During the course design and development phases, effective communication is essential for maintaining clarity and efficiency. At DataCamp, we use Asana, GitHub, and Zoom to facilitate collaboration and streamline the process. Here’s how these tools are used:
1. Asana: Process-Related Communication
Asana is our project management tool, used to organize and track the progress of your course. Each DataCamp course is assigned a dedicated Asana project to ensure all tasks and deadlines are clearly managed. Once you've been invited to your own Asana project, make sure to check out the following features:
My Tasks: View all tasks assigned to you, ordered by the due date, for easy prioritization.
Inbox: Keep track of project activity and updates in one place.
Timeline Tab: Gain a visual overview of your project, including task assignments, due dates, and dependencies.
Progress Tab: Track your project’s status with updates and a burn-up chart showing progress.
Subtasks: For tasks with multiple smaller steps, subtasks break down the work into manageable components.
Comments: Monitor and respond to comments on tasks and subtasks. Ensure your notifications are set up to avoid missing important updates.
Getting Started with Asana
If you’re new to Asana, explore the Asana Guide and Asana Academy for tutorials and tips on using the platform effectively.
2. GitHub: Content-Related Communication
GitHub is integral to the content creation, as our course editor (Teach) is built on its platform. It enables version control and facilitates collaboration on course content.
Using GitHub
Create an Account: If you don’t already have a GitHub account, register here.
Share Your Handle: Notify your DataCamp contact of your GitHub handle so you can be added to the project.
Learn the Basics: Watch this GitHub Overview Video to familiarize yourself with its features.
GitHub is primarily used for:
Sharing and reviewing course content.
Tracking changes and ensuring version control.
Commenting on and discussing specific content-related items.
3. Zoom: Regular Check-Ins
In addition to asynchronous communication, you’ll regularly check in with your Content Developer (CD) or Curriculum Manager (CM) via Zoom. These live sessions are an opportunity to:
Discuss outstanding issues or questions.
Review feedback and clarify the next steps.
Align on progress and timelines.
How to Use These Tools Effectively
Use Asana for process-related communication: For updates, task assignments, and overall project management.
Use GitHub for content-related discussions: For content-specific feedback, edits, and collaborative changes.
Use Zoom for real-time conversations: For discussing complex issues and aligning on the next steps.