How to Manage Ad-Hoc Requests in Slack: Asana vs ClickUp vs Trello
Slack is incredible for communication, but it is terrible for memory. The "Black Hole" of Direct Messages is where ad-hoc requests go to die, leading to missed deadlines and the dreaded follow-up text: "Did you get a chance to look at this?"
The solution isn't to stop using Slack; it's to build a bridge between Slack and your project management software.
We tested the Slack integrations for Asana, ClickUp, and Trello to see which one best handles the chaos of ad-hoc requests.
The Strategy: Triage
If you try to do every Slack request immediately, you will never get your actual work done. The goal of these integrations is triage. You want to move the request out of Slack and into an "Inbox" list in your project software instantly, so you can safely archive the chat and get back to work.
1. Asana: The King of Context
If your team's requests are usually complicated and require long explanations, screenshots, or back-and-forth debate, Asana is the best tool for the job.
The Workflow: You click the three dots on any Slack message and select "Turn into task."
The Superpower: Asana doesn't just copy the text; it attaches the entire conversation thread to the task description.
Why it wins: Two weeks later, when you finally start the task, you don't have to wonder, "What did they mean by 'fix the header'?" You can click one link in Asana and be taken directly back to the original Slack conversation to see the context.
2. ClickUp: The "Structured" Solution
Ad-hoc requests are often vague, but ClickUp excels at forcing people to be specific before the request hits your plate.
The Workflow: You can use the
/clickup newcommand or the message shortcut.The Superpower: ClickUp’s Slack modal is highly customizable. You can force the requester to select a Priority, add a Due Date, and even pick a specific Folder (like "Bugs" or "Marketing") right from Slack.
Why it wins: It prevents the "Garbage In" problem. It forces your team to categorize their own request before they dump it on you.
3. Trello: The Visual "Inbox"
If your team is non-technical and just wants a place to dump ideas so they don't forget them, Trello is the fastest and simplest option.
The Workflow: The Trello app for Slack allows you to send a message to a board with two clicks.
The Superpower: Create a column on your board named "Slack Inbox." Connect your Slack integration to default to this column.
Why it wins: It separates the noise from the work. You can let requests pile up in the "Slack Inbox" column all day, and then drag-and-drop them into "To Do" or "Doing" during your morning planning session.
If Trello's simple inbox becomes too cluttered for your growing team, you might need to upgrade. Read our guide on Switching from Trello to ClickUp.
Quick Comparison: Which Integration Fits Your Team?
| Tool | Speed to Capture | Detail Level | Best For... |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asana | Fast (Menu Click) | High (Keeps Context) | Complex requests that need context. |
| ClickUp | Medium (Form Fill) | Very High (Custom Fields) | Structuring vague requests. |
| Trello | Fast (2 Clicks) | Low (Visual Card) | Visual sorting & simple triage. |
Conclusion: Stop the Scroll
If you feel overwhelmed by Slack notifications, it’s likely because you are trying to hold that work in your head.
Choose Asana if you constantly lose the context of a conversation.
Choose ClickUp if you need to force your team to give you details.
Choose Trello if you just need a quick bucket to catch the overflow.
ScaleUp Tip: The "Request Channel"
Stop letting people DM you tasks. Create a public channel called #requests-marketing or #requests-design. Tell the team: "If it's not in this channel, it doesn't exist."
Now that you've tamed your internal Slack messages, learn how to stop clients from emailing you for updates by using Project Management Tools with Free Client Portals.
