Asynchronous workshop template

Mural's asynchronous workshop template is a game-changer for teams that want to effectively collaborate without the constraints of real-time meetings. This template allows participants to contribute at their own pace, perfect for global teams or those with varied schedules. Since everything is recorded in one place, team members can follow along, catch up, or go back to discussions at any time. This means they don’t need to worry about missing a beat.

According to Mural’s Collaboration Trends Report, 55% of individual contributors don’t believe their teams are collaborating effectively — you can change that with this template. The template includes built-in tools for capturing thoughts, organizing ideas, and visually collaborating, making it not only functional but also fun to use. Mural’s async workshop template offers a flexible, inclusive way to bring your team together and spark creativity from anywhere.

Reasons why it’s great to work asynchronously

• A1 documentation: Async communication requires written updates and detailed documentation. This helps everyone stay on track and creates a record that team members can look back at anytime.

• Boosts productivity: By allowing employees to work when they’re most productive, async work can increase overall efficiency.

• More diverse teams: Since people don’t need to be in the same timezone to work, your talent pool widens, allowing your team to be more diverse.

When to use asynchronous workshop template

An asynchronous workshop template is perfect for when your team can't all meet at the same time, whether due to time zone differences, packed schedules, or just wanting more flexibility. Here’s when to use it:

• Global teams: If your team is spread out, this lets everyone contribute without needing to be online together.

• Flexible scheduling: Ideal for teams juggling work and personal commitments, letting them participate when it works best for them.

• Inclusive for everyone: Introverts or those who need more time to process can contribute without the pressure of real-time discussions.

• Post-meeting follow-ups: Great for gathering additional thoughts after a live session.

It's all about making collaboration easier and giving everyone the space to share their best ideas.

How to use asynchronous workshop template

Step 1: Structure your template

When setting up your asynchronous workshop template, break down the workshop into sections or steps, like brainstorming, feedback, and action planning. This way, team members can easily follow along and contribute at each stage.

Step 2: Lay out clear instructions

Be specific about what you expect in each section. For example, if it’s a brainstorming phase, ask for a set number of ideas or a particular format for responses.

Step 3: Set clear deadlines and expectations

Since everyone’s working on their own time, establish deadlines to ensure progress. You might give a couple of days for brainstorming, followed by a day or two for feedback.

Step 4: Encourage your team to leave detailed feedback

Ask team members to explain their ideas and feedback thoroughly. This clarity makes it easier for others to build on contributions without the need for follow-up questions.

Tips to help your team collaborate asynchronously

• Become a documentation expert: Encourage team members to share detailed updates and notes. Good documentation lets everyone catch up quickly and eliminates those “wait, what happened?” moments.

• Think of this as the source of truth: Store all key documents, resources, and updates in your asynchronous workshop template so everyone stays in the loop.

• Build trust in your team: Giving everyone the freedom to manage their own time shows trust and respect‌ — ‌and when people feel trusted, they bring their A-game.