Viva Connections: Search for People using People Card in Viva Connections Dashboard

Key insights

• The Viva Connections Dashboard includes a "People" card, enabling users to search for colleagues within their organization. This feature pulls contact information from Microsoft Entra ID, allowing direct communication via chat, email, or call.


• Adding the People Card:
  • Navigate to your SharePoint home site and access the dashboard through "Manage Viva Connections."
  • Edit the dashboard in "Desktop" view and add the "People" card from available options.
  • Configure the card's title, size, and audience targeting as needed before republishing.


• The People card is exclusive to the Viva Connections Dashboard and is not available as a web part on standard SharePoint pages. Ensure your organization's Microsoft Entra ID is up-to-date for accurate information retrieval.


• User Experience: Users can search by typing a name into the People card. Selecting a user displays their contact details with options for direct communication.


• Nuances and Limitations: The People Search Card is only available in Viva Connections and not on regular SharePoint pages. If you replace the default page with your SharePoint Intranet Homesite, add the Viva Connections Dashboard Web Part to display it.

Introduction to Viva Connections Dashboard and People Card

The Viva Connections Dashboard is a powerful tool within Microsoft Teams that enhances organizational communication by integrating SharePoint capabilities. One of its standout features is the "People" card, which allows users to search for colleagues within their organization effortlessly. This feature pulls contact information from Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory), enabling users to initiate chats, emails, or calls directly from the card. In this article, we will explore the setup process, user experience, and nuances of the People card in Viva Connections.

Setting Up the People Card in Viva Connections

To start benefiting from the People card, it must first be added to your Viva Connections Dashboard. Here’s a step-by-step guide to doing so:

• Access the Dashboard: Begin by navigating to your SharePoint home site. Click on the gear icon and select "Manage Viva Connections," then choose "View Dashboard."
• Edit the Dashboard: Click on the "Edit" button and switch to the "Desktop" view for optimal editing.
• Add the People Card: Click on "+ Add a card" and select "People" from the list of available cards.
• Configure the Card: Customize the card’s title, size, and audience targeting as needed.
• Publish the Dashboard: After configuring, click "Republish" to make the card available to users.

Once added, users can search for colleagues by typing a name into the People card. Selecting a user displays their contact information and provides options to communicate directly.

User Experience with the People Card

The user experience with the People card is designed to be intuitive and straightforward. When a user types a name into the search field, the card provides relevant suggestions. Clicking on a suggested user reveals their contact details, making it easy to initiate communication. This seamless integration into the Viva Connections Dashboard enhances user productivity by providing quick access to essential contact information.

Nuances and Limitations of the People Card

While the People card is a valuable addition to the Viva Connections Dashboard, it comes with certain nuances and limitations:

• Exclusive to Viva Connections: The People card is exclusive to the Viva Connections Dashboard and isn’t available as a web part on standard SharePoint pages.
• Dependency on Microsoft Entra ID: The card relies on up-to-date information from Microsoft Entra ID, meaning organizations must maintain accurate data in this directory.
• Integration Challenges: If the default Viva Connections Page is replaced with a SharePoint Intranet Homesite, displaying the People card requires adding the Viva Connections Dashboard Web Part to the Homepage.

Tradeoffs and Challenges in Implementing the People Card

Implementing the People card involves balancing various factors. On one hand, it offers streamlined access to contact information, enhancing communication efficiency. However, organizations must ensure that their Microsoft Entra ID is consistently updated to prevent outdated or incorrect information from being displayed. Additionally, the exclusivity of the People card to Viva Connections may limit its accessibility for users who primarily work within standard SharePoint pages. Furthermore, integrating the People card into customized SharePoint environments can present challenges. Organizations that have replaced the default Viva Connections Page with a SharePoint Intranet Homesite may need to employ additional steps to incorporate the People card, potentially complicating the setup process.

Conclusion

The People card in the Viva Connections Dashboard is a significant enhancement for organizations utilizing Microsoft Teams and SharePoint. By offering easy access to colleague contact information, it facilitates improved communication and collaboration. However, organizations must be mindful of the card's limitations and ensure that their Microsoft Entra ID is well-maintained. Despite these challenges, the People card remains a valuable tool for boosting productivity and streamlining communication within organizations.

Keywords

People Card, Viva Connections, Dashboard Search, Employee Directory, Microsoft 365, Workplace Collaboration, Organizational Network, Team Profiles