Office Administration · Short course
Microsoft Planner, Excel, and AI for Peak Administrative Productivity
In today’s fast-paced corporate environment, administrative professionals and support staff need cutting-edge digital tools and proven productivity techniques to manage workloads, streamline processes, and execute tasks with…
The programme
Programme overview
In today’s fast-paced corporate environment, administrative professionals and support staff need cutting-edge digital tools and proven productivity techniques to manage workloads, streamline processes, and execute tasks with precision. This 5-Day Master Class combines hands-on training in Microsoft Planner (for project and priority management) and intermediate Excel (for data organisation) with time-management frameworks and AI-assisted workflows to transform how you work.
Delegates will plan real small projects and daily/weekly schedules in Microsoft Planner, apply Excel automation tricks, use Copilot across Planner, Excel, and Outlook to work faster, and adopt best practices for administrative efficiency — ensuring they leave with actionable systems to reduce friction, meet deadlines, and add measurable value to their roles.
Key Tools Covered
- Microsoft Planner (task/project management), including its built-in Copilot features
- Excel (intermediate formulas, dashboards, and Copilot-assisted analysis)
- Outlook/Teams Integration (calendar blocking, Copilot-assisted email triage)
- Productivity Apps (To Do, OneNote)
Who should attend
Who is this programme for?
- Office Administrators
- Administrative Supervisors
- Secretaries and Personal Assistants
- Administrative Support Staff
- Office Managers
Learning outcomes
What you will learn
- Master Microsoft Planner, including its Copilot features, to organise tasks, projects, and team collaboration
- Apply intermediate Excel skills (formulas, tables, dashboards) and Copilot-assisted analysis for data-driven efficiency
- Design optimised daily and weekly schedules using digital tools, AI assistance, and prioritisation frameworks
- Execute small projects end-to-end with clear milestones and accountability
- Reduce time wasted on low-value tasks through automation, AI assistance, and workflow hacks
Employer Benefits
- Reduced operational delays from clear task ownership
- Standardised processes for onboarding and training
- Data-driven workload management via Excel and Planner
- Faster adoption of AI-assisted workflows already available in your organisation's Microsoft 365 licence
Explore the programme
Detailed programme outline
- Time audits: identifying productivity leaks
- Prioritisation frameworks: the Eisenhower Matrix and “Eat the Frog”
- Creating boards for daily tasks vs. projects
- Assigning tasks, deadlines, and progress tracking
- Using Planner's Copilot features to draft task breakdowns and suggested plans
- Essential formulas: VLOOKUP, SUMIFS, conditional formatting
- Building dynamic to-do lists and trackers
- Using Copilot in Excel to suggest formulas and speed up analysis
- Macros basics and Quick Analysis tools
- Creating a personal “productivity dashboard”
- Using Copilot to generate a first-pass dashboard layout from your data
- Breaking down tasks into subtasks and dependencies
- Using labels and buckets for prioritisation
- Sharing boards with stakeholders
- Updating progress and troubleshooting bottlenecks
- Time-blocking techniques in Outlook/Planner
- Batch processing low-cognitive tasks
- Inbox-zero strategies
- Using Copilot in Outlook to triage, summarise, and draft responses to routine emails
- Setting boundaries with polite professionalism
- Syncing Planner with Outlook/Teams
- Mobile productivity hacks
- Coordinating Copilot across Planner, Excel, and Outlook as one connected system, not separate tools
- Tracking metrics: tasks completed, time saved
- Using AI-assisted reporting to summarise your efficiency gains
- Presenting your efficiency plan to leadership
Learning approach
How you will learn
Our diverse instructional approaches ensure effective learning:
– Lectures & Presentations: Engage with expert-driven, stimulating content.– Course Material: Access well-crafted supporting resources.– Group Work: Collaborate on discussions and case studies for practical insights.– Workshops & Role-Play: Participate in immersive, scenario-based activities.– Practical Application: Focus on applying theoretical knowledge in real situations.– Post-Training Support: Receive extensive support after training for skill implementation.
Discuss your requirements
Dates, duration & arrangements
Contact Ratomac to confirm dates, duration, delivery format, entry requirements and any applicable assessment or certification before booking.
Enquire about this programme