DD# 58 – Platform Change is Inevitable
Welcome to the 58th edition of the Digital Directive!
As we navigate the digital realm, platforms like monday are constantly throwing us curveballs with their innovative changes. But fear not, for every change brings an opportunity, a fresh perspective, and a chance to refine our methods.
Automations and integrations are pivotal in creating streamlined and efficient workflows. But, like any software tool, changes are inevitable. The trick lies in ensuring that these adjustments enhance, rather than disrupt, our processes. This edition sheds light on the “new automation dynamics,” offers strategies for seamless transitions during feature updates, and provides a sneak peek into innovative ways to uplift your productivity.
Let’s dive into the ever-evolving world of monday and ensure that we’re not just keeping pace but setting the pace! 🚀
Adapting to New Automation Dynamics
If you’ve dabbled in or heavily relied on item creation automations, this section demands your undivided attention.
In the past, item creation automations in monday operated in a peculiar staggered sequence. You’d create an item, and other essential attributes like status label, assignee, or date would follow in quick succession, but not instantly. Imagine lighting a quick fuse; the explosion (or, in this case, column update) would ensue almost immediately but not at the very second of ignition.
Now, monday has supercharged this mechanism. The new adaptation ensures that as soon as an item materializes, all its column values are set in that very instant. It’s like magic – but for workflows! While promising in enhancing efficiency, this change might mean some recalibrations on your end, especially if you had subsequent automations tied to these value changes.
So, what’s the workaround? If you’ve previously set automations to activate based on column value alterations post-item creation, consider introducing a recipe containing an “and” condition. This minor tweak ensures your system recognizes the freshly crafted item with its predetermined column value and proceeds with the next steps in your automated dance.
The bottom line? It’s a time of change, adaptation, and even more streamlined operations. As always, we’re here to help you navigate these shifts, ensuring you harness the maximum potential of your monday setup.
Worried these changes might affect your workflow? Book a free health check with our team!
Weighing the Pros & Cons
Making platform changes, especially something as pivotal as the logic that drives automations, doesn’t come without some drawbacks. What’s important is for us to recognize the benefits and weigh them versus those specific drawbacks to understand why the change moved forward.
🟢 Instantaneous Column Updates: With the new item creation automations, all specified column values are added to an item immediately upon its creation. This provides users with a complete view instantly, reducing the wait and potential confusion of gradual updates.
🟢 Streamlined Automation Processes: By reducing the time delay in populating column values, the overall automation process becomes smoother. This is particularly beneficial for workflows that rely on rapid data availability.
🟢 Enhanced Predictability: The new dynamics ensure that every time an item is created, all its attributes are defined straight away. This brings a level of predictability to the workflow, minimizing unforeseen errors or missing data issues.
🔴 Adjustment Period: For existing monday users, especially those who have set up complex automations based on the previous method, there’s a learning curve. They’ll need to reconfigure certain automations to adapt to the new system.
🔴 Potential Workflow Disruptions: If users are unaware of this change or don’t adapt in time, their secondary automations triggered by column value changes might fail. This could lead to minor disruptions until the necessary adjustments are made.
🔴 Dependency on New Recipes: The introduction of the “and” condition in automations means users will need to get accustomed to new automation recipes, which might initially seem cumbersome, especially if their workflow relies heavily on the previous setups.
The Philosophy Behind Platform Enhancements
In an era dominated by digital solutions and evolving work landscapes, continuous platform enhancement isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. For platforms like monday, user demands and industry trends set the pace, but there’s always an underlying philosophy guiding every decision.
1.) User-Centric Development: First and foremost, monday places its users at the center of its development strategies. Feedback isn’t merely collected—it’s dissected, analyzed, and turned into actionable change. Whether it’s a small tweak or a significant overhaul, user experience remains paramount. This ensures that changes, even those that might require a brief adjustment period, ultimately serve the user community’s best interests.
2.) Fostering Efficiency: Efficiency isn’t just about speed—it’s about optimizing processes to minimize friction and maximize output. The recent automation updates embody this principle. By reducing the time delay in populating column values, monday streamlines the data visualization process. The immediate representation of data reduces the cognitive load on users, allowing for more intuitive process management and decision-making.
3.) Adaptable and Future-Proof: In today’s ever-evolving digital environment, tools and platforms must be adaptable. They need to predict not just the present needs but also the future ones. monday’s enhancements always have an element of future-proofing. The flexibility offered by new features ensures that the platform remains relevant and supportive as teams grow, scale, and evolve.
4.) Collaborative Growth: One of the hallmarks of monday’s developmental philosophy is collaborative growth. The platform doesn’t grow in isolation. Instead, it evolves alongside its user community. The introduction of features like “Spaces” for sharing and collaboration or the nuanced automation dynamics both point towards a commitment to communal evolution. By offering tools that promote shared learning and collaboration, monday positions itself as a nexus of community-driven growth.
A Workflow Master’s Bestfriend
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, having the right tools isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity. Just as a master craftsman needs a reliable toolbelt, your team needs robust digital tools to streamline processes and enhance efficiency. That’s where CarbonToolbelt steps in.
As we inch closer to our grand reveal, here’s a sneak peek into what the CarbonToolbelt brings to your monday table:
🛠️ Seamless Calculations: Say goodbye to the complexities of formula columns. Calculate directly in standard columns with ease.
🛠️ Data Mastery: Experience unparalleled control over column and mirrored column data manipulation.
🛠️ Effortless SOPs: Implement standard operating procedures right within your workflows for consistent excellence.
🛠️ Preserving Time Nuances: Push dates forward without disrupting set times, thanks to intuitive triggers.
🛠️ and so many other amazing workflow-enhancing features.
CarbonToolbelt isn’t just another addition—it’s set to redefine the boundaries of what’s possible on monday. As the saying goes, where the usual tools end, CarbonToolbelt begins.
Get notified when it releases on the marketplace and gain priority access to our team by clicking the button below!
Your Partner in Workflow Development
As Channel & Advanced Delivery Partners, CarbonWeb offers Advanced Onboarding for monday.com, where we’ll coach you through the creation of two unique workflows across six weekly meetings.
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