Workgroup Message Viewing in the E-mail Inbox, WebInbox, or TeamInbox

The e-mail inbox, WebInbox, and TeamInbox coordinate workgroup messages between the workgroup manager and workgroup members. If you use an e-mail–based messaging system, the workgroup manager sends workgroup messages from Microsoft Project. Workgroup members receive these messages in their e-mail inboxes and send their replies to the workgroup manager’s e-mail inbox.

In a web-based messaging system, the workgroup manager uses the WebInbox to receive workgroup messages, and workgroup members use the TeamInbox to send and receive messages. The general process is as follows:

The workgroup manager assigns tasks to workgroup members using TeamAssign messages in Microsoft Project.
Using a web browser, a workgroup member logs on to the TeamInbox, receives his or her TeamAssign messages, and accepts or declines the task assignments. A workgroup member can view only the tasks that are assigned to him or her.
If the workgroup manager has assigned tasks for multiple projects to a workgroup member, the TeamInbox organizes the tasks according to each project’s file name.
The workgroup manager uses a password to log on to the WebInbox in Microsoft Project to receive workgroup members’ responses. From these responses, the workgroup manager can update the project schedule.

Because web-based communications systems can’t signal incoming messages, workgroup members need to check their TeamInboxes regularly for new messages. If you’re using both an e-mail–based and a web-based system, however, Microsoft Project can send notification messages to a member’s e-mail inbox whenever the TeamInbox receives workgroup messages.