Trello updates include link cards, multiple viewing formats to improve collaborative experience
Popular project management tool Trello has been a go-to for student media programs because of its ability to track task completion. During this school year in particular, the app helps simplify remote production and collaboration among staffers spread across multiple locations, such as those operating in a hybrid model or distance learning environment. And with the latest — huge — update, Trello just got better.
First up, link cards.
Using a URL as a card’s title, users can connect different external tools and platforms, which may help eliminate those 57 open tabs.
The Google Docs Link card, for example, lets users preview the doc and edit the copy from the front of a card. Another biggie is the ability to copy and paste from a Loom tutorial and it will autoplay on the card, which is great for how-to videos, mini lessons or quick critiques. The YouTube Link card plays a video from the front of the card, too. According to Trello, this feature works for more than 30 apps including Adobe XD, Calendly.com, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Giphy.
Another huge change is the look overall and the option to choose from four types of views. The new visual format has four basic options:
• Timeline
• Table
• Dashboard
• Calendar
Not only does this help staffers align the view to their learning style or position on staff (such as a managing editor using the calendar to focus on deadlines), but it also enables the entire team to track projects and communicate differently depending on the task, how soon the deadline is approaching or how many parts and pieces it has.
Some of the new features are available only in the Business or Enterprise models, so keep that in mind. (Here’s an idea: If your school/district received any type of funding to accommodate COVID-19 changes such as remote instruction or curriculum adaptations, you may be able to use that financial support to upgrade your account.)
If you haven’t taken Trello for a spin with your student media staff, this post might be helpful for its application to a hybrid model. Or editors can dig in to past JEA Digital Media posts about Slack, ClickUp and Basecamp to compare. After all, it’s just about time for next year’s team to start making plans.
