Increasing Efficiency with the Microsoft Planner Application

About the Program

Category: County Administration and Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

In 2022, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health (SBCDPH) adapted the Microsoft Planner application as a reaccreditation project management tool to provide an improved, intuitive user experience, and display real-time visualization of progress to stakeholders. Previously our department relied on a Microsoft SharePoint database to organize accreditation documentation. Development and maintenance of the SharePoint database required significant staff time and resources, with an ongoing administrative burden to develop training materials and train staff across the department. This solution has added value by reducing administrative burdens and complexity, creating efficiencies and cost savings, and improving communication – while using existing technology and staffing resources. Implementing Microsoft Planner has helped SBCDPH improve quality while keeping on track towards achieving reaccreditation. This replicable adaptation has been shared with and used by other counties to improve their ability to manage and plan for accreditation. The real success of this initiative is the ability for staff to focus on the work of reaccreditation rather than maintaining cumbersome project management tools. The process of applying for and maintaining national accreditation is an arduous effort. The solution allows our department to meet that challenge without diverting staff and resources to secondary issues.