MC1138786 – (Updated) Viva Glint: Focus area enhancements and retirement of goal periods

Product:

Microsoft Viva, Microsoft Viva Glint

Platform:

Online, Web, World tenant

Status:

In development

Change type:

New feature, Updated message, User impact

Links:

498922

Details:

Summary:
Viva Glint will enhance focus areas by linking them to survey cycles and retiring goal periods, simplifying reporting. The update rolls out mid-February 2026, with no data deletion. No admin action is needed, but communication and documentation updates are recommended. No compliance issues identified.

Details:
Updated January 14, 2026: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.
Introduction
We're introducing enhancements to the focus area experience in Viva Glint to improve how organizations track and act on employee feedback. With this update, focus areas will now be tied to survey cycles, and goal periods will be retired. This change simplifies reporting and aligns focus areas more closely with survey insights.
This update is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 498922.
When this will happen
General availability: We will begin rolling out mid-February 2026 (previously mid-January) and expect to complete by mid-February 2026 (previously late January).

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2025-08-21

updated:
2026-01-15

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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MS Urgency

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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
Users may be confused about the new organization of focus areas and the retirement of goal periods, leading to potential misinterpretation of data and feedback.
   - roles: HR Managers, Team Leaders
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=498922

Training Gaps
Existing training materials may become outdated, resulting in users lacking the necessary knowledge to effectively utilize the new features, impacting user experience.
   - roles: HR Trainers, End Users
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=498922

Reporting Issues
The change in reporting structure may lead to initial inaccuracies in reporting metrics, affecting decision-making processes based on employee feedback.
   - roles: Data Analysts, HR Managers
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=498922

Resistance to Change
Users may resist adapting to the new system, leading to decreased engagement with the platform and potential underutilization of its features.
   - roles: End Users, Team Leaders
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=498922

Communication Breakdown
Lack of communication regarding the changes may result in users being unaware of the new functionalities, leading to frustration and decreased productivity.
   - roles: HR Managers, Internal Communicators
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=498922

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

Enhanced Reporting Capabilities
By linking focus areas to survey cycles, organizations can streamline their reporting processes. This enhancement allows for more accurate tracking of employee feedback over time, improving decision-making and strategic planning.
   - next-steps: Conduct training sessions for managers and HR personnel on how to utilize the new reporting features effectively. Update internal documentation to reflect the changes in reporting processes.
   - roles: HR Managers, Team Leaders, Data Analysts
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=498922

Improved User Engagement
The retirement of goal periods and the focus on survey cycles may lead to increased user engagement with the Viva Glint platform. Users will find it easier to connect their feedback to current initiatives, enhancing their overall experience.
   - next-steps: Develop a communication plan to inform users about the benefits of the new focus area structure and encourage participation in upcoming survey cycles.
   - roles: Employee Engagement Officers, HR Managers, Change Management Teams
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=498922

Simplified Training and Documentation
With the removal of goal periods, training materials and internal documentation can be simplified, making it easier for users to understand how to use the platform effectively without the complexity of managing multiple goal periods.
   - next-steps: Review and revise existing training materials and documentation to remove references to goal periods and emphasize the new focus area structure. Schedule training sessions for users.
   - roles: Training Coordinators, HR Managers, IT Support Teams
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=498922

Potentional Risks**

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IT Security**

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explanation for non-techies**

Microsoft is rolling out an update to Viva Glint that will change how focus areas are managed. Imagine your current system as a library where books (focus areas) are organized by genres (goal periods). With this update, instead of organizing books by genres, they will be sorted by the year they were published (survey cycles). This means you can now see all the books published in a particular year together, making it easier to understand the trends and insights from that year.

The change simplifies the way you track and report on employee feedback by linking focus areas directly to survey cycles. This makes it easier to see how feedback evolves over time and aligns with the insights gathered from surveys. The old system of goal periods will be retired, but don't worry, no data will be lost. Any focus areas not tied to a survey cycle will still be accessible and labeled as having no survey cycle.

You don't need to take any administrative action for this transition. However, it's a good idea to inform your team about this change and update any training materials or documentation that mention goal periods. This ensures everyone is on the same page and can take full advantage of the new system.

There are no compliance issues with this update, but it's always wise to review changes to ensure they fit your organization's needs. This update will be enabled automatically, so your team can start using the new features as soon as they are available.