Basics · 04
Sessions and steps
A session is where the work happens. It can be a live meeting, a workshop or async work that people complete in their own time. Each session is a series of steps, and each step asks people for a specific kind of input.
How do I add a session?
- In a project, click + Add session in the list view.
- On the project board, use Add session to the project.
- From the left menu, click + Start a Process and choose a process.
- From the calendar, click Add session on a day.
In the Create new session dialog, enter a Session name, the goals, optional start and due dates, and the project.
How do I set up an empty session?
A new empty session opens the Session setup screen. Choose how to start:
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| From Library | Use a proven process from the Process Library. See What is a process? |
| Start with AI | Let Nova AI build the steps from a prompt, a document, an earlier session or an existing process. See Nova AI chat. |
| List Session | Build the steps yourself, as a focused step-by-step list. |
| Whiteboard | Start with a free-form board for visual collaboration. |
You can switch a session between the two formats later with Switch to list format or Switch to whiteboard format.
What does a session page look like?
Goals and instructions
Visible to allAgree on the project goals and choose a brand direction.
Conclusions
A session page also has:
- Leadership Notes: private notes for session leaders only.
- Resources: documents, links and materials for the session.
- Video Call Link: paste the link to your Meet, Teams or other video meeting. People join it with Join call.
- Previous conclusions and decisions: conclusions passed on from connected sessions.
What kinds of steps can I add?
Click Edit Session, then Add step. Each step has text, images or video to explain it, and a type that sets how people respond.
| Step type | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Individual note | Each person writes their own answer. |
| Comments / multiple notes | A discussion with many notes and replies. |
| Sticky notes | Brainstorms and quick ideas. |
| Whiteboard | Visual work: diagrams, maps, kanban. |
| Tasks | Agree on to-dos and assign them. |
| Approve / decline | Items to approve, decline or send back with notes. |
| Multiple choice | Votes, polls and scored checklists. Options can carry points. |
| Link button selector | A set of buttons that open links. |
| Files and links | Collect documents and links. |
| Image upload | Collect photos or images. |
Who owns a step?
Open a step's Step Preferences. On the Assignees & Privacy tab you can:
- Assign specific people and Set due date.
- Assign Nova AI, or mark the step as a Human-only step so Nova AI skips it.
- Set Step privacy: Open for leaders & collaborators, Leader only step or Collaborator responses private.
To use the same settings on every step, click Apply these preferences to all steps.
How do I complete a step?
- Mark complete for me completes the step for you only.
- Mark closed for all closes the step for everyone in the session.
When a session is done, click Complete Session. You can open it again with Re-Activate Session.
How do I run a live meeting or workshop?
- Presentation mode. Click Hide Menus / Presentation Mode to show only the content.
- Follow me. In the participants list, use All Follow Me. Everyone's screen then follows yours.
- Timers. Start a Session Timer or a Board Timer. The timer is the same for everyone and beeps when it ends.
- Preview. Click View as collaborator to see the session as your collaborators see it.
What can I do on a whiteboard?
The board is an infinite canvas. Its toolbar lets you add notes, tasks, text, comments, shapes, arrows, images, videos, files, links and timers. You can also add a grid or a kanban layout.
- Click one item and then another to connect them with a line.
- Use Convert To Task on a sticky note to turn an idea into a task.
- Use Vote / Like Note to vote on ideas.
- Use Note Locker to lock notes so nobody moves them by mistake.
- Use Copy To Session Conclusions to keep an important note.
What is a conclusion?
A conclusion records what the session decided or produced. Click Write a conclusion, or Generate AI Conclusions to let Nova AI draft one from the session's notes. In Conclusion options you choose:
- Share with: Leaders only or all participants.
- A Deliverable file, such as PDF, Word, PowerPoint or Excel.
- Whether to add the conclusion to the project report and send it to connected sessions.
Conclusions appear in the project's decision log and report. See Track progress and report.
Where do I keep private sessions, such as 1:1s?
Use the Leadership hub in the left menu. Sessions there are private to you unless you invite others. Use it for 1:1s, coaching, check-ins, surveys and other leadership work that does not belong to a client or team project.
- Open Leadership hub and choose a tab, such as 1:1s & Coaching.
- Select + Add session and choose a process, or start from scratch.
- To bring someone in, open the session's people and invite them. They see only that session.
The tabs are Meetings & Workshops, Async, Approval / Feedback, 1:1s & Coaching, Check-in & Team Retros, Surveys, Culture & Growth and Other.
How do I mention someone?
Type @ in any note and choose a person. In a session, @here mentions everyone and @leaders mentions all session leaders. Mentioned people see it under Mentions.
Can I attach files?
Yes. Drag a file into a note, or use a Files and links step. See Files and AI deliverables.