How to keep things off to do list until they are "possible?"
I have several subtasks in a project that are waiting for action by someone else. But the way my outline is structured, they are showing up on my to do list.
How do I set up my Outline so that so that "Get Amy's schedule to Lisa" only shows up AFTER Amy answers my email?
My to do list is totally clogged with items like this.
Thanks in advance,
Jeff Jaeger
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RE: How to keep things off to do list until they are
Have you tried the 'subtasks in order' option on the time tab? Check this box on any parent task, and its subtasks will show up one at a time rather than all at once. You can use this in conjunction with a waiting-for place, something like this:
ProjectName(place=Anywhere, subtasks in order)
--Amy has answered my email? (place=Waiting For)
--Get Amy's Schedule to Lisa (place=Office)
It works best if you make a habit of checking that Wating For place periodically. When you see a condition that has been met, check it off, and the remaining tasks will start appearing in your regular to-do list.
--Jon
RE: How to keep things off to do list until they are
That's a great idea. I could even give them a due date so that if I was still waiting a week from now, it would pop back into my inbox.
I'll let you know how it works.
RE: How to keep things off to do list until they are
Hi Jeff,
If you use 'complete subtasks in order' - which does sound like the right solution for the situation you describe - there will still only be one subtask showing up in the to do list no matter what other dimensions you enter. The 'complete subtasks in order' checkbox rules!
Hope this helps - it would probably help more if you experiment a little with a small task with a few subtasks so you can see how it works.
Best wishes,
Jean
RE: How to keep things off to do list until they are
>Hi Jeff,
>If you use 'complete subtasks in order' - which does sound
>like the right solution for the situation you describe - there
>will still only be one subtask showing up in the to do list no
>matter what other dimensions you enter. The 'complete
>subtasks in order' checkbox rules!
>Hope this helps - it would probably help more if you
>experiment a little with a small task with a few subtasks so
>you can see how it works.
>Best wishes,
>Jean
I hear what you are saying; but if there is no action I can take till "whenever" I do not want the item on my to do. I like the previous suggestion better.
RE: How to keep things off to do list until they are
Hi Jeff,
Sorry the 'complete subtasks in order' didn't appeal to you - you might want to give the 'whenever' tasks due dates when you want to review them - and short lead times so they will get into the to do list when you want to remember them if not do them.
Best wishes,
Jean
RE: How to keep things off to do list until they are
Another variation without checking 'subtasks in order' is to use a "Waiting For" place as follows:
Get Amy's schedule to Lisa (place = office)
---Amy has answered my email? (sent 7/5/05) (place = Waiting For)
the key is to develop the habit of checking the 'Waiting For' place on a regular basis. If too much time has passed, you can tell by the date in your task line that it is time to Nag Amy again.
"Aude Sapere"
Http://www.arcanum.ca
RE: How to keep things off to do list until they are
If you're using a Mac, see my LB Snooze script that will make a task go away for a little while.
<http://www.jeffporten.com/jpsite/software/lbsnooze>