Slack releases its team's ongoing projects that could further enhance its functionality, in line with the company's tagline, "Be less busy."
This transparency method may reportedly help developers adjust their apps accordingly using the tech of Slack. Likewise, it also aims to inform and even enable users to comment and suggest on additional features the app should offer or improve upon.
Using the Trello platform, an app that most companies also use in performing work functions, Slack details its plans into two boards, the "Platform Roadmap for Developers" and the "App Ideaboard."
Under the first board, Slack lists three main "themes" the company is following: "App Discovery," to aid users in finding apps suitable for their workflow and also "engage" them with currently installed apps; "Interactivity," wherein an initial phase will let developers create buttons within messages to trigger an action; and "Developer Experience," that builds upon the currently available interactions developers have with their users via a personal dashboard and app analytics.
This board contains Slack's specific targets categorized under five sections according to its length of implementation: "Near Term," "Mid Term," "Long Term," "Ongoing Improvements," and "Released." Some of the targets include interactive messages, admin approved apps, streamlined app directory submission process, in-product app discovery, ratings, reviews, and support for more file types, among others.
None of the targets have been listed under "Released," as presumably, these are all works-in-progress.
The latter board, on the other hand, lets users engage with Slack itself and comment on what areas the company could focus on and develop. The board lists all comments Slack has received from its customers which the company hopes will "bridge" the gap between the company and its users.
"Our App Directory debuted in December with 150 apps and now we have over 385. On top of that, those apps are being used by Slack customers - 90 percent of our paid teams on Slack actively use apps. The goal of the Ideaboard is to continue this momentum by creating a bridge between our developer community and our customers' needs," said Slack.
Despite the seemingly impressive "roadmap" Slack has undertaken, the company, however, includes a disclaimer saying that the ideas listed on both boards will not be final and may be dropped at some point. The plans outlined are for "informational purposes only" and will not be a confirmed release for future updates. Slack did not explain why an idea will not push through, but rather likens it to life where "even the best-laid plans get put to rest."
