Complex processes can quickly become overwhelming if they are not clearly defined and organized. Puzzle's Steps provide the building blocks for breaking down these intricate processes into clear, manageable workflows.
Each step visually represents a specific action or task, helping your team easily understand, manage, and execute daily operations.
By using Steps, you can simplify the visualization of complex tasks and improve collaboration, communication, and overall productivity. This will ensure that everyone remains aligned on responsibilities and operational goals.
Benefits of Using Steps
✅ Clarity: Easily break down complex processes into manageable, clearly defined workflows.
⚡ Execution: Quickly locate and execute individual steps, improving operational efficiency.
🧠 Understanding: Visually represent your processes, making it easy for teams to understand workflows at a glance.
Video Guide: Using Step & Section Sidebars - Tips & Best Practices
Step-by-Step Guide
1️⃣ Adding a Step
1️⃣ Adding a Step
➕ Add Step: Click the Step button on the toolbar.
✏️ Provide Details: Name your step clearly by clicking the Step name field. Quickly associate relevant roles and tools by using the “@” function.
2️⃣ Enabling Additional Step Inputs
2️⃣ Enabling Additional Step Inputs
By default, new workspaces have a minimal sidebar with only Step Name, Tool, and Notes to ensure a simple and intuitive experience. However, teams that require more detailed tracking can enable additional inputs based on their workflow needs.
🛠 How to Enable Additional Inputs
Go to Workspace Settings in Puzzle.
Navigate to "Step Sidebar Configuration."
Toggle ON the inputs you want to use (Step Status, Step Type, Executor, Roles, Attributes, Cost, Tasks, Sync).
Click Save, and your Step Sidebar will update automatically.
💡 Now, when you open a step, the newly enabled inputs will be visible in the sidebar.
3️⃣ Configuring Additional Inputs
3️⃣ Configuring Additional Inputs
Once additional inputs are enabled, you can configure them for each step. Below is a breakdown of how to use each input based on its category.
📈 Process Tracking Inputs
📈 Process Tracking Inputs
Step Status – Set the progress of the step:
Live – Currently in use.
Archived – No longer active but kept for reference.
Testing – Being tested before deployment.
In Progress – Under development.
Draft – Not yet finalized.
Step Type – Categorize the kind of work in this step:
Chat – Represents real-time conversations or chatbot interactions.
Conditional – Creates decision-based branching to automate different workflow paths.
Database – Connects to, retrieves, or modifies structured data.
Delay – Introduces a waiting period before the next step executes.
Delegate – Assigns tasks or responsibilities to a specific user or team.
Document – Links to or generates files, reports, or written records.
Email – Automates or tracks email communications.
Form – Captures user input through structured fields.
Go to – Redirects users to another step, section, or workflow.
Link – Embed external URLs for quick access or reference.
Meeting – Schedules or logs discussions, calls, or appointments.
Notification – Sends alerts or updates to users.
Payment – Manages transactions, invoicing, or billing steps.
Phone – Logs or initiates voice calls.
Research – Represents an investigation, market analysis, or data collection step.
Sequence – Automates a series of timed actions, such as email drip campaigns or follow-up sequences.
SMS – Sends automated or manual text messages.
Tag – Categorizes or labels workflow elements for better organization.
Task – Represents an action item that needs to be completed.
Video – Embeds, links to, or plays video content within the workflow.
Webpage – Opens an internal or external web page directly in the workflow.
Workflow – Triggers or connects to another workflow for process continuity.
🙋 Responsibility & Execution Inputs
🙋 Responsibility & Execution Inputs
Executor/Step Method – Defines who performs the step:
Person – A team member executes the step.
System – A tool or software executes the step automatically.
AI Agent – Artificial intelligence handles execution.
Associated Roles – Assign responsible team members for this step.
📊 Cost & Performance Tracking Inputs
📊 Cost & Performance Tracking Inputs
Step Cost Calculator – Tracks time and cost estimates for the step.
Tasks – List action items related to this step.
4️⃣ Step Management
4️⃣ Step Management
To keep workflows clear and efficient, consider these best practices:
➕ Use Notes for Additional Context: Store key details, links, or instructions within the Notes section for better documentation.
🤖 Automated Notes with AI: Utilize Puzzle’s AI-powered note automation to capture important details in each step effortlessly. Learn more about Automated AI Notes →
➕ Duplicate Steps for Efficiency: Quickly copy steps and their details using keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+C/Ctrl+V on Windows, ⌘+C/⌘+V on Mac) or directly from the Quick Action Menu when selecting a step.
💬 Add Comments for Collaboration – Keep discussions relevant by adding comments directly to steps. Use @"mentions" to notify teammates. Learn more about Comments →
❌ Remove Unnecessary Steps: Click the 🗑️ icon, use the Backspace key, or quickly remove a step directly from the Quick Action Menu upon selection.
💡 Best Practices and Tips
🥇 Naming Steps:
✂️ Keep it Brief: Use concise titles of 2-3 words beginning with actionable verbs for clarity (e.g., “Review Proposal,” “Send Invoice”).
🚫 Avoid Redundancy: Exclude information already shown in step details, such as the associated roles or tools, to maintain simplicity.
🥇 Arranging Steps:
➡️ Left to Right: Organize steps horizontally from left to right to clearly show sequential dependencies. For instance, if step 1 must precede step 2, place them accordingly along the X-axis.
⬇️ Top-Down: Arrange steps vertically if they can occur simultaneously, visually differentiating parallel processes from sequential ones.
⏹️ Clearly Break Down Processes: Define each step explicitly and distinctly for easier execution, management, and clarity.
🔄 Regularly Review and Update: Continuously review your steps to ensure they accurately reflect current processes, responsibilities, and requirements—keeping workflows relevant and precise.
➡️ Keep Your Step Sidebar Focused and Relevant: To maintain a clean and efficient workspace, enable only the inputs your team actively needs and regularly review your sidebar settings to ensure they align with evolving workflows and team priorities.
Conclusion
Puzzle’s Steps transform complex processes into clear, actionable workflows that empower your team to execute tasks efficiently and accurately. By adopting clear naming conventions and logical arrangements and leveraging additional features like the Step Sidebar Configuration and Conditional Step Coloring, you'll improve collaboration, reduce confusion, and maintain operational clarity.
Start refining your workflows today using these best practices and tips—ensuring your team stays aligned, productive, and confident in managing processes.