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CDMartindale's avatar
CDMartindale
Copper Contributor
Aug 23, 2019

MS Teams Tasks Link to MS Project Tasks - Any way that these can be linked/exported/added

MS teams is great to add tasks, create groups and projects and the like.

 

What is the likelihood that you can integrate MS Project tasks with MS teams tasks in the future?

 

I know I can save the MS Project File into a Folder in MS Teams but to link the MS Team Tasks and MS Project Tasks would be brilliant!

 

Has anyone else asked for this or in favour of this?

  • tsquare74's avatar
    tsquare74
    Copper Contributor

    CDMartindale 

     

    Hi folks,  Here is a bit more detail on how I would like the system to work.  As a program manager, I have two schedule responsibilities: 1) provide status and future plans to administrative machinery and management via an MS Project IMS.  This has to be maintained in a strict format in order for automated processes to function effectively.  This format is rigid and is not suitable for other uses;  2) oversee and control the execution of the plan that the IMS represents.  This involves interaction with many team members, few of whom have access to MS Project or have the understanding of the program that would make this an effective communication tool.  There is a frequent need to add minor tasks that are not suitable for inclusion in the IMS (which is baselined and controlled) to make sure they are getting done.  The problem is how to serve both needs.

     

    I am currently working from the IMS to do status updates.  This has the distinct advantage of having all the information in one file.  Otherwise it is difficult to keep two separate schedules/ plans in sync.  I have tried exporting IMS activities into excel for distribution to the team and updating status and it drives a lot of extra clerical work to make sure they are in sync.  Nevertheless, I have to do a lot of formatting work to make the administrative Project file format even semi-digestible for my team and then have to change it back again to allow monthly submissions.

     

    The teams task interface seems like it could be a good format for team communications and statusing.  I am looking for tools to help with the synchronization problem.  Is there anything that would allow the buildup of a draft Project file starting from a list of teams tasks?  Is there an export function which would allow the creation of a Teams Task file starting from a project file?  Is there anything which would update a project file based on updates to a teams task file (assuming the tasks listed were the same)?  Is there anything which would allow the recording and display of predecessor-successor relationships in the Teams Task files?

     

    Thanks,

     

    Tom

  • CDMartindale Could you please tell us what you are trying to achieve? We have few teams app like Microsoft Planner and others too are in development for maintaining Microsoft Projects inside Microsoft Teams.

    • CDMartindale's avatar
      CDMartindale
      Copper Contributor

      Hi Trinetra-MSFT,

       

      Thats exactly what im chasing, if i have a MS Project document. I would likle to be able to "publish" certain tasks in MS teams to people as they come up.

       

      Will the Microsoft Planner be able to link tasks in MS Project to tasks in MS teams - i.e. If you compete a linked task in teams - it will complete that task in MS Project?

    • Larsinator's avatar
      Larsinator
      Copper Contributor

      Trinetra-MSFT 

      Hi, this is of some importance. 

       

      Currently as a PM I would have all my deliverables and tasks in a MS project/Project cloud instance for overall tracking. All good works fine. 

       

      And om a daily/weekly basis there will be "more information" required and tracked, finer level of detail, usually Issues/Actions/Defects and sometimes Decisions. The "items" really should/can be tracked against your project schedule/plan in MS project. As if you have an action or issue that is not related to your WBS in Project it is probably out of scope. 

       

      Being able to have a table/store in MS Teams that also links to the MS Project files would be invaluable. It means that as a PM I can track my issues/actions/defects/risks and decisions against my WBS in MS Project while also assigning it to team members in MS Teams. 

       

      A both way integration would work best. I.e. if I am in a MS Teams "actions" view I can click on something to open the Project Cloud instance to see the project task. In Project Cloud I would like to have a way in the info section of the Project task to be able to see if there are activities/issues/defects and decisions open for that project task and if so click and get into teams to see them all. 

       

      This requires that the Action table/store in MS teams have at least a status of Open and Closed. 

      I would also recommend the following attributes:

      - Title (short description 100 char)

      - Description (long text/memo)

      - Date raised

      - Type (Action/Issue/Defect/Decision/Risk and unlimited user defined types if possible)

      - Raised by (MS team person)

      - State Open/Closed

      - Assigned to (MS team person)

      - Project task link (link to Project cloud line item)

      - Priority - low/medium/high/critical

      - Close date

      - Closed by

      - Close reason (long text/memo field)

      - Notes (by date) i.e. unlimited independent notes to a action/issue/defect/risk/decision. Only person raised it can edit.

         - Note Date raised

         - Note Raised by (MS team person)

         - Note Description (long text/memo field)

       

      NOTE! the items must be able to link to all lines in a project independent if they are task groupings or individual tasks. 

       

      I do know that ADO tracks defects but everybody does not use ADO. 

       

      Thanks

       

       

       

       

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