Microsoft is shutting down its Viva Goals platform, leaving businesses scrambling for alternatives. The decision, announced in a company blog post, comes as a shock to many users who relied on Viva Goals to track and manage organizational objectives.
Viva Goals Retirement: A Sudden End
Viva Goals, introduced as a solution for aligning teams and progress towards organizational goals, has seen its share of adoption within CX management teams. It allowed for seamless integration of data and reporting tools, providing clear dashboards and easy sharing of updates with business leaders. However, Microsoft has pulled the plug, giving users a year to find a replacement.
The abrupt exit has left many puzzled. Just recently, Viva Goals was featured on Microsoft’s Ignite event roadmap. LinkedIn posts from industry experts like Ståle Hansen, CEO of Cloudway (a Microsoft 365 advisory), even hinted at an upcoming update, suggesting a sudden shift in strategy. Tony Redmond, Owner of Redmond & Associates, a firm specializing in Microsoft Office 365, described the news as a “complete surprise” for customers who invested in the platform.
Why is Microsoft Retiring Viva Goals?
The lack of user adoption likely played a role in Microsoft’s decision. Tony Redmond suggests that Viva Goals “just didn’t succeed in winning sufficient customers to warrant ongoing development.” Despite the clear benefits for some businesses, it seems that the platform failed to capture a wider audience.
Migration Options and Alternatives
Recognizing the disruption this will cause, Microsoft is offering help in migrating data from Viva Goals to alternative platforms. API, Excel, and PowerPoint options are outlined for users needing to transition. However, Microsoft hasn’t recommended a specific replacement solution, leaving users to explore options like Profit.co, Lattice, or Asana.
Microsoft’s Commitment to Other Viva Products
While Viva Goals is being retired, Microsoft reassures users that it remains fully committed to the wider Viva suite. Other Viva products, like Viva Connections, Viva Insights, and Viva Learning, will continue to be supported and developed.
More Recent Microsoft Announcements
Microsoft’s recent “retirement” trend extends beyond Viva Goals. The company has also announced the discontinuation of its Customer Service Hub (CSH) app in Dynamics 365 Customer Service for new enterprise customers by February 2025. Existing users can switch to the Customer Service Workspace as an alternative.
On a more positive note, Microsoft and SAP have announced plans to integrate their virtual assistants, 365 Copilot and Joule. This collaboration, showcased at SAP Sapphire and Microsoft Ignite 2024, allows customers to seamlessly switch between the two assistants within Microsoft-SAP environments, benefiting from combined capabilities.
Plan your Next Steps
The retirement of Viva Goals underscores the fast-paced nature of the technology landscape. It’s a reminder for businesses to stay informed about product updates and plan for potential changes. Start exploring alternative solutions today to ensure a seamless transition and continued success in achieving your organizational goals.
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