Description

(00:00:00) The Problem with Microsoft Planner

(00:00:16) Introducing Copilot Studio

(00:01:56) The Power of Orchestration

(00:04:04) Building Your Planner Agent

(00:08:08) Adding Tools and Functionality

(00:13:50) Deploying to Microsoft 365 Copilot

(00:18:08) Strategy and Limitations

(00:23:08) The Future of Automation



🔍 Key Topics Covered 1) Understanding the Planner–Copilot Connection

• Planner = structure and boards; you shouldn’t be the workflow engine.
• Copilot Studio adds reasoning + orchestration (intent → right tool).
• Power Automate is still your backend conveyor belt for triggers/rules.
• Together: Copilot interprets, Automate executes, Planner stays tidy.

2) Building the Agent in Copilot Studio

• Create a new agent (e.g., “Task Planner”).
• Write tight Instructions: scope = create/list/update Planner tasks; answer concisely; don’t speculate.
• Wire identity & connections with the right M365 account (owns the target plan).
• Remember: Instructions = logic/behavior, Tools = capability.

3) Adding Planner Tools: Create, List, Update

• Create a task: lock Group ID/Plan ID as custom values; keep Title dynamic.
  • Tool description tip: “Create one or more tasks from user intent; summarize long titles; don’t ask for titles if implied.”
• List tasks: same Group/Plan; description: “Retrieve tasks for reasoning and response.”
• Update a task: dynamic Task ID, Due date accepts natural language (“tomorrow”, “next Friday”).
  • Description: “Change due dates/details of an existing task using natural language dates.”
• Test flows: “List my open tasks,” “Create two tasks…,” “Set design review due Friday.”

4) Deploying to Microsoft 365 Copilot

• Publish → Channels → Microsoft 365/Teams; approve permissions.
• Use in Teams or M365 Copilot: “Create three tasks for next week’s sprint,” “Mark backlog review due next Wednesday.”
• Chain reasoning: “List pending tasks, then set all to Friday.”
• First-run connector approvals may re-prompt; approve once.

5) Automation Strategy & Limitations

• Right tool, right layer: deterministic triggers → Power Automate; interpretive requests → Copilot.
• Improve reliability with good tool descriptions (they act like prompts).
• Governance: DLP, RBAC, owner accounts, audit of connections; monitor failures/latency.
• Context window limits—keep commands concise.
• Licensing/tenant differences can affect grounding/features.
• Document Group/Plan IDs, connector owners, last publish date.

🧠 Key Takeaways

• Stop dragging cards—speak tasks into existence.
• Copilot Studio reasons; Planner stores; Power Automate runs rules.
• Lock Group/Plan IDs; keep titles/dates dynamic; write clear tool descriptions.
• Publish to Microsoft 365 Copilot so commands run where you work.
• Govern from day one: least privilege, logging, DLP, change control.

✅ Implementation Checklist (Copy/Paste)

• Create Copilot Studio agent “Task Planner” with clear scope & tone.
• Connect Planner with the account that owns the target Group/Plan.
• Add tools: Create task, List tasks, Update task.
• Set Group ID/Plan ID as custom fixed values; keep Title/Due Date dynamic.
• Write strong tool descriptions (intent cues, natural language dates).
• Test: create → list → update flows; confirm due-date parsing.
• Publish to Microsoft 365/Teams; approve connector permissions.
• Monitor analytics; document IDs/owners; enforce DLP/RBAC.
• Train users to issue short, clear commands (one intent at a time).
• Iterate descriptions as you spot misfires.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe If this cut ten clicks from your day, follow the show and turn on notifications. Next up: blending Copilot Studio + Power Automate for meeting-to-tasks pipelines that auto-assign and schedule sprints—no dragging required.

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If this clashes with how you’ve seen it play out, I’m always curious. I use LinkedIn for the back-and-forth.