5 Ways Effective Teams Run Daily Slack Standups

The massive popularity of Slack has turned daily Slack standup meetings into a must for teams who use the tool as their primary synchronous or asynchronous communication platform. It sounds easy enough, everyone gets on and updates Slack once a day to let the team know what they are working on. But, if you’ve done this for a long time, you know that it’s not always that simple.

1. Set a Clear Agenda

Before each standup, establish a clear agenda. It should involve each team member answering the following questions:

• What did I accomplish yesterday?
• What will I work on today?
• Are there any blockers in my way?

2. Keep It Short and Focused

The essence of a standup is brevity. Aim to keep the meeting at 15 minutes or less. This encourages participants to be concise and focused, thus maintaining momentum and engagement.

3. Use a Timer

A useful tactic is using a timer to keep track of time. This guarantees everyone has an equal opportunity to speak and helps in keeping the meeting within the designated time limit.

4. Rotate Facilitators

Developing leadership skills within the team can be aided by rotating the facilitator role. This ensures everyone stays engaged and provides different perspectives on running the standup effectively.

5. Follow Up on Action Items

After the standup, take the time to follow up on any action items or blockers mentioned. This reiterates the accountability amongst team members and ensures that issues are resolved in a timely manner.