Tuesday Brief: Microsoft's transition from Project for the web to Planner Premium has left many PMOs struggling with reporting capabilities. While native features continue to evolve, advanced Power BI templates can bridge the gap for organizations needing comprehensive analytics today. Tomorrow's live Q&A with Microsoft MVP Erik van Hurck offers the perfect opportunity to get expert guidance on choosing the right reporting strategy for your specific needs.
September 2, 2025
In This Issue:
Featured Article: Leveraging Legacy Power BI Templates for New Microsoft Planner Premium Plans
Video Tutorial: Microsoft Planner Resource Assignments in Power BI
Forum Spotlight: Submit Your Questions for Erik van Hurck's Live Q&A Tomorrow!
Live Event (9/3): Q&A with Microsoft MVP Erik van Hurck - Microsoft Planner, Tools & What's Next
PM Best Practice: Set Realistic Reporting Expectations During Tool Transitions
Featured Article: Leveraging Legacy Power BI Templates for New Microsoft Planner Premium Plans
With Microsoft's transition from Project for the web to Planner Premium, many PMOs are wrestling with a key question: How do I maintain advanced reporting capabilities while adapting to the new platform?
When this Power BI template approach is worth your time:
You need detailed, custom reporting on your projects (portfolio views, resource workload, overdue tasks) that go beyond what's built into Planner Premium today
Your organization already uses Power BI and you want to leverage Microsoft's free, pre-built template rather than starting from scratch
You want to tailor reports to your own KPIs and dashboards, which Planner's built-in features can't do as flexibly
This comprehensive guide walks you through deploying Microsoft's free Power BI template that covers portfolio reporting, resource allocation analysis, and detailed task tracking. The template includes 9 pre-built report types, from executive dashboards to individual timeline views.
Have questions about implementing these templates or choosing between Power BI and Planner Premium's native features? Submit them for tomorrow's live Q&A with Microsoft MVP Erik van Hurck! He can provide expert guidance on the best reporting approach for your specific situation. Register here.
Video Tutorial: Microsoft Planner Resource Assignments in Power BI
Want to see this in action? Erik van Hurck walks through building a unified resource report that combines data from both Planner and Planner Premium. This 16-minute tutorial shows the complete process, from data extraction to final dashboard creation.
Forum Spotlight: Ask Erik van Hurck Your Microsoft Project Management Questions!
Tomorrow's live Q&A is completely driven by YOUR questions. Can't attend live? Submit your questions in advance and we'll bring them to the session for you.
Have questions about the Planner Premium transition, AI features, Power BI reporting, or Microsoft 365 integrations? This is your chance to get expert guidance from a Microsoft MVP with 15+ years of consulting experience.
Live Event (9/3): Q&A with Microsoft MVP Erik van Hurck
Join us tomorrow for an interactive Q&A session where YOUR questions drive the conversation. As a Senior PPM Consultant at Projectum and Microsoft MVP, Erik van Hurck brings unparalleled expertise in Microsoft's project management tools and 15+ years of helping organizations succeed with implementation strategies.
What You'll Gain:
Expert insights on Microsoft project management tools from a recognized MVP
Real-world implementation strategies based on enterprise consulting experience
Personalized guidance tailored to your specific organizational challenges
Current best practices for Planner Premium and Microsoft 365 integrations
Practical troubleshooting advice for common adoption challenges
🗓️ Wednesday, September 3 🕛 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT 📍 Live on Zoom 🏅 1 PMI PDU: Ways of Working
This member-exclusive session gives you direct access to one of Microsoft's most knowledgeable project management experts. Come prepared with your implementation questions, migration challenges, or any project management topic where Erik's expertise can help.
MPUG host live events with leading experts on Wednesdays from 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET! MPUG members get access to live events where you get direct access to industry leaders, actionable insights, hands-on training, and opportunities to earn PDU's.
Learn more and register for upcoming events:
9/3: Q&A with Erik van Hurck: Microsoft Planner, Project Management Tools, and What’s Next | Learn More / Register Here
9/17: Crashing the CPM Schedule in MS Project: Back to Basics Ways of Working | Learn More / Register Here
PM Best Practice: Set Realistic Reporting Expectations During Tool Transitions
During any major tool transition, like moving from Project for the web to Planner Premium, resist the urge to replicate every existing report immediately. Instead, focus on your three most critical metrics first, get those working reliably, then gradually expand your reporting capabilities. This approach reduces transition stress while ensuring your team maintains visibility into what matters most. Your stakeholders will appreciate consistent, reliable data over comprehensive but fragmented reporting during the changeover period.
