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Asana Slack Integration: A How-to Guide

Paulina
Content Writer
September 13, 2024

Wondering how to integrate Asana with Slack because you’re fed up switching between these two tools all the time? We hear you!

With Asana Slack integration, you can combine both platforms’ capabilities to smooth out your workflows, cutting down on constant back-and-forth and keeping everybody on the same page. Whether your goal is to receive Asana task notifications in a dedicated Slack channel, or you're looking to manage tasks directly from Slack, this quick guide has got you covered.

What is Slack Asana integration?

The Slack Asana integration merges the communication power of Slack with the project management capabilities of Asana, enabling you to share tasks, receive updates, and create new tasks directly within Slack conversations.

Teams that can benefit from Slack Asana integration are: 

  • Tech startups: For managing fast-paced project timelines and facilitating real-time communication among developers, designers, and product managers.
  • Marketing agencies: To coordinate campaigns, track deliverables, and streamline client communication.
  • Remote teams: For keeping everyone connected and on track with their tasks, regardless of their location.
  • Software development teams: To prioritize features, bugs, and sprints while keeping conversations focused and actionable.

Creative teams: To manage creative workflows, review processes, and collaborate on ideas.

Why integrating Asana and Slack is a good idea

The significance of integrating Asana with Slack lies in the seamless flow of information and tasks between project management and communication channels.

This integration allows users to receive updates, create tasks, and even communicate about specific projects directly within Slack, eliminating the need to switch between applications constantly. Key benefits of this integration include:

  • Task updates in Slack: Receive real-time notifications in Slack for any updates on tasks in Asana.
  • Task creation from Slack: Create new Asana tasks directly from Slack conversations, ensuring that no idea or task gets lost in the shuffle.

Direct linking to tasks: Access Asana tasks directly from Slack by clicking on task links, streamlining the process of reviewing and completing tasks.

3 ways how to integrate Asana with Slack

There are multiple ways you can go about Slack Asana integration, each with its pros and cons. Let’s review the most popular options:

  1. Asana app for Slack

The easiest way to connect Asana with Slack is by adding the Asana app to your Slack workspace. Install the Asana app within Slack by searching for it in the Slack App Directory.

Slack App Directory

Once installed, you can link your Asana account and start using commands like /asana create to create tasks from Slack messages or /asana link to link a Slack channel with an Asana project for updates.

Pros ✅: Immediate task creation and updates within Slack; intuitive for users familiar with Slack commands.

Cons ❌: Limited to predefined commands and interactions; might not support all Asana features like custom fields or advanced project views.

  1. APIs

If you have a developer on your team, you might want to go down the custom integration route. Through Asana’s REST API function, you can create a bespoke integration that posts updates to Slack channels based on specific triggers in Asana, such as tasks reaching a certain stage in a project.

Pros ✅: Full control over the integration's behavior and the ability to tailor it to specific workflow needs.

Cons ❌: Requires programming knowledge and maintenance effort; might involve additional costs for access to integration platforms.

  1. Thena’s webhooks

Thena is an AI-powered customer engagement tool tailored for Slack, designed to enhance interactions with customers directly within Slack channels. Its main features include:

  • Request identification: The automatic detection of customer requests within Slack conversations, ensuring timely attention.
  • Priority response mechanism: The system for highlighting and addressing urgent customer issues swiftly, improving satisfaction.
  • Analytics: For tracking customer service metrics and better understanding agents’ productivity.
  • Tool integration: Seamless native and webhook integrations with popular business tools, helping you streamline workflows and simplify operations.

For the Slack Asana integration, you simply need to use Thena’s webhooks, which allow for seamless real-time synchronization between Asana and Slack. These webhooks facilitate the transfer of information from Slack to Thena and then into Asana, ensuring that requests are instantly accessible in Asana.

For detailed instructions on setting up this integration, refer to Thena's webhook guide.

Tips for maximizing your Slack Thena integration

After sorting out your integration, it's time to make the most of it. Here are a few simple tips to help you maximize this powerful combo:

  • Get your notifications under control: Constant notifications are ruining your team’s productivity. Facts. With this in mind, tailor Asana notifications in Slack to avoid information overload. Focus on receiving updates that are relevant to each team member's role, ensuring that everyone is informed without being overwhelmed.
  • Use dedicated channels: Assign specific Slack channels for updates from Asana projects. You should aim to create a central hub where team members can stay informed about project progress, similar to having a daily briefing without the need for meetings.
  • Set up regular check-ins: Schedule regular check-ins using Slack, where team members can share updates, challenges, and successes related to their Asana tasks.

Comparing Communication Features: Slack vs. Asana

FeatureSlackAsanaThena.ai Integration Benefits
Primary FocusReal-time team communication & collaborationProject management, task tracking, and team organizationStreamlines B2B customer service by enabling real-time communication within Asana tasks.
Communication StyleInformal, conversational, fast-pacedFlexible, can be formal or informal, often project-specificFacilitates contextual communication and knowledge sharing for customer inquiries.
Communication FormatPrimarily text messages, voice calls & video conferencingComments within tasks, task descriptions, @mentions, file sharingEnables real-time discussions and updates directly within relevant Asana tasks.
Collaboration FeaturesShared channels, threaded messages, file sharing, real-time mentionsShared project boards, collaborative editing on tasks and comments, @mentions, document sharingEnhances team collaboration and knowledge sharing around customer issues.
IntegrationsIntegrates with numerous external tools and servicesIntegrates with various tools, but focus leans towards project management and automationBridges the communication gap between Slack and Asana, creating a unified customer service workflow.
Search FunctionalityPowerful search for messages, channels, and usersSearch primarily within tasks, projects, and commentsEnables efficient search for relevant customer information and past interactions.
CostFree tier with limited features, paid plans for additional features and usersFree tier with limited features, paid plans for additional features and team sizeThena.ai potentially reduces costs through improved collaboration and issue resolution efficiency.
Mobile AppAvailable with full functionalityAvailable with full functionalityEnables on-the-go customer service management and team collaboration.
Learning CurveRelatively easy to learn and useSteeper learning curve for advanced features and complex project management workflowsThena.ai simplifies communication and ticket creation within Asana for B2B customer service.
Suitable for:General team communication, project discussions, quick updatesProject communication and updates, assigning tasks and deadlines, status updatesB2B customer service, especially within project management contexts.

Tying it all together: Slack + Asana

Slack Asana integration is super useful for any organization that uses these tools. Having both tools linked together creates a cohesive ecosystem where team communication flows freely and tasks are managed with precision.

Your next move should be to select the integration method that best aligns with your organization's specific requirements. After successfully connecting these tools, you might want to consider Thena, our intelligent B2B customer engagement platform, to elevate your Slack workspace even further.

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