Internal communicators are constantly asked to do more with less — more engagement, more visibility, more impact — all while navigating shrinking budgets and fragmented tools. One of the most promising developments in Microsoft 365 for comms professionals is the Communications Dashboard in Viva Engage.
This long-requested feature gives internal comms teams a single pane of glass to manage campaigns, monitor engagement, and support leadership visibility — all from within Microsoft Teams. It’s a practical, data-driven tool that helps communicators move from reactive messaging to strategic planning.
What Is the Communications Dashboard?
The Communications Dashboard is a central hub designed specifically for internal communicators. It’s part of Viva Engage and is available through the Microsoft Viva Communications & Communities licence.
Rather than relying on scattered metrics across different platforms, the dashboard brings everything together in one place. It’s built into Teams, so it’s easy to access and doesn’t require another app or login.
Key Features That Make It Useful
Comms Activity Insights
Track reach, engagement, and campaign performance across the network and at a personal level. See how many people viewed, reacted to, or commented on posts — and how that compares across different audiences.
Leaders & Audiences Tab
Manage delegate posting, audience targeting, and leadership visibility. This is especially useful for supporting senior leaders who want to be more visible but don’t have time to manage their own posts.
Advanced Moderation Tools
AI-powered keyword and theme tracking helps monitor sentiment and flag potential risks. It’s a way to stay ahead of emerging issues and respond quickly.
Network Analytics
Go beyond individual posts to see broader trends. Understand which topics are gaining traction, where engagement is dropping off, and what the overall sentiment looks like.
How Internal Comms Teams Are Using It
The dashboard is already proving its value in real-world scenarios:
Campaign Planning
Before launching a new initiative, teams can review past campaign data to see what worked. Timing, format, tone — it’s all there. This helps build smarter campaigns from the start.
Leadership Engagement
Delegate posting and AMA events make it easier for leaders to connect with employees. The dashboard shows how those posts are performing, helping teams adjust strategy and support leadership more effectively.
Crisis Comms
In fast-moving situations, the dashboard helps assess how messages are being received and whether they’re reaching the right people. Sentiment analysis adds an extra layer of insight.
Reporting with Confidence
Whether reporting to HR, IT, or the C-suite, the dashboard gives you the data to show impact. It’s not just about saying “we did a campaign” — it’s about showing what it achieved.
Where the Licence Comes In
The Communications Dashboard is available to organisations using Microsoft 365 Enterprise plans, offering access to core features like campaign insights and keyword-based moderation.
However, to unlock its full potential — including AI-powered theme detection, leadership visibility tools, and the Leaders & Audiences tab — teams will need the Engage Premium licence, included in the Viva Communications & Communities bundle. For internal comms teams ready to go further, this bundle builds on SharePoint and the free Viva tools to create an all-in-one communications toolkit within Microsoft 365 — without the need for third-party platforms.
For a deeper dive into the Communications & Communities bundle and how it supports internal comms teams, take a look at our previous blog post.
Communications Dashboard – Basic
Communications Dashboard – Premium
Final Word
The Communications Dashboard gives internal communicators the visibility, insight, and control they’ve been asking for. It’s a practical addition to any comms strategy and a strong reason to include the Communications & Communities licence in your next budget.
An Internal Communicator’s Guide to Microsoft Viva
Deep dive into the Communications & Communities bundle and explore how Viva Engage, Viva Connections and Viva Amplify can help you build a connected, engaged workforce.
Additional FAQs
What is the Microsoft Viva Communications Dashboard and why should internal comms teams use it?
The Microsoft Viva Communications Dashboard is a centralised hub within Viva Engage, designed specifically for internal communications teams. It consolidates campaign metrics, engagement insights, and leadership visibility tools into one accessible interface inside Microsoft Teams. This means no more juggling multiple platforms or fragmented data. Teams can track reach, sentiment, and performance in real time, making it easier to plan strategically and respond quickly.
At Silicon Reef, we’ve seen how this dashboard transforms reactive comms into proactive planning. It’s especially powerful for supporting leadership visibility and managing crisis communications. For any team looking to elevate their internal messaging, it’s a game-changer.
How does the Communications Dashboard help with leadership visibility?
The dashboard’s Leaders & Audiences tab allows comms teams to manage delegate posting and audience targeting, making it easier for senior leaders to maintain a visible presence without needing to post themselves. This is ideal for time-poor executives who still want to connect meaningfully with employees.
Silicon Reef has found this feature particularly effective during AMA events and leadership campaigns, where visibility and engagement are key. By tracking how leadership posts perform, teams can refine their approach and ensure messages land well. It’s a smart way to bridge the gap between leadership and the wider organisation.
What kind of data and insights can internal comms teams get from the dashboard?
The dashboard offers detailed analytics on post reach, engagement, sentiment, and campaign performance. Teams can see who’s viewing, reacting, or commenting — and compare across audiences. It also includes AI-powered keyword and theme tracking, helping spot emerging trends or risks early.
At Silicon Reef, we recommend using these insights to shape campaign timing, tone, and format, leading to stronger outcomes. The ability to report confidently to stakeholders — with real data — is a major win. It’s not just about activity; it’s about impact, and the dashboard makes that visible.
Do you need a premium licence to access all features of the Communications Dashboard?
Yes, while the dashboard is available to Microsoft 365 Enterprise users, full functionality requires the Engage Premium licence, part of the Viva Communications & Communities bundle. This unlocks advanced features like AI theme detection, leadership tools, and the Leaders & Audiences tab.
Silicon Reef recommends this bundle for teams serious about internal comms. It builds on SharePoint and free Viva tools to create a unified, powerful toolkit — all within Microsoft 365. No need for third-party platforms, which simplifies governance and improves user adoption.
How are real teams using the Communications Dashboard in practice?
The Communications Dashboard is a relatively new feature, so usage is still evolving. Early reports suggest teams are using the dashboard for campaign planning, leadership engagement, crisis comms, and performance reporting. Before launching new initiatives, they review past data to optimise timing and tone. During fast-moving events, sentiment analysis helps gauge response and adjust messaging.
At Silicon Reef, we expect to see clients use it to support leadership AMA sessions and report confidently to HR and IT. The dashboard is a strategic asset that helps comms teams work smarter, not harder, and brings clarity, control, and confidence to internal communications.
