The Slack Handoff Problem: Why Projects Die in DMs
Critical project details live in private conversations. When someone leaves, the knowledge leaves with them.
The DM black box
Major decisions happen in DMs. Project pivots discussed privately. When handoff time comes, that context is invisible to everyone else.
The bus factor crisis
If someone gets "hit by a bus" (or just takes vacation), their DM knowledge goes dark. Projects stall. Context evaporates.
Why transparency fails
"Default to open" sounds good in theory. In practice, people DM for speed, comfort, and candor. The important stuff stays hidden.
Building handoff resilience
Document decisions immediately. Summarize DM outcomes in channels. Create project journals. Make knowledge transfer systematic, not heroic.
Float AI can help surface important decisions from DMs (with permission) and ensure critical context isn't lost in private conversations.