We all know it: Microsoft 365 is constantly being expanded, and updates appear more frequently than our visits to the favorite barista. Many organizations and IT administrators are not always enthusiastic about this. However, some updates are essential and indispensable as they enhance our daily security.
In addition to security-relevant updates for Microsoft 365, there are also regular feature expansions that developers call feature updates. One of these updates was the introduction of Copilot in Viva Goals earlier this year.
Viva Goals – An Overview
For those who are not yet familiar with Viva Goals: Viva Goals is the OKR management system (Objectives and Key Results) within Microsoft 365, specifically in the Microsoft Viva Suite. OKRs are a framework for goal setting and performance evaluation that helps companies define ambitious goals and track measurable results to systematically monitor progress. This model promotes alignment and focus throughout the organization by combining clearly defined, inspiring goals with specific, quantifiable key results. Viva Goals offers seamless integration into existing workflows and tools like Microsoft Teams. By automating updates and providing real-time dashboards, Viva Goals enables continuous progress tracking, allowing managers and teams to quickly respond to changes. The close integration with the Microsoft 365 environment facilitates the implementation of OKRs into daily workflows, increasing employee acceptance and engagement.
Earlier this year, Viva Goals was expanded to include Copilot, which is automatically made available to end users through Viva Suite licensing. Copilot in Viva Goals is a daily assistant for users, supporting tasks such as:
- Gaining an overview of all OKRs,
- Uncovering and analyzing overdue OKRs,
- Creating or expanding OKRs with content.
Despite these helpful functions, Copilot in Viva Goals is not yet as mature as we would like it to be. However, I often observe that organizations are not yet ready for Copilot or still have certain reservations – understandably.
Opinions on this vary. From my perspective, Copilot supports me in my daily work and occasionally gives me a few minutes for an #Espresso. This does not mean that I work less, but that Copilot merely assists me in my work, no more and no less.
However, I can also understand organizations that are currently more reserved and have other processes or topics in focus. This brings me directly to my topic: Microsoft has created a function that allows Copilot in Viva Goals to no longer be available to all users. A Viva Goals administrator or the global administrator of a Microsoft 365 tenant can restrict access to Copilot in Viva Goals.
