Overview of how to plan, build, and launch Viva Connections
Use Viva Connections to engage and empower different user groups like frontline workers and information workers across your organization. Integrate Microsoft 365 apps and tools to create experiences that users can use where they are and keep them updated on news, announcements, and provides access to resources from a desktop, mobile, or tablet device.
Note
- You must have an Enterprise (E), Frontline (F), or Academic (A) license type to create a Connections experience.
- Users with a Microsoft 365 subscription (E, F, or A license) are limited to creating and using one experience. If you want to create or use two or more experiences (up to 50), then every user in your tenant must have a Microsoft Viva Suite or Viva Communications and Communities license. See Microsoft Viva plans and pricing for plan information and a comparison table.
- There are no requirements to get started with Viva Connections.
- You must have SharePoint admin permissions to access the Microsoft 365 admin center.
Use Connections to create experiences that engage and empower different user groups like frontline workers and information workers across your organization. Manage your existing Connections experiences in the Connections admin center where you can create an experience with or without an existing SharePoint home site. Here you can also assign permissions, designate targeted audiences, order the view priority of your experiences, set existing SharePoint communication sites as a SharePoint home site (allowing for multiple experiences, each with their own SharePoint home site). Learn more about setting up Connections using the Microsoft 365 admin center.
Note
- Setting a SharePoint home site can be done in the Viva Connections admin center.
- Use this guide to prepare your organization for Viva Connections through the planning, building, and launching phases.
- Review the different roles and activities in each phase.
- Discover planning considerations and best practices.
- Get guidance for change management, adoption, and end-user training.
Step-by-step guidance to provision Viva Connections
There are three options that provide in-depth information about how to get Connections for your organization.
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Quick guide | Get basic instructions on how to set up Connections. |
| Plan, build, and launch guidance | Get detailed guidance that focus on tasks in the plan, build, and launch phases. |
| Learning path | Take the training for even more in-depth guidance that includes fictitious business stories and examples. Complete knowledge checks to confirm learnings. |
Overview of setting up Viva Connections
A Connections experience can be created as a standalone experience, and use an intranet home site to create the experience. A SharePoint home site isn't required to get started. Creating an experience requires minimal setup and includes default cards on the dashboard to help get you started.
Some tasks are optional, or might only apply to customers who plan to use a SharePoint home site to complement the Connections experience.
Overview of activities in each phase
| Phase | Steps and tasks |
|---|---|
| Plan | Step 1: Plan for Viva Connections Identify and align on key tasks and scenarios that can be supported by Connections. Learn more about how Connections and SharePoint home sites work together. Step 2: Set a SharePoint home site (Optional) Determine if a standalone Connections experience or an intranet portal is needed. If you decide on an intranet portal, prepare your communications site. Step 3: Plan the dashboard Learn more about the different kinds of cards and how they can support specific scenarios. Step 4: Get ready for the Feed Consider ways to influence the order of content in the Feed. Step 5: Plan Resources Determine which links belong in the resources section. Step 6: Create an adoption plan Create a plan to help the rest of the organization adopt Connections. Learn more about Connections adoption. Step 7: Consider success metrics Think about how your organization determines if Connections is meeting your specific needs. Step 8: Plan for maintenance over time Consider which parts of the experience might need to be refreshed over time. |
| Build | Step 1: Start creating a Viva Connections experience in the Microsoft admin center Choose to create a single experience for the whole organization, or multiple experiences that service distinct audiences. You can create standalone experiences or choose to build off an existing intranet portal to set it as a SharePoint home site. Step 2: Pin the Viva Connections app in Microsoft Teams (Optional) After the creation of your first experience, pin the app in the Teams admin center to make Connections easily discoverable to users. If your users have an F license, Connections is pinned by default. Step 3: Ensure high-traffic sites and portals are healthy Run a health check and make sure everyone has access to the right content. Step 4: Test and refine the experience Find people in your organization who can test the experience before being released more broadly. |
| Launch | Step 1: Consider tactics to spread the news Think about where different audiences usually get news. Step 2: Announce Viva Connections Use more than one communication channel to reach audiences. Step 3: Use champions and provide continued support Continue to use early adopters to help others get the most out of Connections. |
Overview of roles in each phase
| Phase | Roles |
|---|---|
| Plan | Work with your organization’s stakeholders and business partners (from groups like HR, operations, facilities, communications specialists, and technology advocates) to identify the most valuable workflows and tasks that can be completed in Connections. Key administrative stakeholders typically include: - Business owners, who lead efforts in different departments like sales, operations, design, engineering, etc. - HR professionals, who manage team members and oversee company and organizational structure and efficiency. - Internal communication specialists, who facilitate and manage communications between users and various internal teams. - Communications coordinators and specialists, who execute and maintain company-wide communications and brand management. - Administrative assistants, who complete and oversee various administrative tasks. |
| Build | - The Microsoft admin center admin will set up the initial experience, add audiences, designate owners who can edit and customize each Connections experience, and pins the app in Teams (if needed). - Site owners and authors for the SharePoint home site design the SharePoint home site content, global navigation, and the dashboard. - Other site owners and authors can be involved to update content or news posts that are relevant to the Connections experience. |
| Launch | - Collaborate with champions (early adopters) to help other people at the organization implement Connections. - Use executive sponsors who can help evangelize Connections at large company meetings and in broad communications. - Business owners and managers at all levels can help teams and individuals find value and adopt new ways of working. |
Next, plan Viva Connections for your organization
After reviewing the phases, tasks, and roles needed to get Connections, you're ready to begin planning Connections for your organization.