Atlassian unveils major Trello update with AI features

Atlassian has announced a major update for Trello to enhance its efficiency as a personal productivity tool.

The update will see Trello introducing new features to help users manage their to-do lists more effectively. Users will now be able to capture tasks with the help of AI, enabling them to add actions from various platforms, including voice notes via Siri, Slack, email, and Jira, directly to their Trello board.

A newly implemented inbox feature will allow users to organise tasks that align with their individual work styles. This will enable items to be shuffled around the board according to personal preference. Additionally, Trello will now offer an integration with Google Calendar and, soon, Microsoft Outlook, making it easier for users to allocate secure focus time and visualise deadlines using the drag-and-drop planner tool.

According to Atlassian, the updates in Trello will help users overcome the clutter that typically arises from a disordered approach to task management. "As you go through your work day, new to-dos pop up at every turn: respond to an email message, provide feedback on a plan, share an executive update. It can become overwhelming quickly. Fret not. Trello is here to help you escape the clutter and chaos," he said.

A survey informs the product enhancements of 6,000 professionals, including 1,000 from Australia. The survey revealed a strong association between organisation and productivity, with 92% of respondents believing that the most organised individuals on their teams are the most productive. Furthermore, 68% of those surveyed considered themselves more organised than their peers.

The findings also highlighted challenges younger workers face, particularly those from Generation Z, in managing personal tasks. While 29% of Gen Z workers reported feeling organised at work, they described their home lives as a "hot mess." Notably, 78% of survey participants preferred completing extra work over collaborating with disorganised colleagues, with 61% even expressing a willingness to dismiss such colleagues to improve team productivity.

Atlassian emphasised the importance of capturing tasks as they arise. "Say goodbye to scattered to-dos. In the new Trello, tasks can be captured from any interaction—whether it's a voice note to Siri, a Slack message, or an email – and added to your Trello Inbox. Exactly how easy is it to send a to-do to your inbox? Almost too easy," he stated.

Once captured, Trello offers users flexibility in organising their tasks, with simple list formats such as "To-do," "Doing," and "Done," or by selecting from over 100 board templates. Trello's visual and intuitive experience allows users to drag and drop tasks, block time for specific deadlines, and mark tasks as completed.

Atlassian noted that 70% of knowledge workers derived more satisfaction from completing tasks on their to-do lists than from receiving recognition from colleagues. "You can adapt your board to your unique workflow—add custom labels, checklists, and automation to supercharge your productivity," he elaborated.

The introduction of the Trello Planner aims to address the challenge of allocating sufficient time for task completion. Users can now connect Trello to their Google Calendar to seamlessly integrate task schedules into their availability. Atlassian explained, "With the new Trello Planner, your tasks and schedule come together seamlessly. Connect your Google Calendar now to view your availability right alongside your tasks. Effortlessly drag and drop tasks from your Inbox or boards directly onto your calendar—to create focused time slots and meet deadlines with ease."

The survey indicated a need for better planning, with 65% of knowledge workers reporting unfinished tasks at the end of each day.