Managing IT infrastructure used to be a straightforward task for internal teams when applications and systems were hosted on-premises. However, the shift to cloud services, such as Microsoft 365, has introduced a new dynamic: control over infrastructure changes now lies with the service provider.
Microsoft 365 (M365) changes, including feature updates and policy modifications, are often applied automatically, leaving IT teams with limited influence over when and how these changes take effect. This shift in control brings significant challenges, particularly for managing enterprise environments effectively.
How is Microsoft 365 change communicated?
Microsoft primarily communicates M365 changes through the Microsoft 365 Message Center and the Microsoft 365 Roadmap. These platforms act as the central hubs for updates. However, they are not the only sources of information.
Changes can also be announced via community blogs, at industry events, and in Microsoft Learn documentation. This fragmented communication makes it difficult to stay on top of all updates, some of which could have a major impact on an organization’s environment.
For more detailed insights into the purpose and content of the Message Center and Roadmap, refer to this blog.
The pace and scale of change
One of the most significant challenges with M365 is the sheer volume and frequency of changes. Microsoft’s rapid release cycles can overwhelm IT teams, as they must continually adapt internal processes to keep pace.
Empowering.Cloud reports that each month there are, on average:
- 198 new items added to the Message Center
- Up to 150 updates to those items, including deployment delays and technical revisions
This relentless pace makes it difficult for IT teams to determine which changes require immediate action and which are lower priority.
Limitations of the Microsoft 365 Message Center
Although the Message Center is the primary source for M365 updates, it is not without its flaws. Key limitations include:
- Vague or overly complex explanations: Descriptions often contain technical jargon, making it challenging for non-specialists to assess the implications of changes. Small but significant updates, such as deployment delays or feature retirements, may also go unnoticed.
- Lack of impact assessment: The Message Center does not clearly indicate the level of impact for changes. IT teams must manually assess each item to determine whether it affects users, administrators, or both, and whether immediate action is required.
For example, a change like MC920307 (“Copilot Pages coming to Microsoft Copilot”) might include both admin and user impacts. However, IT teams need to read the fine print to understand that while the feature is enabled by default (requiring minimal admin setup), it could significantly affect users.
- Tenant-specific data: Notifications are tailored to individual tenants, meaning large organizations with multiple tenants may face inconsistencies in updates. Additionally, changes to one M365 service can have unexpected downstream effects on others, requiring cross-functional coordination.
Why managing change is a challenge
Given the scale and speed of change, coupled with fragmented communication and tenant-specific nuances, managing Microsoft 365 effectively demands significant time and resources. IT teams must:
- Track and evaluate thousands of changes annually
- Determine the impact of each change on users and administrators
- Coordinate responses across different teams and tenants
Without a clear system for managing these updates, it is easy to miss critical changes that could disrupt services or introduce compliance risks.
Streamlining M365 change management with ChangePilot
Pure IP customers can now access ChangePilot, which streamlines the Microsoft 365 journey enabling IT teams to focus on critical tasks by eliminating the complexity of change management. With enhanced visibility into updates, ChangePilot empowers organizations to:
- Centralize change tracking across tenants
- Assess the impact of updates quickly and efficiently
- Streamline communication and action plans for feature rollouts or policy adjustments
With ChangePilot, Pure IP customers can proactively manage the ever-evolving cloud landscape, ensuring seamless adoption of changes while minimizing disruption.
Speak to a member of our team to explore how ChangePilot can support your organization in staying ahead of Microsoft 365 updates.
