Core categories
Start with the tools that hold daily work together.
1. Productivity and email
Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 usually becomes the center of identity, email, documents, calendars, and collaboration.
2. Async communication
Slack or Microsoft Teams is often where support requests, announcements, and team coordination happen.
3. Project and task tracking
Jira, Asana, Trello, or a similar tool helps teams avoid relying only on memory, DMs, or scattered notes.
4. IT request intake
A clear place to ask for help keeps support work from disappearing into side conversations.
Choosing tools
Adoption matters more than having the fanciest stack.
Pick tools based on what the team can realistically adopt. Do not add tools just because they are popular, and avoid having multiple tools that do the same thing unless there is a clear reason.
- Name who owns each tool and who makes changes.
- Use simple naming conventions for groups, channels, projects, and shared spaces.
- Write down the basics: what the tool is for, who uses it, and where people ask for help.
- Retire duplicate tools when they create confusion without adding real value.
Example stack
A good enough starting stack can be very simple.
- Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 for email, calendar, and documents
- Slack or Teams for communication
- Jira, Asana, or a similar tool for project and task tracking
- A simple intake path for IT requests
This is not the only right answer. It is just a practical shape: one place for core work, one place for communication, one place to track tasks, and one path for IT support.