Task Management Reviews: Office Planner
The Good: Everyone can see who is working on what at all times, and at all steps of the project. Office Planner’s dashboard can be organized into multiple sections: “not yet started”, “in process”, “completed,” and so on. You can drag and file tasks allowing for a clearer “to-do” list. You can also attach files around tasks for easier conversations on your assignments. And because we know nothing good can come for free, another great aspect is that the monthly cost for Office 365—which powers all of Microsoft’s applications (Word, Excel, Planner, Outlook, etc.) won’t break your bank! Choose from plans ranging from $5 to $12.50 per month.
The Bad: As of this writing, there is a lack of integration between the PC and mobile versions of Office Planner, forcing users to rely on their PCs to update tasks status—less than ideal for those who rely on mobile devices to work and update their “to-do” lists. Also, you cannot create a reoccurring task. In addition, as of now, it does not allow for external collaboration (those outside of your organization’s network or dedicated license holders).
The Ugly: Because of their lack of mobile integration, Office Planner could find themselves in a pickle when trying to compete with similar platforms. If Office Planner doesn’t upgrade soon to keep up with the competition, you may find yourself re-submitting or re-creating a whole new “to-do” list in a different platform.