MC942817 – Microsoft Viva Connections: Default experience for Home site customers

Product:

Microsoft 365 admin center, Microsoft Viva, Microsoft Viva Connections, SharePoint, Teams

Platform:

Online, Web, Windows Desktop, World tenant

Status:

Rolling out

Change type:

Admin impact, New feature, Updated message, User impact

Links:

422815

Details:

Summary:
Microsoft Viva Connections will automatically set the Home site as the default experience in Teams for customers who haven't set a Viva Connections experience. This rollout starts mid-January 2025 and ends late March 2025. No action is required unless you want to disable this change.

Details:
Updated March 18, 2025: We have updated the rollout timeline below. Thank you for your patience.
Coming soon: We will automatically set your Home site as the default experience for Microsoft Viva Connections app in Microsoft Teams.
Note: This change will only apply to customers who have not yet set a Viva Connections experience in their tenants. Customers who already have a Viva Connections experience (either standalone or backed by a Home site) will not be affected by this change.
This message is associated with Microsoft 365 Roadmap ID 422815.
[When will this happen:]
General Availability (Worldwide): We will begin rolling out mid-January 2025 and expect to complete by late March 2025 (previously late February).

Change Category:
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Scope:
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Release Phase:
General Availability

Created:
2024-11-27

updated:
2025-03-19

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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MS workload name

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linked item details

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summary for non-techies**

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Direct effects for Operations**

User Experience Disruption
Users may experience confusion or disruption if they are not aware that the Home site is now the default experience in Teams, leading to potential frustration and decreased productivity.
   - roles: End Users, Team Leaders
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/manage-apps#allow-or-block-apps" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/manage-apps#allow-or-block-apps, https://learn.microsoft.com/viva/connections/set-up-admin-center#how-to-access-viva-connections-in-the-microsoft-admin-center " target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://learn.microsoft.com/viva/connections/set-up-admin-center#how-to-access-viva-connections-in-the-microsoft-admin-center

Increased Support Requests
The automatic change may lead to an increase in support requests from users who are unfamiliar with the new default experience, impacting IT support resources.
   - roles: IT Support Staff, Help Desk Agents
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=422815, https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/sharepoint-online/set-spohomesite?view=sharepoint-ps

Documentation and Training Gaps
Existing documentation may become outdated, and users may require additional training to adapt to the new default experience, leading to potential knowledge gaps.
   - roles: Training Coordinators, Documentation Specialists
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/viva/connections/set-up-admin-center#how-to-access-viva-connections-in-the-microsoft-admin-center, https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/manage-apps#allow-or-block-apps" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/manage-apps#allow-or-block-apps

Configutation Options**

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Opportunities**

Enhanced User Engagement through Teams Integration
By integrating the Home site as the default experience in Teams, user engagement with organizational resources can significantly increase. This makes it easier for employees to access important information and tools directly from Teams, promoting a more connected and informed workforce.
   - next-steps: Communicate the change to all employees, highlighting the benefits of accessing the Home site via Teams. Encourage teams to utilize the platform for collaboration and information sharing.
   - roles: HR Managers, Team Leaders, Communications Officers
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/manage-apps#allow-or-block-apps, https://learn.microsoft.com/viva/connections/set-up-admin-center#how-to-access-viva-connections-in-the-microsoft-admin-center

Streamlined Access to Resources
The default setting of the Home site in Teams simplifies access to critical organizational resources, reducing the time employees spend searching for information. This can enhance productivity and improve overall user experience.
   - next-steps: Analyze current user behavior to identify common resources accessed and promote these through the Home site. Consider training sessions to familiarize users with the new setup.
   - roles: IT Managers, Operations Managers, Training Coordinators
   - references: https://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=&searchterms=422815, https://learn.microsoft.com/powershell/module/sharepoint-online/set-spohomesite?view=sharepoint-ps

Improved Administrative Efficiency
With the automatic rollout of the Home site as the default, IT administrators can save time on configuration and management of user access to organizational resources, allowing them to focus on other critical IT tasks.
   - next-steps: Review current administrative tasks to identify areas where time can be saved. Provide feedback to Microsoft on the rollout process and suggest additional automation features that could further enhance efficiency.
   - roles: IT Administrators, System Administrators, Project Managers
   - references: https://learn.microsoft.com/microsoftteams/manage-apps#allow-or-block-apps, https://learn.microsoft.com/viva/connections/set-up-admin-center#how-to-access-viva-connections-in-the-microsoft-admin-center

Potentional Risks**

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IT Security**

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explanation for non-techies**

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