Project Management

SharePoint Add-Ins to be Retired in M365 

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SharePoint Add-Ins

In Microsoft’s effort to provide modern, evolved digital solutions, they will be retiring SharePoint Add-Ins and pushing SharePoint Extensibility Models instead – such as SharePoint Framework.   SharePoint Add-Ins will stop working for new tenants in November 2024 and will be fully eliminated in early 2026. You will no longer be able to update, purchase, or acquire SharePoint Add-Ins.  How Does the SharePoint Add-In Retirement Affect Me?  Many people are unaware of this new change, and it will greatly impact those who have used SharePoint Add-Ins or made custom Add-Ins in the past. If you made a purchase from the Microsoft Store or downloaded a free application, they will stop working.   … Read more

Increasing Productivity with Microsoft PowerToys  

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PowerToys

Microsoft PowerToys is an application aimed to increase productivity by providing the user with a set of tools and offerings.   Originally introduced in the 1990s and resurrected for Windows 10, PowerToys are a collection of free, open-source utilities designed to enhance your Windows experience. Whether you’re a power user or simply looking to streamline your workflow, PowerToys offers a suite of tools that can make your computer usage more efficient and enjoyable.   There have been a few new tools and updates showcased in the Microsoft Build 2024 conference. Here is a list of the most notable features with PowerToys so far:  PowerToys – Mouse Without Borders  If you use multiple … Read more

How the Bushcraft Rule of Threes Helps Me Think about Project Management 

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Project Management

Using survival skills can help with project management. Yes, you read that right.   What is the Bushcraft Rule of Threes?  The bushcraft rule of threes is a simple guideline that helps campers and survivalists to prioritize their needs in a wilderness situation. It states that you can survive:  The rule of threes helps you prioritize what will cause you to fail fastest first. When you follow the rules, it prevents you from wasting time and energy on less urgent matters. For example, if you are in a cold and wet environment, finding or building a shelter to keep you warm and dry is more important than looking for food … Read more

Agile Project Management in Consulting

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One of the key benefits of agile project management is that it allows for a more iterative and incremental approach to software development giving a faster Return on Investment (ROI) for the customer. Rather than trying to plan out every aspect of a project in advance, agile teams focus on delivering small, usable features of software on a regular basis. This allows the development team to be more responsive to changes in the project’s requirements or priorities, and to get feedback from users more quickly.

Work confidently with powerful project management tools

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Project manager updating tasks and milestones progress planning with Gantt chart scheduling interface on a virtual screen, business background

In the software consulting world, traditional project management tools like Microsoft Project and Project Management Systems have limitations in managing agile software projects with remote and dispersed teams. At Imaginet, a Microsoft Gold Partner, they have revamped their project delivery process using Microsoft 365, PowerAutomate, and Planner to exceed their clients’ expectations and provide consistency in their delivery.

The Project Setup workflow process starts when a signed Statement of Work is received, and a request form is filled out. This workflow creates a Teams Channel for collaboration, communication, and document storage on SharePoint. The process also assigns resources, provides access to the SOW, and sets up a simplified Software Development Life Cycle using consistent folders for client-received requirements documents and Imaginet developed deliverables, as well as a project management collaboration folder for SOWs, Change Requests, Schedules, Status Reports, Budget Trackers, and Project Close-Out Report.

This consistency in the project delivery process provides transparency and accountability for each team member, affording the principles of Agile Methodology. It also supports the PMO and Project teams, ensuring continued service to clients even if the Project Manager goes out of the office. With Microsoft Planner, tasks are planned out and assigned, and resources are accountable for monitoring and updating their progress. Clients also have real-time visibility on the project progress through a weblink.

This process saves time and effort by eliminating long emails and document searches, allowing team members to focus on elevating the consulting experience with clients. The Microsoft 365 ecosystem allows for efficient communication, collaboration, and tracking of projects, and supports continuous improvement of their delivery process. With Microsoft 365, Imaginet has found a game-changer in delivering successful software projects with remote teams.