- People naturally want to use digital tools to support their group activities.
- They typically use a collection of several different apps.
- The result is clunky, limited support for just a few aspects of the group activity.
- With Groupsheets, you can offer the same digital support much more conveniently within a single app.
- It's also easy to provide new forms of support that would otherwise be impractical.
- Benefits: More effective and satisfying participation and nearly effortless use of the digital support.
Examples of Group Activities
and Typically Used Tools
Choirs and Choruses
How can we make sure everyone can prepare for concerts effectively and in an enjoyable way?
The group's website, a messaging app, email, a video sharing site, ...
Stage productions
How can we make sure everyone knows exactly what they need to do in rehearsals and performances?
A file sharing site, a messaging app, email, printed spreadsheets, a physical bulletin board, ...
Class or Family Reunions
How can we get everyone together and create rewarding experiences?
Email, a social media site, photo and video sharing sites, ...
Group Travel Planning
What should we do on our vacation?
Spreadsheets, chatbots, email, a messaging app, ...
Key Properties of Groupsheets Relative to Multi-App solutions
A single app that works on any device with a browser
You can access the relevant content on any of your devices, from your smartphone to your multi-monitor workstation
A flexible but consistent representation for all types of content
Tables, texts, media, chatbot dialogs ...: All can be represented effectively in a suitable Groupsheets template
Easy editing of content by any authorized group member
Adding and changing content in a groupsheet is as easy as filling in a form
Typical Problems With Multi-App Solutions
and How Groupsheets Solve Them
No Overview of the Available Content
Having the content in several apps prevents me from getting an overview of what's available.
Our Groupsheets project comprises a number of clearly labeled and ordered groupsheets ("Practice Material", "Stage Directions", ...).
Not Knowing Where to Find Things
Was the meeting agenda sent by email or text message — and have any updates been sent?
The latest version of the agenda is always in the groupsheet “Meeting Agendas”.
Content Artificially Separated by App Boundaries
Our instructional videos are in our YouTube channel, but the related photos are in a photo sharing website, and the textual explanations of both are in a Google Doc.
Each of our project's groupsheets combines text, media files, and interactive functions in the way that's most convenient for us.
Content Not Available on All Devices
I can't look at the schedule of activities now, since it's stored as a spreadsheet on my laptop at home.
All of the group contributions are availble in the same way on my smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
Poor Support for Working in Parallel
I don't know if I can update this document now, because maybe someone else is updating it at the same time.
All group members can contribute at the same time, and they immediately see each other's contributions.
No Integration of Generative AI
Generative AI could save us a lot of time. But we'd need to use separate apps to generate the texts or images and then paste the results manually into our shared documents.
With many templates, we can ask a chatbot or an image generator to insert relevant content directly into the groupsheet, with an indication of where it came from.
Unsuitable Representations
I can’t format our stage directions clearly in a Word document or a spreadsheet.
Our sophisticated "Stage Directions" template is like an app that was designed specifically for the representation and use of stage directions.
Too Much Irrelevant Content
90% of this stuff has no relevance to me! How can I focus on what’s important?
The filters in each groupsheet's template enable us to see only what's relevant to what we’re doing right now.
Too Many Irrelevant App Features
Each of the six apps that we use is full of distracting features that we don't need for our group activity.
Our Groupsheets templates provide only features that have been found to be useful in connection with group activities.
Need for Skills and Tools
I don't have the time or skills to create a website, a YouTube channel, or whatever.
We’ll just choose the relevant Groupsheets templates, adapt them to our needs, and fill in the content.
Inability to Make Personal Notes
If I print these instructions so as to be able to write notes on them, I'll have to throw the notes away as soon as an updated version of the instructions appears.
I can make private "sticky notes" right in the instructions groupsheet, and these notes will remain available to me even when the instructions are updated.
Fragmented User Support
When I don't know how to do something with one of these six apps, I need to consult its help system or search the internet.
The integrated Groupsheets Nav offers step-by-step instructions within each groupsheet, in the style of a car navigation system.
Concerns About Use of Personal Data
I don't want to be forced to use this free messaging app, because I'm worried that information about me will be sold or misused.
The Groupsheets platform never uses the provided information for anything except supporting the group's activity.
Key Properties of Groupsheets Relative to Specialized Apps
(Which Are Available for Some Types of Group Activity)
A large collection of templates for each type of group
Whatever type of digital support you want, you can probably find an existing template for it. (If not, we can probably make it for you quickly.)
Easy customization of templates
Adapt any template so that it fits your group's needs "like a glove".
Consistency of the User Interface Over Devices
Since Groupsheets looks and feels the same on all devices, you can smoothly use two or more devices in parallel.
Typical Problems With Specialized Apps
and How Groupsheets Avoid Them
Coverage of Only Limited Aspects of the Group Activity
This app doesn't offer any way to share memories of our annual excursion.
Let's add the existing template “Memories of Group Events” to our project.
Limited Customizability
The way this app handles the recording of meeting attendance doesn't work well for our group.
We'll quickly customize one of the three "Meeting Attendance" templates to fit our situation exactly.
Different Experience on Different Devices
This app works differently on my laptop than on my tablet.
I hardly even notice when I switch between my laptop and my tablet.
Need to Visit App Stores Repeatedly
I have to visit the Apple and Google app stores regularly to keep the specialized app up to date on my phone and tablet.
I installed Groupsheets on each of my devices without visiting any app store; and it's updated automatically without action on my part.
Availability of Groupsheets
Groupsheets have been deployed in a wide range of scenarios since 2018, in direct collaboration with the groups that use them.
Each group uses a groupsheet project, which comprises a number of related groupsheets.
The user interface (menus, etc.) is available in English and German. The contributions entered by group members can be in any language.
To discuss what groupsheets can do for you, please request a discussion via the Contact page.