Hiding in plain sight is an app that could transform the way you work – and if you have a Microsoft 365 Subscription, it’s included!
It’s an app that makes it easier to:
- manage projects
- plan
- collaborate with colleagues
- generate ideas
- provide feedback
It integrates with other M365 apps like Teams and Word, automatically syncing across documents and devices.
The app is Microsoft Loop and it could be beneficial in almost every area of your business. Here’s a short video overview and then below, a few examples and an overview of how Loop could be used to manage a project.
Loop Examples
- Meetings – collaboratively create and update meeting agendas and notes in real time. Share components so that everyone can contribute and follow.
- Idea Capture – create a Loop workspace with sections for ideas, research and feedback. Everyone can contribute asynchronously, enabling remote staff to contribute.
- Customer Follow-ups – use Loop to create a checklist of client follow-ups after meetings or sales calls. Embed the checklist in Outlook or Teams so everyone stays aligned.
- Employee Induction – create a Loop workspace with tasks, company policies and training materials. HR and new hires can collaborate and track progress all in one place.
Managing a Project with Loop
Imagine you have decided to redesign and launch a new version of your website. A small team will oversee the project. The team includes a project manager, a designer, a content writer, and a developer. Here’s how you can use Microsoft Loop to manage this project from start to finish:
1 – Create a Loop Workspace
- The project manager creates a new Loop workspace called “Website Redesign Project.”
- All relevant team members are added to the workspace.
- The workspace includes pages for Planning, Design, Content, Development, Testing, and Launch.
2 – Use Loop Components to Organize Work
On the Planning page:
- Add a task list (Loop component) with phases of the project: Research, Design, Content Creation, Development, Testing, Launch.
- Assign team members and due dates for each task.
On the Design page:
- Insert a table component to track design mockups, status, and feedback.
- Add a checklist for design review steps.
On the Content page:
- Collaboratively write and edit website content in real time.
- Use a status tracker component to indicate which sections are complete, in review, or pending.
On the Development page:
- Track development tasks, bugs, and implementation notes.
- Link to GitHub or other dev tools as needed.
On the Testing page:
- Create a bug report table with columns for issue, severity, status, and owner.
On the Launch page:
- Add a countdown timer, checklist for launch steps, and contact list for stakeholders.
3 – Integrate with Microsoft 365 Apps
- Insert Loop components into Microsoft Teams chats or meetings so team members can see and edit tasks without switching apps.
- Share a progress report component in Outlook for weekly updates to leadership.
4 – Real-Time Collaboration and Updates
- Team members can make updates in real time during sync-ups or asynchronously.
- All changes are instantly reflected across the workspace and any shared documents or messages.
5 – Monitor Progress and Adjust
- The project manager monitors the task list and status trackers.
- Adjust timelines, reassign tasks, or add notes and comments directly in Loop.
Benefits
Everyone stays aligned through a single, live workspace. Tasks, content, and updates are centralized and always up to date, reducing the need for long email chains or scattered documents.
This approach helps small teams stay organized, communicate clearly, and move quickly – ideal for agile and collaborative projects like a website launch.