DUN: "complete task in order" vs. subtasks clarification?
What is the functional difference between marking a set of tasks "complete tasks in order" as opposed to making a series of subtasks?
For instance, I want to repair a window that has several broken panes. I currently have it set up so that "find caulk removal tool" is a subtask of "remove panes", which is a subtask of "get new panes", which is a subtask of "install new panes", which is a subtask of "repair window". In what way is this setup significantly different from setting up all the tasks at the same level, and marking them "complete tasks in order"?
Thanks for any clarification!
-- amazondoc --
Confused, bemused, and disorganized, but trying to reform!
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RE: complete task in order" vs. subtasks clarification
Functionally there is very little difference - we're talking "tick, update" in both cases.
Technically, the outline has a finite number of levels (8 if memory serves) so tasks with a lot of steps (or deep in your outline) can't be nested, but can be done "in order".
Philosophically... there's probably a mindset thing in there too, although I'm not qualified to judge what it may be :+ There are clearly advantages in the "tree" approach in that its easier to work back from the result through the list of required steps by adding children.
Practically: if each parent in one's tree based list has exactly one child then it is probably best arranged as a list done "in order". If, on the other hand, any parent has more than one child then those children should probably be left as children.
Murph (just a user)
RE: complete task in order
Thanks Murph!
-- amazondoc --
Confused, bemused, and disorganized, but trying to reform!
RE: complete task in order
Another thing to consider.
Can the project be broken into phases?
You may have sections that happen in order, where the subtasks then happen as simple subtasks with no specific order.
An example of this might be a project "Get a dog" which has a phase for "Research what having a pet involves" as a first phase which needs to happen before a phase for "Visit puppies!"
The research phase might have tasks in it for "visit vet", "visit library" and "visit dog shows" and "visit Aunt Matildha and her corgie" which can be done in any order within the phase, and you want to have those visible at once.
But before you visit the adorable ones, doing your homework first with the section will keep you on track for making good decisions! :)
Get a dog (marked with complete subtasks in order)
**Research having a pet (not marked with complete subtasks in order)
**Visit Puppies
Once you have checked off your research phase heading, then you will get the task for visiting the puppies!
Best wishes,
--Catherine--*
Catherine E. White
President
www.llamagraphics.com
Creators of Life Balance software
for Palm OS, Macintosh and Windows.
RE: complete task in order
I love the LB system. :-)
-- amazondoc --
Confused, bemused, and disorganized, but trying to reform!
RE: complete task in order
Glad you liked that example!
Best wishes,
--Catherine--*