New in Q3 for Plaky: React and Reply to Comments, Shift Timelines, and More
In Q3 2024, Plaky rolled out a series of new features designed to boost user productivity.
We introduced the ability to reply and react to comments, as well as shift dates and timelines in bulk, streamlining project adjustments.
On top of that, we launched options to pin fields, keeping them sticky in Table view for easier navigation, as well as add field descriptions for more clarity.
Let’s go through the latest updates in more detail.
Comment replies and reactions
We’re excited to announce our latest feature: comment replies and reactions!
This new functionality enhances communication and collaboration within Plaky, keeping everyone informed and engaged with tasks. Specifically designed for coordinated communication, this feature is a key part of the item card, found within the comments section under each comment.
→ Key benefits
Seamless communication
Comment replies allow for clear, threaded conversations, making it easy to keep track of discussions and updates.
Better engagement
Reactions provide a quick and expressive way to acknowledge, agree with, or express sentiment toward a comment, fostering a more interactive and responsive environment.
Efficient collaboration
With comment replies and reactions, teams can communicate more effectively, reducing the need for lengthy email chains or separate chat tools.
How to add comment replies
To reply to a comment in Plaky:
- Click on Reply under a comment.
- Enter your reply.
- Click Add Reply to complete the action.
Note: A reply to a comment can also be pinned for easy reference.
How to use comment reactions
To react to a comment:
- Click on the emoji icon under a specific comment.
- Select an emoji to complete the action.
To react to existing reactions:
- Click on an emoji that has already been left by another user.
- Hover over the reaction to see who left it.
Note: You can leave multiple emoji reactions on a single comment.
Key use cases
Real-time feedback
Quickly respond to comments with feedback, questions, or additional information, ensuring timely updates and decisions.
Acknowledge contributions
Use reactions to show appreciation or agreement, encouraging active participation and recognition within the team.
Enhanced documentation
Keep a clear record of discussions and decisions directly within the task comments to make it easier to track progress and refer back to important points.
Additionally, if you opt-in to receive notifications, you will get in-app and push notifications each time someone replies or reacts to your comments, ensuring you never miss an update.
Learn more: Reply and react to comments
Shift dates and timelines in bulk
Another new feature that makes managing your projects easier is the ability to shift dates and timelines.
This tool is essential for adjusting your plans when project scope changes, resources are unavailable, or external factors come into play, helping you keep your project schedules realistic and achievable.
Why shifting dates/timelines is important
Projects are dynamic and often subject to unforeseen changes. Whether it's a shift in project scope, unexpected resource restrictions, or external factors beyond your control, the ability to adjust your project timelines in the most effective manner is essential.
Our new feature allows you to seamlessly shift dates and timelines, helping you maintain accurate and realistic project plans.
→ Key benefits
Flexibility
You can easily adapt your project timelines to reflect all kinds of changes and updates in scope.
Accuracy
This feature makes it easier to maintain up-to-date and realistic project plans, aligned with current timelines.
Efficiency
You can save time by applying bulk date shifts and eliminating manual adjustments. Essentially, you can quickly realign multiple timelines with just a few clicks.
Key use cases
Project scope changes
Projects often evolve, and their scope can expand or contract. With the shift dates/timelines feature, you can easily adjust your timelines or due dates to reflect these changes, ensuring that your schedule remains accurate and achievable.
Resource availability
If a key team member is suddenly unavailable or additional resources become available, you can quickly shift the project dates to accommodate these changes, keeping your project on track.
External factors
Sometimes, factors outside of your control, such as market changes or client requests, can impact your project timeline. This feature allows you to adjust your schedule in response to these external influences.
Milestone adjustments
Key milestones are crucial for tracking progress. If a milestone needs to be moved, you can shift the dates to ensure that all project elements stay aligned and on schedule.
Deadline extensions
If a deadline extension is granted, use the shift feature to update your project timeline accordingly, ensuring that all team members are aware of the new deadlines.
How to use the shift dates/timelines feature
Using this feature is simple and intuitive:
- Navigate to the item you need to adjust and click on the date/timeline field.
- A menu will appear. Choose the option to shift the item’s date/timeline.
- Enter the number of days you want to shift the dates by. For Timeline fields, make sure to input the number of days to adjust both the start and end dates.
- Once you’ve entered the necessary adjustments, click Shift to apply the changes.
- A confirmation modal will appear. Click Proceed to finalize and complete the date or timeline shift.
Learn more: Shift dates and timelines
Pin fields
Another novelty is the pin fields feature, which allows you to keep important fields fixed in place as you scroll, ensuring they remain visible and easily accessible.
Each pinned field will follow the last pinned field, keeping key information always in sight.
Note: This feature is available in Table view only.
→ Key benefits
Greater visibility
Keep critical fields in view as you navigate the Table view, making it easier to focus on important data without constantly scrolling.
Improved efficiency
Quickly access frequently used fields without losing your place in Table view, streamlining your workflow and reducing time spent searching for key information.
Customizable layout
Tailor your Table view to highlight the fields that matter most to you, improving your overall data management experience.
How to pin/unpin a field
Using the field name menu:
- Click the downward arrow next to the field name.
- Select Pin/Unpin field from the dropdown menu to complete the action.
Using the fields visibility icon:
- Click the Fields icon to manage field visibility.
- Select the fields you want to display.
- Click the pin/unpin icon next to the fields to pin or unpin them.
Key use cases
Focus on key metrics
Pin fields that track essential metrics to keep them visible whenever necessary and monitor important data at a glance.
Streamline data entry
Keep fields that require frequent updates fixed in Table view to make data entry more efficient and reduce the need to scroll.
Improve reporting
Pin fields that are crucial for reporting purposes, allowing you to quickly generate and review reports without missing important details.
Learn more: Pin fields
Field descriptions
Finally, Plaky users can now also add field descriptions.
This small but significant update allows you to set descriptions for any board field, making it easier for everyone to understand its purpose and how to add values accurately.
→ Key benefits
Clarity
Provide clear instructions and context for each field, reducing confusion and errors.
Consistency
Ensure everyone adds values in a consistent manner, improving data quality.
Efficiency
Save time by eliminating the need for repetitive explanations and reducing the learning curve for new team members.
How to use field descriptions
- Navigate to the board field you want to add a description for.
- Click on the arrow next to the field name.
- From the dropdown menu, select the option to add a field description.
- Enter a clear and concise description explaining the field’s purpose and how to add values.
- Save your changes to ensure the description is visible to all users.
Key use cases
Onboarding
Help new team members quickly understand the purpose of each field and how to use them correctly.
Data entry
Provide guidelines for consistent data entry, ensuring everyone follows the same standards.
Project documentation
Offer context for complex fields, making it easier for team members to understand and use them effectively.
Learn more: Add field descriptions