Overview #
At Shopstars, Basecamp is the primary communication and tracking system for all projects. Every decision, approval, deliverable, and milestone is logged in Basecamp to ensure there is a complete record. Slack is used for quick clarifications, but the authoritative source of truth remains Basecamp.
Basecamp #
Basecamp is mandatory for all structured communication.
- Use Basecamp to review and approve deliverables
- Log decisions and feedback directly in Basecamp, even if they were discussed elsewhere
- Upload files and assets to Docs & Files to maintain version control
- Use To-Dos for task tracking and accountability
- Expect responses within one business day
If it is not in Basecamp, it is not considered documented. This applies to approvals, timelines, and scope changes.
Slack #
Slack is available for day-to-day clarifications and urgent issues.
- Appropriate for: short questions, quick updates, urgent technical issues during business hours
- Inappropriate for: approvals, milestone decisions, or file sharing
- All important outcomes from Slack conversations are logged in Basecamp by the Project Manager
Email #
Email is used sparingly, primarily for communication with stakeholders who do not participate in Basecamp or Slack. Routine project work should never be managed over email.
Response Standards #
- Basecamp: responses within one business day
- Slack: near real-time during business hours, but always followed by documentation in Basecamp if a decision is made
Summary #
Basecamp is the system of record. Slack supports real-time communication but is not a substitute for Basecamp. Email is used only when necessary. Clients should expect all deliverables, approvals, and decisions to be documented in Basecamp to avoid ambiguity.
