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Hello, this is Hasshi.
I tried out Slack's newly added "templates" feature and would like to share my impressions and ideas on how to use it. Speaking of Slack, I thought that it was mainly about sharing messages and files, so honestly, my first reaction was, "Templates? What's that?"
However, when I tried it out, I felt that it had more potential than I had imagined, so if you're interested, I highly recommend checking it out.

What are Slack templates?

A new feature for Slack suddenly appeared the other day.
First, let's summarize what a "Slack template" is.

On the official website"Initial setup to bring Canvas, Lists, and Workflow together in one channel to get work done efficiently."This explanation alone may not be very clear, but roughly speaking, it is a system that allows you to easily create the foundation for project and task management. When starting a new project, you can set up all the necessary to-do lists, notes for sharing information, and progress management workflows all at once.

This is a feature that will save a lot of time for people who have had to customize their channels from scratch until now.

My honest impressions after using the Slack template

When I first used it, I was skeptical, thinking, "Maybe it's not quite suitable for business use?", but once I actually started using it, I was able to use the templates intuitively.
There are various types of official templates, such as the "Project Starter Kit" and "Feedback Tracker," which are designed for use by teams.

Just choose a template, customize it a little, and you'll be ready to use.Perfect for when you just want to try it outis.
I was surprised to see that Slack, which is primarily a communication tool, has expanded to include such management functions.
To be honest, there are many features that overlap with Backlog, Notion, and Asana, but I think it's very convenient for Slack users because it can all be done within Slack.

Personal recommended points

Here are some of the things I found particularly useful after using it.

Recommended features of Slack templates

1. Canvas
   You can organize and share information like project plans, meeting minutes, and wikis within Slack. Editing is possible in real time, so everyone can stay up to date with the latest information.
2. list
   You can easily manage the progress of tasks. You can set due dates and assign people to tasks, so I use it as a to-do list for projects. Another great thing about it is that it can all be done within Slack.
3. Workflow
   A feature that allows you to automate routine tasks. For teams with a lot of routine work, utilizing this feature will likely increase efficiency significantly.

You can also create your own Slack templates.

There are official templates available, but you can also register your own customized templates.
If you register templates tailored to each team, when starting a new project, you can complete the initial setup simply by selecting the Slack template, and once you become familiar with it, you will be able to work smoothly.

Benefits of Slack templates

• Fixed an issue where the message field was filled with comments, making it difficult to find the relevant thread.
• You can manage projects by task and see the overall progress at a glance.
• For projects that do not require an advanced management tool like Backlog, managing them using lists is sufficient.
• The person in charge can be easily changed, making management very easy.

Disadvantages of Slack templates

• You will not receive notifications unless you are viewing the list (simply joining the channel will not).
• It's hard to notice notifications.
• Comments are managed in threads, so channels in the sidebar will not be active even if there are new comments.
• Comments are updated as new within the thread, but the channel itself is not active, so there is a high risk of them being overlooked.
• If there are too many threads, the issue may get buried and become less visible.

Let's try using the vacation request form!

We'll show you how to create a time-off request flow using Slack's "Time-off Request Form" template.
Templates seem useful, but some people may wonder how to use them.

But don't worry! It's very easy. I'll explain each step carefully, so let's go through it together!

Step 1: Add a template to your channel

Start by adding a template to an existing Slack channel.
Let's set it up using the steps below!

1. Join the channel

When you open a channel, you will see a row of tabs at the top of the screen. Click the "+" sign to the right of the tab.

2. Select a template

Select "Try a template" from the menu that appears, then click "See more templates." A modal (pop-up screen) will appear. Select "Show all templates," and a list of hidden templates will be displayed!

3. Select "Process Time Off Request"

Select "Show all templates" from the list.

Select "Process Time Off Requests" from the list.

A demo screen will appear on the right, allowing you to see what templates are included.
This template contains four items:

• Canvas: Provide details of the "Request Procedure"

• listManage your progress with the "Time Off Request Tracker"

• Workflow：
  • Vacation request form
  • "Item status notification"

Canvas + List + WorkflowIt's a very convenient set!

4. Add a template to a channel

Click "Next" to proceed to the confirmation screen. Finally, click the "Add to Channel" button to apply the template to your channel.

This process takes about 30 seconds to a minute!

5. Confirm the addition completion message
   

   You'll receive a message from Slack once the template has been added to your channel. Click the link to get started!

Step 2: Launch the Time Off Request Form

Next, let's actually use the "Time Off Request Form"! There are two ways to do this:

This time,Start a workflow from CanvasLet's try it!

1. Select a workflow in Canvas

   Click on the "Vacation Request Form" workflow in Canvas.

2. Select a channel

   When you start the workflow, a screen will appear where you can select the channel to apply to. Here, select "pj-slack_template_demo" as an example.

3. Enter your application details

   A form will pop up, fill it out:

   • Request Type(e.g. paid leave, sick leave, etc.)
   • Start and end dates
   • Approver's name
   • Remarks(Enter additional information as needed)

   Supplementary explanations are displayed in the drop-down menu, making it easy to understand!

4. Submit the form

   Once you've filled out the necessary information, click "Submit" and your time-off request will proceed to the approval flow.

Step 3: Approval process flow

Once you submit the form, a message like this will be posted to the channel:

Hello, "Responsible Person".
"Requester" has submitted a new vacation request: <https://liberogic.slack.com/lists/＊＊＊＊＊/>. Please check the following:

Click the link in this message to approve the request.

Everything is done within Slack, so there's no need to use email or other tools!

Step 4: Track your progress with lists

The requested item islistIt will be automatically saved to.
When the approver changes the status, the status, such as "approved" or "not approved," is shared with everyone.

Now the whole team can see at a glance who is taking time off and when! This also opens up communication and makes it easier to follow up on employees during their vacation!

Summary: Streamline your work with Slack templates!

The "Vacation Request Form" template we introduced this time is a powerful template that combines Canvas, lists, and workflows.
It's easy to implement and the fact that everything can be done within Slack is a major attraction. Please give it a try with your team!

However, it currently does not have as many features as issue management tools such as Backlog or Asana, as it does not have an archive function for lists. However, it might be a good idea to start by creating small, convenient features such as this "vacation request form" and then work your way through it!