MC1108837 – Microsoft Viva | Viva Engage: Streamlined verified answers for community experts (archived)

Product:

Microsoft Viva, Microsoft Viva Engage, Stream, Teams

Platform:

Online, Teams And Surface Devices, TeamsAndSurfaceDevices, Web, World tenant

Status:

Launched

Change type:

Feature update, User impact

Links:

408165

Details:

Summary:
Microsoft Viva Engage is consolidating the answer verification options for community experts into a single "verified answer" action to reduce decision fatigue and promote consistency. This update will roll out from mid-July to late July 2025 across Teams, Surface Devices, and Web. No admin action is required.

Details:
We're simplifying the answer verification experience in Viva Engage by consolidating the options available to community experts into a single, streamlined action. This update reduces decision fatigue and promotes consistency in how answers are validated across communities.
This message applies to the following platforms: Teams and Surface Devices, and Web.
[When this will happen:]
General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out mid-July 2025 and expect to complete by late July 2025.

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability, Preview

Created:
2025-07-04

updated:
2025-07-04

Public Preview Start Date

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Task Type

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Docu to Check

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MS How does it affect me

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MS Preperations

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linked item details

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

User Confusion
The consolidation of answer verification options may lead to confusion among community experts who are accustomed to the previous system of marking answers as either 'best answer' or 'verified answer'. This could result in inconsistent usage and frustration among users.
   - roles: Community Expert, Question Asker
   - references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/viva_engage_blog/introducing-verified-answers-in-viva-engage/4386315

Workflow Disruption
The change in answer verification may disrupt existing workflows for community experts and admins who have developed processes around the previous options. This could lead to delays in response times and decreased user satisfaction as they adapt to the new system.
   - roles: Community Admin, Community Expert
   - references: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/viva_engage_blog/introducing-verified-answers-in-viva-engage/4386315

Configutation Options**

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Data Protection**

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explanation for non-techies**

Microsoft Viva Engage is introducing a change to make life easier for community experts who answer questions. Imagine you are at a restaurant with a menu that has too many options, making it hard to decide what to order. This can lead to decision fatigue, where you feel overwhelmed by choices. Similarly, community experts in Viva Engage previously had to choose between marking an answer as a "best answer" or a "verified answer." This update simplifies things by consolidating these into a single "verified answer" option.

This change is like a restaurant reducing its menu to the most popular dishes, making it easier for customers to decide. By streamlining the process, community experts can focus on providing accurate answers without worrying about which label to use. The goal is to promote consistency and reduce confusion across the platform.

For those who ask questions, the "best answer" option remains available, just like a customer can still choose their favorite dish from the menu. Community admins, who oversee the platform, will still have access to both options, similar to a restaurant manager who can see the full menu and make decisions accordingly.

This update will automatically roll out in July 2025, and no action is needed from admins beforehand. It's like a new menu being introduced without needing the staff to do anything extra. However, it's a good idea to inform community admins and experts about this change so they can adjust their workflows, much like a restaurant staff being briefed on the new menu items.

In summary, this update is designed to make the process of verifying answers more straightforward and consistent, enhancing the trust and utility of knowledge within Viva Engage.