ID Communication Channels
Best Practices
Some communications platforms are best for certain communications. Understanding where to communicate can help reduce workflow and workday interruptions.
Communications Overview
Slack
Slack streamlines communication and collaboration, keeping our web development team aligned and efficient, while adhering to our policies and best practices.
Using Slack
Tiny Tasks
Tiny tasks are any task that takes about 4 hours or less to onboard and accomplish for those available to help. Learn about the Tiny Task process.
Delegate & Help Out
Microsoft Teams
There may be times where you need to interact with someone either in another department or in BU IS&T and they might not have Slack. This is when Teams will likely be your go-to for correspondence. Everyone with a BU kerberos email address has access to the universities Microsoft Teams app and respective workplace domain.
GitHub Projects & Issues
Development discussion for executing a deliverable depends on urgency. GitHub is the default.
The go-to for documenting development needs, decisions, and next steps should always be in the relevant GitHub project and issue you and your team are assigned to.
If collaborating on an urgent conversation in realtime that requires articulation: an agreed-to private slack DM between Lead Designer, WordPress Developer and [optional] Creative Director is reasonably permitted.
Additional Department Specifics & Situations
Outlook Email Signatures
[All department email signatures should follow a consistent formatting.]
Vacation Time, Time Off
If you’re taking time off: you need to block out the days and/or hours that you need to be out.
- It starts with a Slack request to your project manager to let them know you need the time off. So they can make necessary updates to the project schedule. Next, you need to let your assigned supervisor know.
- Log into BU Works and put in the time requests. A day of work is 8 hours.
- Create the necessary events in your calendar for the times you’ll be out. When you create the event, be sure to invite
mcvaccal@bu.edu.
- Finally, in the #ask-a-pm Slack channel, using the
@pms tag, inform of the time you’ll be out either as soon as you’ve completed the above — or at least 2 weeks ahead of the time you’ll be out.
- On, or just before the day you are going to be out, post a slack message in the #attendance Slack channel to remind your teammates, managers and project leads of your absence.
With vacation time on the horizon: be sure to set your Slack status and Out of Office email auto-response appropriately.
Sick Time
It happens: sometimes you’re not feeling well and need to take necessary time to rest up. We encourage you to rest if you’re sick. Remember to value your wellbeing!
In this case, inform your assigned supervisor via a Slack DM. In the event you’re falling sick close to project due dates, also inform your relevant Project Managers, or project Account Executive (if the Project Manager happens to be out).
Upon their acknowledgement: mention that you’ll be out sick in the #attendance channel so that any meetings can pivot accordingly.
Finally, put in the time off request in BU Works and add the event to your Outlook calendar.