Summary: Groups in OPulse provide a dedicated space for team collaboration, project discussions, and specialized topics. This document explains how to create, join, and effectively use groups within the platform based on the actual implemented functionality.

Group Basics

What are Groups?

Groups are collaborative spaces where:

• Team members with common interests or responsibilities can connect
• Discussions can be organized around specific topics, projects, or departments
• Content is shared with a defined set of members rather than the entire organization
• Information can be categorized and easily accessed by relevant stakeholders

Navigating Groups

Accessing the Groups Area

1. Navigate to the Engage tab in the main menu
2. Click on the “Groups” tab in the top navigation
3. View your groups and discover new ones

Group Discovery

• Browse through available groups in the list view
• Groups display basic information like name and member count
• Click on any group to view its details and activity
• Loading indicators display when group data is being fetched

Joining and Creating Groups

Joining Existing Groups

1. Navigate to the Groups tab
2. Browse the list of available groups
3. Click on the group name to view details
4. Click the “Join Group” button to become a member

Creating a New Group

1. Go to the Groups tab
2. Click the “Create Group” button
3. Fill in required information:
   • Group name (clear and descriptive)
   • Description (purpose and focus)
4. Click “Create” to establish the group

Participating in Groups

Viewing Group Content

• Group feed shows all posts and activity
• Content appears in reverse chronological order
• Content is only visible to group members
• Loading spinner appears when fetching additional content

Posting in Groups

1. Navigate to the desired group
2. Find the post creation area at the top of the group feed
3. Create content as you would for a regular post
4. The post will only be visible to group members

Group Interactions

• Like and comment on posts within the group
• View all members of the group
• See group details and information

Finding Content in Groups

Using Search to Find Group Posts

The platform’s search feature includes group content in its scope:

1. Use the search bar in the right sidebar
2. Enter keywords related to the group content you’re looking for
3. Press Enter or click the arrow button
4. Search results will include content from groups you’re a member of
5. Group posts in search results will display the group name

Search Scope and Limitations

• Search includes content from all groups you’re a member of
• Posts in groups you don’t belong to won’t appear in your search results
• Only the post content text is searched, not comments or group descriptions
• Loading indicators show when search is in progress

Managing Groups

Member Management

If you are a group administrator:

1. Navigate to the group details
2. View all current members
3. Options include:
   • Add new members
   • Remove existing members

Group Information

Group administrators can:

• Update group name and description
• Manage group membership
• Respond to group-related questions
• Upload and change group cover images and icons

Group Visual Elements

Group Icons and Images

• Each group displays a visual identifier in lists and headers
• Default display shows the group’s initial letter
• Administrators can upload custom images for their groups
• Group cover images appear at the top of group pages

Group Interface Elements

• Member count indicators show current group size
• Loading spinners appear when group content is being fetched
• Clear visual hierarchy distinguishes between group posts and main feed posts
• Consistent styling helps identify which group context you’re in

Your Groups Dashboard

Viewing Your Groups

1. On the Feed tab, you can see a section titled “Your Groups”
2. This shows the first 5 groups you’ve joined
3. Click “View all” to see your complete list of groups

Group Card Information

Each group card in your list displays:

• Group initial letter as an icon
• Group name
• Member count
• Click any group card to navigate to that group

Leaving a Group

To leave a group you’ve joined:

1. Navigate to the group
2. Look for the “Leave Group” option
3. Confirm your decision when prompted

Best Practices for Group Success

For Group Creators

• Define a clear purpose for your group
• Add a descriptive name and informative description
• Invite relevant initial members to build momentum
• Create welcome content to establish tone
• Regularly engage with group content

For Group Members

• Read group description before posting
• Share relevant, valuable content
• Engage constructively with other members
• Use appropriate tone and professionalism

Troubleshooting

Common Group Issues

Unable to see group content:

• Verify your membership status
• Ensure the group is still active
• Check your internet connection
• Wait for loading indicators to complete if content is being fetched

Cannot post in a group:

• Confirm you are a member of the group
• Verify your connection is stable
• Refresh the page and try again

Group not appearing in your list:

• Click “View all” to see your complete group list
• Verify you haven’t left the group
• Contact an administrator if you believe there’s an error

Search not finding group content:

• Ensure you’re a member of the group
• Try more general search terms
• Verify the content still exists and hasn’t been deleted
• Remember search only examines post content text, not comments

Getting Help

If you encounter group-related issues:

1. Contact the group administrator
2. Check system documentation
3. Refresh your browser or try a different device