Forums
What's your favorite productivity tool for teams?
Running a team has shown me firsthand how the right tools can make all the difference in collaboration and productivity. While Jira with the Planyway plugin that we re developing is obviously close to my heart (and we use it every day!), I'm genuinely curious about what productivity tools you and your team can't live without. I've created a quick poll to gather your insights:) Beyond just the tools, I'm really interested in the productivity challenges you're facing with your teams. Whether it's coordinating across different time zones, keeping everyone aligned on project goals, or managing the balance between meetings and deep work let's talk about it!
Top 7 Project Management Hacks for Streamlining Your Team’s Workflow
Whether you re leading a remote team or organizing in-office projects, these tips will help you manage tasks more effectively, reduce stress, and keep everyone focused. 1. Structure Tasks by Goals and Phases
Breaking down projects into phases with clear goals can dramatically improve productivity and morale. By mapping tasks to specific project phases, everyone can see how their work fits into the big picture, creating a sense of ownership and progress. Hack Tip: Kanban-style boards can make it easier for team members to visualize the stages of tasks, helping them understand where each item stands and what needs to happen next. 2. Indicate Priorities
Not all tasks are created equal, and prioritizing them is crucial to avoid bottlenecks. Labeling tasks by priority level (e.g., "Urgent," "Important," "Low Priority") helps team members know where to focus first, preventing overwhelm and encouraging steady progress on essential items. 3. Prioritize Transparency with a Shared Project Roadmap
A shared roadmap gives everyone a bird s-eye view of the project, helping to manage expectations and track key milestones. When each team member has visibility into what s happening and what s ahead, they re better equipped to coordinate with one another and avoid overlaps. Hack Tip: Planyway is designed with visual transparency in mind, offering an intuitive roadmap that s perfect for keeping your team aligned and informed. 4. Optimize Your Calendar and Schedule Views
Integrated scheduling can be transformative for organizing personal and team tasks alike. Choose a tool that lets you view tasks within calendar formats, so that you can anticipate busy days and align your availability with project demands. Hack Tip: set up calendar blocks for high-focus times. Encourage team members to do the same and respect each other s time blocks to maintain productivity. 5. Keep Tabs on Progress with Regular Check-Ins
Frequent check-ins keep projects on track and help identify potential blockers early. However, they don t have to be time-consuming. Quick weekly sync-ups or async updates can be just as effective and less disruptive to the team s workflow. Hack Tip: use a combination of short stand-ups and async status updates in tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams. This helps you maintain momentum and gives your team the flexibility to check in on their own time. 6. Get Comfortable with Performance Metrics
Performance metrics provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of your team s workflow. Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) that align with your project goals, whether it s task completion time, client satisfaction, or budget adherence. Regularly reviewing these metrics allows you to make data-driven improvements. Hack Tip: set up dashboards for visualizing your KPIs. Many project management tools integrate directly with analytics platforms, making it easy to see where things are going well and where there s room for improvement. 7. Conduct Retrospectives to Continuously Improve
A regular retrospective session (often at the end of a project phase or sprint) allows your team to reflect on what went well and what could be improved. Retrospectives encourage open communication and give everyone a voice in refining processes and workflows. Hack Tip: keep retrospectives concise by focusing on three main questions: What went well? , What didn t go well? , and What can we improve? Documenting these insights allows you to track progress over time. Got any other hacks to share with fellow makers? Drop them in the comments below!
Task Prioritization: Methods that Really Work +Quiz
Ever feel like your to-do list has turned into a chaotic mountain of tasks? You re not alone! Prioritizing can be challenging, especially when every task feels equally important. I've listed three of my favorite below. Plus, stick around for a quiz at the end to help you pick the method that suits you best! 1. The Eisenhower Matrix
A favorite for many, the Eisenhower Matrix helps you categorize tasks into four quadrants: Urgent and Important: Do these now.
Important, but Not Urgent: Schedule these.
Urgent, but Not Important: Delegate if possible.
Neither Urgent nor Important: Consider dropping these. 2. MoSCoW Prioritization
The MoSCoW method focuses on categorizing tasks by priority: Must-haves: Absolutely essential tasks.
Should-haves: Important but not critical.
Could-haves: Nice to include if time allows.
Won't-haves: Skip for now. 3. ABC Analysis
This method is great for productivity junkies! Sort tasks into: A: High-priority tasks with the highest impact.
B: Medium-priority tasks that need attention but aren t game-changers.
C: Low-priority tasks that can wait. Quiz Time! Which Prioritization Method is Right for You?
Answer these quick questions: Do you prefer having a visual approach to your tasks? Yes -> Eisenhower Matrix
No -> Try MoSCoW Do you have a lot of strict deadlines?
Yes -> ABC Analysis
No -> MoSCoW Are you juggling between urgent and non-urgent tasks daily?
Yes -> Eisenhower Matrix
No -> ABC Analysis
What’s the one feature that took your product to the next level?
Every product has that one feature maybe it was unexpected, or maybe you planned it from the start but once it was in place, it made all the difference! Whether it brought new users, solved a big pain point, or just made your product stand out, we'd love to know: What was your game-changing feature, and what impact did it have?
How do you achieve team alignment in projects?
Hey, Makers! We ve all been there: you re pumped about a new project, have a crystal-clear vision, and then roadblocks. Not because of tech or tools, but because getting everyone on the same page feels like pulling teeth. Team alignment can make or break a project s success. So, let's talk about how you, as a maker, can nail down alignment, set everyone up for success, and actually enjoy the process! Here s how to make that happen (and avoid the chaos)! 1. Start with Why Define the Purpose Together
It might sound obvious, but when teams start a project without clearly understanding the why, misalignment is just around the corner. Kick things off by gathering the team to clarify the project s purpose and why it matters to the company and to customers. Encourage everyone to voice what they think and expect you'll be surprised how this exercise uncovers insights and sets a solid foundation for alignment. 2. Set Clear Goals and Prioritize Together
Once the team s on board with the purpose, it s time to turn it into actionable goals. Set specific, measurable goals, and make sure each team member understands their role in achieving them. This is also the moment to agree on priorities so everyone s energy goes into what matters most. 3. Define Roles and Ownership
Ambiguity about who owns what can lead to dropped balls, duplicated work, and frustration. Make roles explicit! Go around the table and clarify who s doing what, and if possible, give each person ownership of a specific area. Ownership isn t just about who does what ; it s about empowering team members to make decisions and feel responsible for their part of the puzzle. 4. Hold Regular Check-ins Keep It Short and Sweet
Alignment isn t a one-and-done deal. It s easy for teams to lose focus as the project unfolds. Schedule quick, regular check-ins to ensure everyone s still in sync and aligned with the original goals. These meetings should be quick (we re talking 10 15 minutes) and focused on project updates and roadblocks. Skip the minutiae; focus on the bigger picture. Maker Insight: Some teams swear by stand-up meetings; others prefer async updates. Experiment to find what works best for your crew. 5. Foster Open Communication
Open, honest communication is the backbone of a well-aligned team. Create a safe environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts, asking questions, and addressing concerns. Team alignment gets shaky when team members hold back. So encourage candid conversations and set an example by being open yourself. 6. Reflect, Learn, and Adjust
After every milestone (or roadblock), take time to reflect with the team. What went well? What didn t? What needs tweaking? Reviewing and iterating on the team s approach to alignment can only make things smoother. And hey, celebrate the wins big or small to keep morale high! Ready to Align? Let s Hear from You! What s the #1 thing that helps your team stay aligned in projects?
As a maker, where do you turn to for fresh ideas and inspiration?
Share in the comments how you keep your ideas flowing. What s your secret for staying inspired, even on tough days?
Ask me anything with the CEO of Planyway, a project management tool with 700 000 users worldwide.
Hey, Product Hunt Makers! I m Sergey, the CEO of Planyway the project management tool that brings your work and calendar together, helping teams stay effortlessly in sync within Jira and Trello. We started with a simple idea to make planning less chaotic, and now here we are, helping over 700,000 users around the world from project managers and product owners to designers, developers, and marketers tackle their toughest projects. I d love to share our journey and hear about yours! I m here to answer any questions you ve got about building Planyway, scaling from idea to reality, team collaboration, balancing priorities, or any topic that you find interesting. Let s chat! Drop your questions below, and I can t wait to dive into the conversation with you all.
If you could only use one tool for managing projects and tasks, which one would you choose and why?
Would it be a classic like Trello or Asana, or do you have a hidden gem you rely on? Let s hear your favorite and what makes it stand out.
Help Planyway Evolve Workload Management!
Hey, Makers! We re excited to share a sneak peek into Planyway roadmap. We re prioritizing workload management improvements to help users balance resources, avoid burnout, and create a more productive, engaged team. I'd appreciate your input! Everyone's pain points around resource management are a bit different, and I d love to hear about yours. What s your biggest resource management pain point?
Managing Remote Teams: What’s Your Secret Sauce?
Remote work is here to stay, and managing remote teams has become both an art and a science. From time zone juggling to building team culture, it s no walk in the park. Here are my top 3 not-so-obvious tips for managing remote teams:
1 Fewer, but better meetings: instead of frequent check-ins, schedule fewer but more intentional meetings. Use async updates (video or chat) to keep everyone in the loop without disrupting their flow.
2 Focus on outcome over hours: encourage your team to focus on delivering results rather than clocking hours. 3 Recreate the watercooler moments: remote teams often miss casual bonding. Use Slack channels, virtual coffee breaks, or even team gaming sessions to bring those organic interactions to life. I m curious: What s your biggest challenge when managing a remote team? And more importantly, how do you overcome it?
What’s one thing you wish someone told you before launching your first product?
What advice do you wish you had at the beginning? Let s help new makers avoid common pitfalls.
What's the role of visual planning in team success?
Time is scarce, priorities shift daily, and team alignment can sometimes feel like herding cats. Yet, there s one secret weapon many successful teams swear by: visual planning. Why? Because humans are inherently visual creatures. Our brains process visuals 60,000 times faster than text, which means a well-organized visual plan can instantly make your goals, tasks, and bottlenecks crystal clear. But what does visual planning really do for teams? What Is Visual Planning?
Think of visual planning as a map for your team's goals. It's about using tools like boards, timelines, or Gantt charts to display tasks, deadlines, and workflows in an intuitive, easy-to-grasp way. Unlike traditional to-do lists or wordy briefs, visual plans let you see: -Who s doing what.
-What s overdue.
-What s next in the pipeline. It s the difference between staring at a list of tasks and seeing a full roadmap where everything just makes sense. Why Visual Planning Drives Success
1. Better Team Alignment
Ever been in a meeting where everyone thought they were on the same page... until deadlines arrived? Visual planning eliminates ambiguity by showing the big picture and the tiny details, keeping everyone accountable. 2. Clear Prioritization
The Eisenhower Matrix is great on paper, but in practice? A drag-and-drop timeline works wonders for deciding what to tackle first. 3. Faster Problem-Solving
Got a bottleneck? Visual plans highlight delays and capacity issues before they derail your project. 4. Motivation Through Progress Tracking
There s something deeply satisfying about moving a task from In Progress to Done. It s the dopamine hit your team deserves! The Tools That Make It Happen
There s no shortage of visual planning tools, but not all are created equal. A few of my favorites: -Planyway for Jira/Trello (yes, shameless plug it s a lifesaver for teams managing complex projects with flexible timeline, calendar and even time tracking).
-Miro for brainstorming workflows. Here is the story of a marketing agency who switched to visual planning:
We're a team of 10. Our tasks were scattered across Google Docs, email chains, and Slack messages. Chaos, right? We introduced a visual planning tool (Planyway users), and within two weeks: -We reduced missed deadlines by 80%.
-Our daily stand-ups shrank from 30 minutes to 10.
-Team satisfaction jumped (because no one likes searching for that one email). Now, I want to hear your thoughts: Do you use visual planning in your team?
What s the biggest challenge it solved for you?
Or what s holding you back from trying it?
Drop your insights in the comments. Let s make this a thread buzzing with tips, experiences, and lessons learned. And if you found this helpful, don t forget to upvote!
Behind the Scenes: 10 User Interview Lessons That Shaped Planyway – Tips for Makers
Hey Product Hunt friends! We re just a few days away from our Planyway launch on Monday, and I wanted to share some of the most valuable lessons we ve learned through user interviews. These conversations were the cornerstone of our product development and taught us so much about building something people genuinely need. Here are 10 actionable tips that can help you get the most out of user interviews: 1. Start with their story. Ask about their day-to-day work before diving into your product. This provides context and helps uncover pain points you might miss otherwise. 2. Avoid leading questions. Instead of asking, Would you use a tool like this? try How do you currently solve this problem? It s more authentic and reveals their true habits. 3. Don t jump to solutions. Focus on understanding the problem fully before discussing potential fixes. This ensures you re solving the right problem. 4. Silence is powerful. After asking a question, let them think and respond fully. Avoid filling the silence it s often where the best insights come from. 5. Watch for emotion. Pay attention to when users get frustrated, excited, or passionate. These moments often highlight their biggest challenges or desires. 6. Talk to skeptics. Not everyone will love your idea and that s okay. Skeptical users can offer some of the most constructive feedback if you re open to it. 7. Use why repeatedly. Dig deeper by asking why several times to uncover root causes behind behaviors or pain points. 8. Test assumptions. Go into interviews with hypotheses, but be ready to let them go if users prove them wrong. Flexibility is key. 9. Focus on outcomes, not features. Ask users what success looks like for them. This helps you design for impact, not just functionality. 10. Summarize and confirm. At the end of the interview, recap what you heard and ask if you got it right. It shows respect and ensures you understand their needs accurately. Now, I d love to hear your thoughts: What s your go-to strategy for learning from users? Let s swap insights and help each other build amazing products! And if you re curious about how we put this into action, check out our upcoming launch page and hit Notify Me to join us on launch day. https://www.producthunt.com/prod...
🎉We just launched Planyway for Jira 2.0!
We re finally live! Million thanks for all your tips and insights. Your support today is SUPER important! If you like what we do, please share your thoughts in the comments we re here for all the feedback and questions.
Planyway - Google Calendar inside your Trello
Planyway is a powerful calendar and timeline that lives inside your Trello.
Visually manage your and your team schedule. Connect it with Google Calendar, Outlook, Apple Calendar etc.
Planyway for Jira 2.0 - Roadmap, capacity, calendar, time tracking & reports
Planyway is your all-in-one Jira extension that streamlines resource management, project planning, portfolio tracking, time tracking, and reporting. Simplify your workflow and replace dozens of narrow-purpose tools with one powerful solution!
Happy to get back with the new app!
Hey there, Product Hunt community! I'm Sergey, the CEO of Planyway, and I'm thrilled to reconnect with all you fantastic makers and innovators. Some of you might remember when we launched Planyway for Trello thanks to your incredible support, we reached Product of the Day! That was an unforgettable milestone for us, and it's all because of this amazing community. Since then, we've been hard at work on something new. In addition to our plugin for Trello, we've developed Planyway for Jira, and now we're excited to introduce Planyway for Jira 2.0! We noticed that many teams, including ours, use Jira for more complex project management needs. We wanted to bring the same visual clarity and ease of use you loved in our Trello plugin to the Jira ecosystem. Having spent years in IT and project management myself, I know firsthand how chaotic juggling multiple projects, teams, and deadlines can be. That's why we've made lots of improvements in this new version like enhanced workload management and time tracking to help you stay on top of everything. What's New and Awesome in Planyway for Jira 2.0: Project Portfolio: See all your projects laid out in one clear, intuitive timeline. Team Workload View. Instantly spot who's swamped and who might have some bandwidth. Team Calendar. Keep everyone in the loop with shared events and deadlines. Because surprises are great for birthdays, not project timelines. Time Tracking. Effortlessly log hours and understand where the team's time is going. Advanced Reports. Dive deep into insights, track progress, and make data-driven decisions that propel your projects forward. I'm here because I believe that the best products are built with the community, not just for it. Your insights, ideas, and even your critiques have been the driving force behind Planyway's evolution. So please, don't be shy share your thoughts! What do you love? What could we do better? Any features you'd be excited to see down the road? Join Us for the Launch! We're gearing up for our launch, and we'd love to have you with us on this exciting journey. Please subscribe to our Coming Soon page to stay updated and be among the first to try out Planyway for Jira 2.0. Your support means the world to us, and we truly appreciate having you by our side during the launch. Subscribe to our Coming Soon page: https://www.producthunt.com/prod... With gratitude,
Sergey
What are your thoughts on cursor – is it the right tool for startups?
Cursor is getting a lot of buzz, but after trying it out, I found it s not for everyone. Without a technical background, it s tough to know how to debug all that code. From this angle, I d still go with a no-code app builder. Has anyone started using Cursor in their business?


