Microsoft Viva Goals: A Game-Changer for Our IT Architecture Team

As the head of an IT architecture team within an MSP, I’m always on the lookout for tools that can streamline our goal setting and tracking processes.

Over the years, we’ve tried everything from simple Excel spreadsheets to more advanced tools like Microsoft Project, Planner, and Azure DevOps. While each of these tools met some of our needs, none of them felt like the perfect fit—there was always something missing. Recently, however, we stumbled upon Viva Goals and quickly realised its potential to revolutionise our approach to goal management, especially as we transition to OKRs in time for FY25 planning.

Discovering Viva Goals

Our journey with Viva Goals began when one of our team members came across an article about the Viva suite and its diverse capabilities. Intrigued by its simplicity and effectiveness, we decided to give Viva Goals a try, hoping it would address some of the challenges we faced with our previous tools.

Our comparison table for adoption:

Benefits of Viva Goals for Our Team

1. Centralised Goal Management: Viva Goals provided us with a single platform to manage all our team’s goals. This centralisation ensured that everyone was aligned and aware of our objectives, a feature that had been lacking in other tools we tried.
2. Enhanced Collaboration: The platform’s collaborative features allowed us to discuss, update, and track goals collectively. Previously, when using tools like Excel, collaboration was cumbersome and inefficient. Viva Goals transformed how we work together, making the process far more seamless.
3. Transparent Progress Tracking: One of the standout features of Viva Goals is its real-time progress tracking. This visibility enabled us to identify areas where we needed to accelerate or adjust our efforts. The integration with Microsoft products like Outlook, Teams, and Planner further enhanced this experience, making it superior to other tools like Azure DevOps or Project, which often lack comprehensive integration or aren’t completely fit for our purpose.
4. Seamless Integration with Microsoft Tools: As an organisation deeply embedded in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, integrating Viva Goals into our workflow was effortless. The platform offers various ways for users to check in and update their goals, making it an ideal choice for our team.

Driving of Company-Wide Adoption

The positive impact of Viva Goals on our team was undeniable, and it wasn’t long before we began advocating for its adoption across the entire company. Our enthusiasm, coupled with our success stories, quickly caught the attention of our CEO. She was drawn to the platform’s potential to align our organisation around a shared vision, especially as we prepare to implement OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) for the upcoming fiscal year. This led to a series of training sessions and meetings designed to introduce other departments to the advantages of Viva Goals.

FY25 Strategy: Viva Goals and OKRs for All

Thanks to our advocacy, our CEO announced that Viva Goals would be deployed company-wide for FY25. This strategic decision comes at the perfect time, as it not only signals our commitment to a goal-oriented culture but also aligns with our move towards implementing OKRs. By adopting Viva Goals, we’re ensuring that our entire organisation is aligned and focused on achieving key outcomes, which will drive improved performance across all departments.

Could Viva Goals Help Your Company?

As an MSP, we don’t just use Viva Goals; we also offer it to our customers. Our team is here to help you adopt and implement Viva Goals, guiding you through the process from start to finish. Whether you’re looking to improve goal management within a single team or across your entire organisation, especially in the context of transitioning to OKRs, we’re ready to assist.

Conclusion

Viva Goals has proven to be an invaluable tool for our IT architecture team. By adopting this platform, we’ve streamlined our goal-setting process, enhanced collaboration, and significantly improved our overall productivity. Our success even inspired our CEO to roll out Viva Goals company-wide, just in time for FY25 and our move to OKRs, setting the stage for a more aligned and goal-driven organisation.

It Doesn’t Just End There

Microsoft Viva offers a suite of products designed to enhance various aspects of employee experience and productivity:

1. Viva Connections: Connects employees with tools, news, and resources through a customizable app in Microsoft Teams. It creates a personalised dashboard tailored to individual roles and interests.
2. Viva Insights: Provides data-driven insights and recommendations to improve employee productivity and well-being. It includes features like personal productivity insights, manager insights, and advanced analytics.
3. Viva Learning: Integrates learning into the flow of work by connecting content from various sources, including LinkedIn Learning, Microsoft Learn, and your organisation’s own content. It helps employees discover, share, and track learning activities.
4. Viva Engage: Brings people together across the organisation to connect with leaders, coworkers, and communities. It fosters engagement through social networking features within Microsoft Teams.
5. Viva Amplify: Centralises campaign management, publishing, and reporting to reach and engage employees across multiple channels like Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint.
6. Viva Pulse: Empowers leaders and managers to seek and act on feedback when it matters, helping to improve employee engagement and satisfaction.
7. Viva Glint: A “voice of the employee” solution that helps organisations understand and improve employee engagement to drive business outcomes.