When configuring a Microsoft Teams environment, what critical factor determines whether to utilize a Private channel versus a Shared channel?

The critical factor determining whether to utilize a Private channel versus a Shared channel in Microsoft Teams is the desired level of access and membership management relative to the parent Team. A Private channel is designed for focused collaboration among a subset of Team members requiring confidential discussions or access to specific content isolated from the rest of the Team. Only users explicitly added as members of the Private channel can participate and view its content; the channel is not visible to non-members within the Team. A Shared channel, on the other hand, allows collaboration with individuals both inside and outside the Team and even the organization, without granting them access to the entire Team. Users from other Teams or organizations can be added to a Shared channel without becoming members of the host Team, allowing for broader collaboration on specific topics or projects. The decision hinges on whether the goal is to restrict access within the existing Team (Private channel) or to extend collaboration beyond the Team's boundaries (Shared channel), ensuring appropriate data governance and security.