Introduction

This article addresses a common issue encountered in Teams Manager related to lifecycle management based on end dates. IT administrators often face challenges when the lifecycle of teams doesn't align with specified end dates, leading to confusion and potential mismanagement of team archives and policies.

Problem Statement

• Issue: Lifecycle settings in Teams Manager default to the creation date instead of a custom end date.
• Error Message: None specific, but the lifecycle reflects "Days until the team is archived after creation" instead of a custom date.
• User Impact: This issue causes administrators to struggle with correctly setting up team lifecycles based on specific end dates, affecting the management and archiving of teams in accordance with organizational policies.

Step-by-Step Solution

1. Access Template Settings:

   • Navigate to Teams Manager.
   • Go to Settings.
   • Select Template Settings.

2. Modify Template Metadata:

   • Locate the specific team template.
   • Click on the three dots (⋯) next to the template.
   • Choose 'Set fields'.

3. Add Date Metadata:

   • In the 'Set fields' section, add the Date metadata.
   • Ensure the metadata field type is correctly set to Date.

4. Create or Modify Team/Request:

   • After setting up the Date metadata, create a new team or modify an existing request.
   • Ensure the end date is correctly inputted in the metadata.

5. Verify Lifecycle Settings:

   • Check the lifecycle settings to confirm that the system now calculates the archive date based on the specified end date.

6. Test the Configuration:

   • Create a test team with the modified template.
   • Verify that the lifecycle reflects the specified end date for archiving.

Additional Tips

• Double-Check Metadata Types: Ensure that the metadata type corresponds correctly (e.g., Date type for date fields).
• Review Lifecycle Policy: Regularly review and update lifecycle policies to align with organizational changes.
• Cross-Check with External User Manager or MindMap: If using integrated tools like External User Manager or MindMap, ensure consistent settings across platforms.

FAQs

1. How do I set a specific end date for team archiving in Teams Manager?

   • Follow the step-by-step guide above to add Date metadata to your team template and ensure the lifecycle settings use this date for calculations.

2. What if the lifecycle still shows the creation date after these changes?

   • Double-check the metadata field type is set to Date and that the correct field is selected in the lifecycle settings.

3. Can this setting be applied to all teams automatically?

   • Yes, by modifying the template settings, all teams created with that template will inherit these settings.

Troubleshooting Further Issues

• Check for System Updates: Ensure Teams Manager is updated to the latest version.
• Review Connected Systems: If integrated with systems like Hyperlinks or File Manager, verify their settings align with Teams Manager.

Product Information

Teams Manager is a powerful tool for managing team lifecycles, templates, and policies within Microsoft Teams. It simplifies administration, enhances team organization, and streamlines collaboration. Addressing lifecycle management issues enhances the precision and efficiency of team archiving and policy enforcement.

Related Articles

• [Managing External Users in Teams Manager]
• [Integrating MindMap with Teams Manager]
• [Utilizing Hyperlinks in Teams Manager]
• [File Manager Integration with Teams Manager]

Remember to update your Teams Manager documentation regularly to ensure alignment with these practices.