public folder task assignment

Create the public folder like any other Exchange folder, and indicate that the folder contains Tasks by using the drop down menu. By default, anyone who can view public folders will be able to view, create, and read the items in it and to modify and delete the items they create.

You can add permissions to control who can do what in the folder. Right click on the folder, select properties, and go to the Permissions tab.

I don?t know if there is an updated version, but I have found ?Mastering Microsoft Outlook 98? by Gini Courter and Annette Marquis (ISBN 0-7821-2276-0) to be an excellent resource. I still refer to it even though I use Outlook 2000 now. Some of the suggested links are no longer active, but most of the features and functions are valid.

Here is what I am trying to achieve; Any member manager should be able to assign and view tasks to our IT department. Any member of the IT department should be able to take ownwership of any of the tasks which ar ethen added to their personal to do list. This way, everyone knows what tasks are outstanding and who is reponsible for them. Currently tasks are assigned directly to IT dept members but unfortunately as the skill sets differ, the end user rarely assigns the task to an appropiate person, also this only allows the assigner to see tasks which he/she has assigned.

Outlook does allow collaboration of calendars, journals, and contacts. Building a trouble ticketing system for you is beyond the 1930 character limit here, but this is the basic approach.
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Select the Public folder area in Outlook
Create the folder
File/Share/Tasks - opens a Wizard
Member list - adds members to the shared task folder
Permissions - sets level of access by member
Description -
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Create the task
Tools/Form/Design a Form/Standard Forms Library/Task - opens a task formto modify
(Actions) tab
Reply to folder enabled Yes
Double click and complete properties box. Suggest "When Responding" property be set to include original text.

Reply, Reply to All, Forward enabled No
This will prevent email notifications.Leave as Yes if you prefer.

Customize other areas of the form as appropriate to your environment.
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Contact me via ken.hilving@schooleymitchell.com if you want to engage me for this project. Otherwise, best of luck as explore the additional capabilities in Outlook and Exchange. If doing it yourself, take the time to define all your requirements and resources before beginning. Get user input as well as IT staff and management input.

With a little effort and knowledge, you will be able to have the tasks viewable and updatable in the public folder, and even link it to a scheduling calendar.

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