Slack Case Study by Sarah Tsai https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj en-us 2020-10-14 19:22:29 UTC 2024-10-15 11:09:09 UTC hello@padlet.com Problem Definition sarahytsai https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830028005 2020-10-14 19:25:41 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830028005 Ideas and Designs sarahytsai https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830044490 2020-10-14 19:30:52 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830044490 Target Users: Employees sarahytsai https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830046005 Goals:
- Communicate with other employees, form connections
- Share important documents
- Alerting each other about important dates
- Search for and preserve business communication
- Organize business communication under channels and threads (easier to look through than email) ]]> 2020-10-14 19:31:22 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830046005 Pain Point sarahytsai https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830083539 Difficult to keep track of important information. Not many ways to sort information. Pinned messages + files are only sorted chronologically]]> 2020-10-14 19:44:09 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830083539 Pain Point sarahytsai https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830091375 Bulk of communication on Slack seems to be oriented more towards text. In a remote setting, only using text can be slower, more rigid, and less personable than audio and video.]]> 2020-10-14 19:46:53 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830091375 Pain Point sarahytsai https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830127706 Since the barrier to entry for communication is less than in email, there are more notifications - it can be difficult and overwhelming to keep up with all the noise]]> 2020-10-14 20:00:05 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830127706 Design Idea sarahytsai https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830148761 Problem To Be Solved: Difficulties with sorting information

Create dedicated hashtags/tags for the files when you post them in the chat, to allow for easy filtering of the information. The hashtag categories would show up when you look at the files category on Slack. Allows for quick sorting of previous and future files. 

In the files tab on Slack, you could also quickly edit the available tags and sort the available information.

Faster and more fluid than creating channel folders, and allows for the easy categorization of files within channels. Also suits the current method of uploading files as messages]]> 2020-10-14 20:08:08 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830148761 Design Idea dib4399 https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830160495 Problem To Be Solved: Difficulties keeping up with important events

Add a calendar to the platform so users can see important dates. It's easy to lose important dates in a sea of unrelated messages. A calendar is an easy way to help users stay on track.]]> 2020-10-14 20:12:49 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830160495 Design Idea sarahytsai https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830184728 Problem To Be Solved: Slack is mainly focused on a text oriented space, which can be less personable than audio/video

Create dedicated video/audio channels on Slack for people to jump into and work together. Can function as a coworking space for coworkers to get to know each other from far away

Can help people to put faces/voices to the usernames on the screen, especially in remote working situations. Can also be a more casual and quick space than just text. Also uses the existing channel system]]> 2020-10-14 20:22:59 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830184728 Color code the ideas based off the problems they solve, and make sure the new problems have colors as well. sarahytsai https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830205095 2020-10-14 20:31:50 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830205095 Benefit to Stakeholders dib4399 https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830784607 Employees were Slack's primary audience since its inception as an inhouse company tool.

Now, employees have many different options to choose from when it comes to picking a platform to carry out the daily duties of a job. It's important for Slack to make rapid and significant changes to improve user experience so that the platform doesn't lose its user base to competitors like Teams and Zoom.]]> 2020-10-15 01:53:44 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/830784607 Voice Notes xcolahar https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/833998122 In DMs or other threads, Slack could implement a feature that allows users to send voice notes that can be both easily recorded and listened to.]]> 2020-10-15 21:03:23 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/833998122 Dashboards xcolahar https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834016885 Slack could have an option for (or default to) dashboards for different workspaces and even different threads within a single workspace.
These dashboards could include important info/dates, graphics, attachments, etc.
Below is an example of ServiceNow's dashboard feature.]]> 2020-10-15 21:12:41 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834016885 Problem for NEW users xcolahar https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834031034 New, unfamiliar users may be confused by Slack's lack of a central "starting space" (ex - homepage, dashboard)]]> 2020-10-15 21:19:36 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834031034 "Whiteboard" xcolahar https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834038912 These video/audio channels would be in REAL TIME. This enables the possibility of a "whiteboard" feature, where all users in a channel can draw/write and contribute towards a VISUAL discussion while simultaneously discussing via audio.

Kind of like a shared Google Doc that users can freely draw in too.]]> 2020-10-15 21:23:53 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834038912 Home Page xcolahar https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834100915 Slack could have a central homepage to assist with organization.

Canvas' homepage could be used as an example:
Home > Select a workspace > maybe another w/s homepage.

Instead of showing my courses, Slack could show my workspaces or different "places" within a workspace.]]> 2020-10-15 22:00:18 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834100915 continued... sophiasofalee https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834114525 Some functions in Slack are not necessarily intuitive and users seem to learn new functions by seeing others implement them. This slows down growth and use of new functions. ]]> 2020-10-15 22:09:49 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834114525 Work Setting vs Social Setting sophiasofalee https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834119703 Although Slack was to in some ways replace email, 
doing so removed some personal barriers. While the social weight of responding to memes was small in forwarded emails, Slack has removed some degree of what is appropriate to send. To some users, this can be overwhelming and draining. 

User can also be “on” at all times. With 9 hour workdays being on the app that only includes 90 minutes of actually being active on Slack. 
]]> 2020-10-15 22:13:34 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834119703 Problem for STUDENTS xcolahar https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834120857 Students could have a way of accessing their grades via Slack. This doesn't have to turn Slack into a school-student portal...]]> 2020-10-15 22:14:20 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834120857 "Gradebook" xcolahar https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834129945 This shouldn't be the formal implementation of a gradebook, as this would turn Slack into more of an education platform.

What this could look like is an option for a "bulletin board" to be used in each thread. Grades could be posted on this bulletin board for students to see.

Example: Professor Coulter has DM threads with each of her students (duh, we know). But in these DMs, there could be be a bulletin board that allows Prof. to post grades and allows her student to view them.]]> 2020-10-15 22:20:47 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834129945 DND sophiasofalee https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834142688 Similar to a "Do Not Disturb" function on the iphone. Slack implementing this could lessen the social burn out that some users may experience. ]]> 2020-10-15 22:29:50 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834142688 Activity Summary sophiasofalee https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834146059 A weekly/monthly summary of where the user was the most active on the app (who they interacted with the most, what channels, etc) This might help the user know where to organize their channels and groups more and to differentiate if they are using Slack on a more social or professional level. ]]> 2020-10-15 22:32:30 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834146059 Updates & Functions Page sophiasofalee https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834151375 Slack could create a channel or a message thread that keeps each individual user informed about updates in real time. In addition, they could include tutorial videos. To help new users, they could provide a run down of the functions or even a link to a website that explains all functions. This allows new users to have easy and organized access to functions to facilitate learning. ]]> 2020-10-15 22:36:08 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834151375 Privacy? xcolahar https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834156290 Of course, each bulletin board would be confined to its corresponding DM to ensure privacy between Prof. and student.]]> 2020-10-15 22:39:51 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834156290 Student Privilege?? xcolahar https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834157411 Uh, no. Bulletin board could also be used for other purposes by other types of users.]]> 2020-10-15 22:40:41 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834157411 Pain point ariba_sharif https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834204381 When viewing video lectures, the entire video cannot show unless its enlarged due to the narrow channel messages space. ]]> 2020-10-15 23:15:11 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834204381 Design idea ariba_sharif https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834210199 Problem to be solved: The main space, which is the channel's content, is somewhat narrow, and because of this the scroll bar is small as it encompasses all the content. As the content grows, the scroll bar decreases in size, which makes scrolling more difficult because users will inadvertently jump to other portions of the content. This inhibits positive user experience. 

There is white space below the space to draft messages in. This doesn't need to be completely removed, but the message space can be lowered so that the content space above it has more height. 

]]> 2020-10-15 23:19:12 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834210199 Design idea cont. ariba_sharif https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834256731 The sidebar could also decrease in size so that the main content is space can be enlarged. ]]> 2020-10-15 23:51:55 UTC https://padlet.com/sarahytsai/hlppxzpyxqhlyhmj/wish/834256731