automatically. This saves a lot of back and forth time with the designer.
Another useful app is the Planner app. This is more suited for assigning and tracking tasks on a day to day basis. This can be a great way to see your tasks, so you can effectively plan your day to meet your deadlines. The Planner app can also be a great tool for managers to keep up to date on their teams progress without having to ask each team member individually. The manager can look at each team members assignments and progress to quickly see how the team is performing.
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Doug Cantrell P.E., M.ASCE
Professional Engineer
Durham NC
Original Message:
Sent: 05-19-2020 12:48 PM
From: Tirza Austin
Subject: Microsoft Teams Workshop
Hi @Maggie Weems,
I encountered question 1 during the set up of the Thursday @ 3 series. You can adjust these settings individually by going to "Meeting Settings" (see screenshot):
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Tirza Austin
Manager, Online Community
American Society of Civil Engineers
1801 Alexander Bell Drive
Reston, VA 20191
Original Message:
Sent: 05-19-2020 11:42 AM
From: Maggie Weems
Subject: Microsoft Teams Workshop
Thanks Tirza! I have two questions
1.) Is there a way to permanently adjust the lobby settings or do you have to do that for every meeting? I don't want people or phone callers having to wait in the lobby.
2.) What apps do you use with Teams? I'm new to apps, so any suggestions on ones that can be beneficial would be appreciated.
Appreciate the time! :)
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Maggie Weems P.E., M.ASCE
Vestavia Hills AL
Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2020 04:46 PM
From: Tirza Austin
Subject: Microsoft Teams Workshop
COVID-19 has drastically impacted our current work environment. Employees have switched to virtual platforms to facilitate meetings and communicate from their homes. <o:p></o:p>
Many of us are still learning new platforms. I would like to introduce @Doug Cantrell and @Danielle Schroeder. They will be sharing their expertise on Microsoft Teams in this thread. Please "Ask Them Anything" in this thread and they will be answering your questions on how to use Teams effectively. <o:p></o:p>
This thread will be open through Friday, May 22. Experts will share their feedback on the thread until Sunday, May 24. Please contact me if you have any questions about participating in the workshop.
Examples of questions include:
- How to be more productive using Teams?
- How to use voice and video for chats and meetings?
- How to use file sharing for collaboration work?
- How to use apps within Teams to track assignments?
- What are common mistakes to avoid?
Reminder: All posts must comply with the ASCE Collaborate Code of Conduct. <o:p></o:p>
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Tirza Austin
Manager, Online Community
American Society of Civil Engineers
1801 Alexander Bell Drive
Reston, VA 20191
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