How OnePlan Status Update Approvals Keep Your Project Data Accurate
OnePlan status updates let team members report progress on their tasks. With approval turned on, each update goes to the project manager first. The manager reviews it, then accepts or rejects it. Only accepted updates change the Work Plan. This keeps your schedule and reports built on checked data.
Good project data starts with good updates. But not every update is right the first time. A task gets marked done too soon. A percent complete gets typed wrong. OnePlan's approval step catches these before they reach your reports.
This guide covers how OnePlan status updates work, how to approve them, and how to set them up for your team.
What Are OnePlan Status Updates?
A status update tells the project manager where a task stands. It might say the task is 50% done. Or it might say the task is complete.
OnePlan gives team members three ways to send an update:
My Work. One place to see and update every task assigned to them, across all plans.
Timesheets. They can update task status while they log their hours.
The Status Update form. Project managers can request updates. Team members get an email and a notice with a link to the form.
All three use the same form. So your team learns one process, not three.
Why Does OnePlan Use an Approval Step?
Think of approval as a quality check. The team member knows the task. The project manager knows the whole plan. Approval brings both views together before anything changes.
Here is what that gives you:
Clean reports. Leaders see data a manager has checked.
Fewer surprises. You spot a slipping task before it shows up in a status report.
A clear record. Each update is accepted or rejected, with a reason when it is rejected.
For teams that report to executives, clients, or government sponsors, that check matters.
What Happens After a Team Member Marks a Task Complete?
With approval on, the update does not change the plan right away. OnePlan holds it until the project manager reviews it.
This means the Work Plan keeps its old values for now. If the due date has passed, the task still shows as overdue. That is by design. Once the manager accepts the update, the task closes and drops off the overdue list.
Many teams use the overdue list this way. It works as a to-do list of updates waiting for review.
How Do You Approve Status Updates in OnePlan?
When you open a project with pending updates, OnePlan prompts you to review them. Here is the full flow:
Open the project. OnePlan shows the updates your team sent in.
Review each update. Changed values are marked so you can spot them fast.
Accept or reject. You can act on one update or many at once.
Add a note when you reject. The team member sees why and can fix it.
Save the plan. Accepted updates now show in the Work Plan.
Refresh Home Page Insights. Closed tasks drop off your overdue list.
You can also approve updates from the Status Updates panel in the Work Plan. Tasks with pending updates show a checkmark icon next to their names.
What Do OnePlan Home Page Insights Show?
Home Page Insights is the first thing you see when you log in. It flags what needs your attention. That includes overdue tasks and status reports waiting for review.
Refresh Insights after you approve updates. The list will then match the latest plan.
Tip: Check Insights at the start of each week. It is the fastest way to see which updates need a decision.
How Do Admins Set Up Status Updates in OnePlan?
OnePlan admins control status updates from the My Work settings. Go to Setup Mode and click Edit next to My Work.
Two settings shape how updates work:
Status Fields. Pick which fields team members can change. Options include Status %, Due %, and Complete %.
Require Approval. Check this box to send every update to the manager first.
If a team member can't edit a field, check the Status Fields list. The field must be on it before anyone can change it.
Should You Keep Approval On or Off?
Most enterprise and government teams we work with keep approval on. They value checked data over speed. If you keep it on, set a weekly time to review updates. That keeps the queue short.
Moving From Project Online to OnePlan?
If your team uses Project Online, this flow will feel familiar. In Project Web App, team members send task updates. The project manager accepts them on the Approvals page. Only then does the schedule change.
OnePlan keeps that same idea. Your managers still review updates before they reach the plan. That means less retraining and a smoother move.
Microsoft retires Project Online on September 30, 2026. For the full picture, read our Project Online transition guide. It covers what happens to your data and how to plan the move.
Frequently asked questions
What are status updates in OnePlan?
They are progress reports team members send on their tasks. Updates come from My Work, Timesheets, or the Status Update form.
How do I approve status updates in OnePlan?
Open the project and review the prompt, or use the Status Updates panel in the Work Plan. Select the updates and click Accept.
Why does a completed task still show as overdue?
The update is waiting for the manager's review. Once it is accepted, the task closes and leaves the overdue list.
Can I turn off approval in OnePlan?
Yes. An admin can uncheck Require Approval in My Work settings. Updates then go straight to the Work Plan.
Why can't my team edit the Complete % field?
The field may not be on the Status Fields list. An admin can add it in My Work settings.
Get the Most From OnePlan
The right setup helps your team trust its data. Project Made Easy offers OnePlan consulting for enterprise and government teams. We bring 18+ years of experience, 250+ deployments, and 2,000+ project managers trained.
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