Streams Overview

Streams are the heart of collaboration and project management in Ledger. They provide a structured environment where teams can communicate, manage tasks, share documents, and brainstorm ideas. This article provides an updated and comprehensive overview of what a stream is, what’s inside a stream, and how to effectively use it.

What is a Stream?

A stream in Ledger is a dedicated workspace designed for specific projects, teams, or departments. It functions as a central hub where all related activities and information are organized and accessible to team members. Each stream includes various tools and features to facilitate efficient collaboration and project management.

What’s Inside a Stream?

Each stream in Ledger is equipped with several key components to help manage your project effectively:

1. Chat:
   • A real-time messaging area where team members can discuss and share updates.
   • Use @mentions to grab someone's attention or use threads to keep conversations organized.
2. Tasks:
   • A task management tool that allows you to create, assign, and track tasks.
   • Features include setting due dates, priorities, and adding subtasks.
   • View tasks in a Kanban board or table view for different perspectives.
3. Docs:
   • A document management section where you can create, share, and collaborate on documents.
   • Integrated with AI Assist to help generate content, check grammar, and improve writing.
4. Ideas:
   • A new whiteboard feature located under the Ideas tab for brainstorming and visual planning.
   • Add elements, use templates, and collaborate in real-time.
5. Files:
   • A centralized location for storing and organizing files related to the stream.
   • Easily upload, download, and share files with team members.
6. Events:
   • A calendar feature to schedule and manage events, meetings, and deadlines.
   • Syncs with your task deadlines and other important dates.

Additional Features to Boost Your Stream

1. Video/Screen Recording:
   • Record videos or your screen to provide detailed explanations and updates.
   • Share recordings directly within the stream for easy access.
2. Adding Polls:
   • Create polls to gather team opinions and make decisions quickly.
   • Easily add polls from the toolbar and get instant feedback.
3. Broadcasts (Public Streams Only):
   • Send out announcements and important updates to all members of a public stream.
   • Keep everyone informed and engaged with timely broadcasts.
4. Highlight to Reply Feature:
   • Highlight text in a chat or comment and click the reply icon to create a reference in your quick message field.
   • This feature makes it clear exactly what you're addressing, enhancing communication.
5. Setting Streams to Public or Private:
   • Choose to make your stream public for broader collaboration or private for a focused team.
   • Control access and ensure the right people are involved.
6. Integration with Zoom and Google Meet:
   • Add conference links directly to your events or tasks.
   • Schedule and join meetings seamlessly without leaving Ledger.

How to Use a Stream

1. Creating a Stream:
   • Navigate to your workspace and select the option to create a new stream.
   • Name your stream and add a description if needed.
   • Invite team members by entering their email addresses or selecting from existing contacts.
2. Managing Tasks:
   • Create tasks within the Tasks tab by clicking on “Add Task”.
   • Assign tasks to team members, set due dates, and add details or attachments as necessary.
   • Use the Kanban board view to move tasks through different stages of completion.
3. Collaborating on Documents:
   • Use the Docs tab to create and edit documents.
   • Leverage AI Assist for writing support, including generating new documents, improving text, and adjusting tone.
   • Share documents with team members for collaborative editing and feedback.
4. Brainstorming with Whiteboards:
   • Access the Ideas tab to create new whiteboards.
   • Utilize templates and various elements to structure your brainstorming sessions.
   • Collaborate in real-time with team members, seeing their inputs live.
5. Organizing Files:
   • Upload and categorize files in the Files tab.
   • Ensure all relevant documents and resources are easily accessible to your team.
6. Scheduling Events:
   • Use the Events tab to schedule meetings, deadlines, and other important dates.
   • Sync events with your personal calendar to stay on top of your schedule.

Best Practices for Using Streams

• Regular Updates: Keep your stream updated with the latest information and progress to ensure everyone is on the same page.
• Clear Communication: Use the chat and comments features to maintain clear and open communication with your team.
• Task Management: Regularly review and update task statuses to keep the project moving forward efficiently.
• Collaboration: Encourage team members to actively participate in document editing and brainstorming sessions to leverage collective expertise.

Tips for using streams

• Use the subscribe feature to set the notification to be on, paused, or unsubscribed.
• Global search (located in the sidebar) looks for what you need from all of the streams within a workspace. Quick search only finds information within a specific stream section.
• Check out the All Streams page for an overview of the streams grouped by status.
• Add new workspaces to wall-off streams between departments, vendors or clients.
• Use folders to organize all of your streams within a workspace by type, division or account.
• Mark important streams as favorites for quick reference.

By utilizing all the features available in streams, you can enhance your team’s collaboration, streamline project management, and achieve your goals more efficiently.