MS-700 Overview & My Tips

MS-700 or Microsoft Teams Administrator Associate is the certification for Teams Administrators. 

As a Teams Administrator you do need to have a good grounding in all things Microsoft 365 as Teams is the tool that pulls it all together and exposes any weaknesses in your security and compliance settings within your tenant. A Teams administrator can benefit from a good grasp of SharePoint architecture and features if your organisation is using Teams for files storage.  However that isn’t essential for this course or certification.

As a final thought, Teams Administration can be very simple.  Those of you who are coming from a VOIP background, leave it at the door.  The level of detail needed for this certification is no where near as detailed as you are used to.  And if you were a Skype Administrator you’ll be amazed at how simple Federation is – don’t make it difficult for yourself by looking for complexity where there is none!

Disclaimer: All these links were correct at the time of posting.  But the Cloud changes regularly, so the referenced articles my change/be removed.  Please do post a comment if you spot a broken link or have suggestions to add so others can benefit too.

This style of page isn’t new.   These are two that I like from a couple of Microsoft MVPs

https://microsoft365pro.co.uk/2019/11/23/microsoft-365-managing-microsoft-teams-ms-700-exam-prep-guide/

https://vladtalkstech.com/ms-700-study-guide-managing-microsoft-teams

General References

• MS-700 Exam page https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/certifications/exams/ms-700
• MeasureUp Official Practice Test https://www.measureup.com/catalogsearch/result/?cat=&q=MS-700
• Microsoft Learn. Provides searchable learning paths and modules for a variety of roles and levels. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/
• Learn TV. Digital content so you can always keep updated on the latest announcements, features, and products from Microsoft. https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/tv/
• Microsoft Teams Blog  https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-teams-blog/bg-p/MicrosoftTeamsBlog
• Channel 9.  Informational videos, shows, and events on variety of technical topics. https://channel9.msdn.com/
• Microsoft Learning Community Blog. Get the latest information about the certification tests and exam study groups. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/learning/community-blog.aspx
• Microsoft 365 Documentation https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365
• Microsoft Teams Documentation https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/
• Compare Teams Versions https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/compare-microsoft-teams-options
• Portals for Administrators https://msportals.xyz/

Taking a Microsoft Professional Exam

• Certification process overview | Microsoft Docs
• Microsoft Certification Routes https://query.prod.cms.rt.microsoft.com/cms/api/am/binary/RWtQJJ?keywords=Microsoft%20365%20Certified%20Teamwork%20Administrator%20Associate
• Microsoft Certifications – Microsoft Exam duration and question types – tiagocosta.com
• An MCT’s perspective on taking a Microsoft Fundamentals Exam (FAQ’s) – @Microsoft365Pro
• How to take a Microsoft Certification Exam Online – Thomas Maurer

Pre-study References

• My MS-900 Extras Page (Coming Soon)
• Teams Admin Training Resources https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/MicrosoftTeams/itadmin-readiness#technical-training
• Microsoft 365 licensing guidance for security & compliance https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office365/servicedescriptions/microsoft-365-service-descriptions/microsoft-365-tenantlevel-services-licensing-guidance/microsoft-365-security-compliance-licensing-guidance#information-barriers
• License Comparisons https://github.com/AaronDinnage/Licensing
• Service Trust Portal https://servicetrust.microsoft.com/
• Compare Azure AD licenses https://azure.microsoft.com/en-gb/pricing/details/active-directory/
• Teams on MS Learn https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/teams/
• Microsoft Teams help & learning – Microsoft Support
• Teams PowerShell Overview Microsoft Teams PowerShell Overview – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• An Introduction to PowerShell Introduction to PowerShell – Learn | Microsoft Docs

Microsoft Learn Learning Paths (MS-700)

• Manage team collaboration with Microsoft Teams https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/m365-manage-team-collaboration/
• Upgrade to Microsoft Teams https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/learn/paths/m365-teams-upgrade/
• choose an appropriate upgrade coexistence mode to meet specific requirements
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/MicrosoftTeams/teams-client-experience-and-conformance-to-coexistence-modes
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/skypeforbusiness/hybrid/configure-hybrid-connectivity
  • https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/exchange-team-blog/configuring-teams-calendar-access-for-exchange-on-premises/ba-p/1484009

References by Exam Objectives

Based on exam Objective from May 25, 2021

Plan and configure a Microsoft Teams environment (45-50%)

 Upgrade from Skype for Business to Microsoft Teams

• choose an appropriate upgrade coexistence mode to meet specific requirements
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/MicrosoftTeams/teams-client-experience-and-conformance-to-coexistence-modes
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/skypeforbusiness/hybrid/configure-hybrid-connectivity
  • https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/exchange-team-blog/configuring-teams-calendar-access-for-exchange-on-premises/ba-p/1484009
• plan and troubleshoot meeting migration
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/MicrosoftTeams/upgrade-to-teams-execute-skypeforbusinesshybridonprem
• configure Microsoft Teams upgrade notification and meeting app preferences
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/setting-your-coexistence-and-upgrade-settings
• configure coexistence mode for the organization and per-user
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/skype/grant-csteamsupgradepolicy?view=skype-ps
• use Teams Advisor to assess and identify steps to roll out Microsoft Teams
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/use-advisor-teams-roll-out

 Plan and configure network settings for Microsoft Teams

• plan for successful network deployment by using Network Planner
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-US/microsoftteams/network-planner
• calculate network bandwidth capacity for Microsoft Teams voice, video, meetings and Live Events
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/prepare-network#bandwidth-requirements
• assess network readiness by using the Network Testing Companion
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/use-network-testing-companion
  • https://youtu.be/nQfcTRY7VMw
• configure network ports and protocols used by Microsoft Teams client application
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/prepare-network#network-requirements
• configure media optimizations by using QoS
  • Implement Quality of Service in Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• configure and manage locations including reporting labels, emergency addresses, and network topology, and networks & locations
  • Add and update reporting labels – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/what-are-emergency-locations-addresses-and-call-routing

 Implement governance and lifecycle management for Microsoft Teams

• create and manage Teams templates and template policies
  • Manage team templates in the admin center – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• set up policies for Microsoft 365 group creation
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/admin/create-groups/manage-creation-of-groups?view=o365-worldwide
• configure Microsoft 365 groups, expiration policy, and naming policy
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/solutions/microsoft-365-groups-expiration-policy?view=o365-worldwide
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/solutions/groups-naming-policy
• archive, unarchive, delete, and restore a team
  • https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/archive-or-restore-a-team-dc161cfd-b328-440f-974b-5da5bd98b5a7#:~:text=Archive%20or%20restore%20a%20team%201%20Select%20Teams,the%20SharePoint%20site%20read-only%20for%20team%20members.%20
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/archive-or-delete-a-team
• configure and manage Update policies
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/MicrosoftTeams/public-preview-doc-updates

Configure and manage guest access

General References – https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/communicate-with-users-from-other-organizations and https://m365train.co.uk/2020/06/22/external-guest-communication-in-ms-teams/

External & Guest Communication in MS Teams – Sara Fennah’s Blog (m365train.co.uk)

• configure guest users for Microsoft Teams
  • Guest access in Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• configure guest permissions for a team
  • Set guest permissions for channels in Teams – Office Support (microsoft.com)
• configure meeting and live events experiences for guests
  • Manage meeting policies for participants and guests – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
  • Set up for live events in Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• configure messaging and calling options for guests
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/set-up-guests#configure-guest-access-in-the-teams-admin-center
• remove guests
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/b2b/leave-the-organization
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/admin/add-users/about-guest-users?view=o365-worldwide#next-steps-remove-a-guest
• manage Azure AD access review for guests
  • Manage user access with access reviews – Azure AD | Microsoft Docs
• configure guest access from Azure AD portal
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/solutions/collaborate-as-team?view=o365-worldwide#azure-external-collaboration-settings

 Manage security and compliance

• assign Microsoft Teams Admin roles
  • Use Microsoft Teams administrator roles to manage Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• create and manage compliance features, including retention policies, sensitivity labels, and data loss prevention (DLP) policies
  • Teams DLP Playbook https://lnkd.in/eUfHaK8
  • Conduct an eDiscovery investigation of content in Teams https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/ediscovery-investigation#ediscovery-of-private-channels
  • Overview of security and compliance – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• create security and compliance alerts for Microsoft Teams
  • Search the audit log for events in Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
  • Alert policies in the security and compliance centers – Microsoft 365 Compliance | Microsoft Docs
• create an information barrier policy
  • Information barriers in Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• interpret security reports for Microsoft Teams

Deploy and manage Microsoft Teams endpoints

• deploy Microsoft Teams clients to devices, including Windows, VDI (Virtual Desktop), Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD), MacOS, and mobile devices
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/MicrosoftTeams/get-clients
  • https://commsverse.blog/2018/09/28/clear-the-microsoft-teams-client-cache/
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/MicrosoftTeams/troubleshoot/teams
  • https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365/microsoft-teams/across-devices
• manage configuration profiles
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/devices/device-management#use-configuration-profiles-in-teams
• manage Microsoft Teams device tags
  • Manage and filter Microsoft Teams device tags – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• manage device settings and firmware
  • Manage your devices in Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• configure Microsoft Teams Rooms accounts
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/rooms/
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/rooms/rooms-deploy

 Monitor and analyze service usage

• interpret Microsoft Teams usage reports
  • Microsoft Teams usage report – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• interpret Microsoft 365 usage reports
  • Microsoft 365 Reports in the admin center – Microsoft 365 Apps usage – Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Docs
• optimize call quality by using Call Analytics
  • Monitor and improve call quality for Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/use-call-analytics-to-troubleshoot-poor-call-quality
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/quality-of-experience-review-guide
• analyze organization-wide call quality by using Call Quality Dashboard
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/cqd-data-and-reports
• use Power BI to identify call quality issues
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/cqd-power-bi-query-templates
  • https://github.com/stuartridout/LiveEventsPBIX

Manage Chat, Calling, and Meetings (30-35%)

 Manage chat and collaboration experiences

• configure messaging policies
  • Assign policies to your users in Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• manage external access
  • Manage external access (federation) – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• manage channels for a team
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/manage-channel-moderation-in-teams#:~:text=In%20Teams%2C%20go%20to%20the%20channel%2C%20click%20More,setting.%20There%27s%20no%20tenant-level%20setting%20for%20channel%20moderation.
• manage private channel creation
  • Manage teams policies in Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• manage email integration
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/enable-features-office-365#email-integration
  • Teams and Outlook email integration – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
  • Send an email to a channel in Teams – Office Support (microsoft.com)
• configure external access for SharePoint and OneDrive for Business
  • Secure external access to Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive with Azure Active Directory | Microsoft Docs
• manage cloud file storage options for collaboration
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/enable-features-office-365#files

 Manage meeting experiences

• configure meeting settings
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/tmr-meeting-recording-change
• create and manage meeting policies
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/MicrosoftTeams/teams-recording-policy
• configure settings for live events
  • Configure live event settings in Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• create and manage policies for live events
  • Live events recording policies – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
  • Virtual Events Guide
• configure conference bridge settings
  • Change the settings for an Audio Conferencing bridge – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs

 Manage phone numbers

• recommend a PSTN connectivity solution based on specific business requirements
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/country-and-region-availability-for-audio-conferencing-and-calling-plans/country-and-region-availability-for-audio-conferencing-and-calling-plans
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/direct-routing-landing-page
• order phone numbers
  • Getting phone numbers for your users – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• manage service numbers
  • Getting service phone numbers – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• add, change, or remove an emergency address for your organization
  • Add, change, remove emergency locations – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• assign, change, or remove a phone number for a user
  • Assign, change, or remove a phone number for a user – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• manage voice and audio conferencing settings for users
  • Manage Audio Conferencing settings for users – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
  • Manage voice and calling policies in Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• configure dynamic emergency policies
  • Configure dynamic emergency calling – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs

 Manage Phone System

• manage resource accounts
  • Manage resource accounts in Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• create and configure call queues
  • Create a call queue in Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• create and configure auto attendants
  • Set up an auto attendant for Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• manage call park policies
  • Call park and retrieve in Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• manage calling policies
  • Calling policies in Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• manage caller ID policies
  • Manage caller ID policies in Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• interpret the Direct Routing health dashboard
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/MicrosoftTeams/direct-routing-plan
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/MicrosoftTeams/direct-routing-border-controllers

 Manage Teams and app policies (20-25%)

 Manage a team

• create a team
  • https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/admin/create-groups/choose-domain-to-create-groups?view=o365-worldwide
  • https://sharepoint-tricks.com/export-the-private-channels-on-your-organisation/
• upgrade an existing resource to a team
  • Create a team from an existing group – Office Support (microsoft.com)
  • Upgrade distribution lists to Microsoft 365 Groups in Outlook – Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Docs
• manage privacy levels for a team
  • Make a public team private in Teams – Office Support (microsoft.com)
• manage org-wide teams
  • Create an org-wide team in Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• Create and manage policy packages in Teams
  • Manage policy packages in Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs

 Manage membership in a team

• manage users in a team
  • Assign team owners and members in Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• configure dynamic membership
  • Overview of dynamic membership for teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• manage access review for team members
  • Manage user access with access reviews – Azure AD | Microsoft Docs

 Implement policies for Microsoft Teams apps

• manage Org-wide app settings
  • Manage your apps in the Microsoft Teams admin center – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• create and manage app permission policies
  • Manage app policies in Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• create and manage app setup policies
  • Manage app setup policies in Microsoft Teams – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs
• manage apps store customization
  • Custom apps store – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs

Extras

This section contains links which may be of interest to Teams Administrators generally.

Some Knowledge Check Quizzes

• Teams Scenario Quiz – https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=pkISNZbQ1USU6s12Gigaukkc-QRLPOBClsG7Er7AanVUM1RIU0hBTTJWT1NTMzZHUVFGMzRBSkJMNi4u
• Overview of Teams – https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=pkISNZbQ1USU6s12GigautyNP8nxr85OjaulBfjWtXtURElFUkM3WkpNQlVXOVFYVUxYU1NGMjlEVyQlQCN0PWcu
• Overview of Teams Security & Compliance – https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=pkISNZbQ1USU6s12GigautyNP8nxr85OjaulBfjWtXtURVBIM0U1Q0hRNkdRR0IwMzhIV0tLQkNFRyQlQCN0PWcu
• Overview of Managing Teams – https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=pkISNZbQ1USU6s12GigautyNP8nxr85OjaulBfjWtXtUNFRRU1lPRTIzVVdMS0tYRkJKSlE0VUtQTiQlQCN0PWcu
• Implement Teams Lifecycle Management – https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=pkISNZbQ1USU6s12GigautyNP8nxr85OjaulBfjWtXtUMUdRUFROOFVWWEZYSDNDSDJVV0FWU0hZQiQlQCN0PWcu
• Implement Security for Microsoft Teams – https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=pkISNZbQ1USU6s12GigautyNP8nxr85OjaulBfjWtXtUQUVQUDBINjBTVkVZV1VPMFBBNDdBRE80OCQlQCN0PWcu
• Implement Compliance for Microsoft Teams – https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=pkISNZbQ1USU6s12GigautyNP8nxr85OjaulBfjWtXtURDBSVUo3R085SVlCWkdKUVcwWDBFRTIwViQlQCN0PWcu
• Upgrade from Skype for Business to Microsoft Teams – https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=pkISNZbQ1USU6s12GigautyNP8nxr85OjaulBfjWtXtUMDVZTVBCVDZKVFpLNTVFUk85VU1RSlVCSiQlQCN0PWcu
• Plan and Configure Network Setting for Microsoft Teams – https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=pkISNZbQ1USU6s12GigautyNP8nxr85OjaulBfjWtXtUMUFCVEIzOFBTSzJIV0JGTEs2QVlGVUtQTiQlQCN0PWcu
• Teams Owner Knowledge Check – https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=pkISNZbQ1USU6s12GigautyNP8nxr85OjaulBfjWtXtUMFVaV1ZHM1NZWExHRURSMjI4TktBSzBEUCQlQCN0PWcu
• Teams in Education https://bit.ly/2MlRjOZ

Give Feedback, Get Help, Keep up with Changes

Teams Tech Community https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-teams/ct-p/MicrosoftTeams

Teams UserVoice (Yes Microsoft are moving away from UserVoice but Teams User Voice is still vibrant and active) https://microsoftteams.uservoice.com/

Teams Roadmap https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=Microsoft%20Teams

Microsoft 365 User Adoption Resources https://aka.ms/MicrosoftAdoption

Going Further

What else can I do with teams?

You may also be interested in Blogs I’ve written for Administrators http://teamsqueen.com/administrator/

Additional Apps for Teams https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/platform/samples/app-templates#request-a-team-app

Contact Center in Teams https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/MicrosoftTeams/teams-contact-center

How to fix authentication issues with personal apps which use SharePoint Pages https://teams.handsontek.net/2020/02/13/how-to-fix-the-authentication-issues-with-personal-apps-using-sharepoint-pages/

Discover all Private Channels https://sharepoint-tricks.com/export-the-private-channels-on-your-organisation/

Microsoft Lists Quick start Guide https://teamworktools.azurewebsites.net/lists/Lists%20Quickstart%20guide.pdf

Teams Features by Platform https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/teams-features-by-platform-debe7ff4-7db4-4138-b7d0-fcc276f392d3?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=US

Phone Numbers – What you Need to Know https://online.commsverse.com/microsoft-phone-numbers-what-you-need-to-know/

You can do lots with the Graph and Teams, here is an example. Teams Meeting Tenant To Tenant Migration! | A blog about automation and technologies in the cloud (alexholmeset.blog)

Education Specific

Teams for Education Teams for Education – Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Docs

Reflect for Emotional Well Being https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/office/reflect-in-teams-for-emotional-well-being-27ce1df4-7c6f-4cb2-9a82-fe4e8a8ab92f