Async Work: The Complete Guide to Asynchronous Work
A work style where team members do not need to be online or available at the same time, communicating through written messages, recorded videos, and documentation rather than real-time meetings.
Async work (asynchronous work) is a communication and collaboration style where team members work independently without needing to be online at the same time. Instead of real-time meetings and instant responses, async teams rely on written documentation, recorded videos, and thoughtful messages. This approach is essential for remote teams spanning multiple time zones, as it eliminates the need for inconvenient meeting times and allows everyone to contribute during their most productive hours. The key benefit is true timezone flexibility—a developer in Tokyo and a designer in London can collaborate effectively without either sacrificing sleep or personal time.
Async Work
Async work (short for asynchronous work) is a work methodology where collaboration happens without requiring simultaneous participation from team members. Communication occurs through persistent, written channels—such as project management tools, shared documents, recorded video messages, and threaded discussions—rather than synchronous meetings or instant messaging that demands immediate responses. This approach prioritizes thoughtful, documented communication over real-time interaction, enabling teams distributed across time zones to work together effectively.
- Deep work benefits: Async environments reduce interruptions, allowing 2-3 more hours of focused work daily compared to meeting-heavy cultures
- Timezone independence: Team members in any location can contribute during their peak productivity hours without scheduling conflicts
- Documentation requirement: Async work demands strong written communication and comprehensive documentation practices to succeed
- Response time expectations: Most async teams expect responses within 24 hours for standard requests, not minutes or hours
- Tools used: Popular async tools include Loom (video), Notion (docs), Slack (async mode), Linear (projects), and GitLab (code collaboration)
Async Communication Tools
Successful async teams rely on purpose-built tools that support non-real-time collaboration:
Video Messaging
- Loom - Record and share screen recordings with commentary; recipients watch on their own time
- Vidyard - Video messaging with analytics to see who watched
- Vimeo Record - Quick video creation integrated with Vimeo hosting
Documentation Platforms
- Notion - All-in-one workspace for docs, wikis, and project tracking
- Confluence - Enterprise documentation with deep Atlassian integration
- GitBook - Developer-focused documentation with version control
Async-Friendly Messaging
- Slack (async mode) - Scheduled messages, status indicators, and do-not-disturb settings
- Twist - Thread-first messaging designed for async teams
- Basecamp - Project-focused communication without real-time pressure
Project Management
- Linear - Modern issue tracking with async workflows
- GitLab Issues - Development-integrated task management
- Asana - Task management with clear ownership and deadlines
When Async Works (and When It Doesn’t)
Async communication is not universally superior—the key is knowing when to use it.
Async Works Well For:
- Complex decisions requiring thought - When people need time to research, reflect, and formulate considered opinions
- Status updates and progress reports - Weekly summaries are more efficient than daily standups
- Code reviews and technical feedback - Reviewers can take time to understand context deeply
- Cross-timezone collaboration - The only practical approach when team spans 8+ hours
- Documentation and knowledge sharing - Written records benefit everyone, present and future
- Creative work requiring focus - Designers and developers need uninterrupted time
Sync Works Better For:
- Emergencies and outages - When every minute counts, get everyone on a call
- Emotionally sensitive conversations - Feedback, conflicts, and personal matters need real-time nuance
- Brainstorming sessions - Rapid idea generation benefits from energy and spontaneity
- Onboarding new team members - Early relationship building needs face time
- Complex negotiations - Back-and-forth discussions resolve faster in real-time
- Team building and culture - Some synchronous interaction maintains human connection
Frequently Asked Questions
How do async teams handle urgent issues?
Async teams establish clear escalation paths for true emergencies. This typically includes an on-call rotation, dedicated urgent channels with notifications enabled, and defined criteria for what constitutes an emergency worthy of interrupting deep work. The key is distinguishing between 'feels urgent' and 'actually urgent'—most things can wait a few hours.
Does async work mean no meetings at all?
No. Even the most async-first companies hold some synchronous meetings—typically for team bonding, complex discussions, and occasional brainstorming. The difference is that meetings are the exception, not the default. GitLab, a fully async company, still holds some video calls but requires written agendas and documented outcomes for every meeting.
What skills do I need to succeed in async work?
Strong written communication is essential—you must convey tone, context, and nuance in text. Self-management and discipline matter since no one monitors your minute-to-minute activity. Proactive communication helps avoid blockers, and comfort with documentation ensures your knowledge benefits the whole team. Finally, patience is crucial; you cannot expect instant responses.
How do async teams maintain company culture?
Async teams build culture through intentional practices: virtual coffee chats, optional social channels, periodic in-person retreats, transparent decision-making, and celebrating wins publicly in writing. Culture becomes more about shared values and how decisions are made than about office banter. Many async workers report stronger cultures because expectations are explicit rather than assumed.