Task Definitions
- Mike Nelson (Unlicensed)
- Timothy Hitchcock
Task definitions serve as templates for recurring tasks. They contain default settings that can be modified in each individual task instance created from the task definition template.
Tasks are defined here: Menu bar > Settings > Task Definitions
Crows Nest allows renaming of “Project” and “Phase” labels - they may appear differently.
Create task definition
Select Task Type from drop-down list (main types are Project and Phase)
Create: Click Add new <type> task to create a New Task entry in the Task List panel.
Edit: Select existing task from Task List panel > edit fields, options and resources in Definition panel
Delete: Right-click existing task in Task List panel > click Delete
Complete detailed task definition with these operations:
Edit task definition fields
Set task definition options
Add task definition resources
Edit task definition fields
Field name |
| Remarks |
|---|---|---|
ID | automatic | assigned by application, cannot be edited. |
Number | optional | Useful for sorting task lists in a preferred sequence, rather than the default alphanumeric order by Description. Appended to front of task description. |
Description | required | Text string describing task |
Variation | optional |
|
Category | optional |
|
Predecessor | optional | Used as a reference to calculate and schedule subsequent task dates. |
Employee | optional | Assigns task to individual Employee(s) by default. Occurs if Role is not used. |
Role | optional | Assigns task to Project Role by default, e.g. Project Manager. |
Department | optional | Labor Department, links task to budget hours and labor tracking. |
Operation | optional | Department sub-item, when more detail is desired for labor tracking. |
Status | optional | For some task types, completing a task can change the status of the parent object (i.e., Project, Phase). When this field is used, task completion will assign this status to the parent object. |
Set task definition options
Option checkbox | Remarks |
|---|---|
Allow multiple instances of this Task |
|
Automatically Add to new Project |
|
Include Time of Day |
|
Calculate the Due Date |
|
Calculate the Start Date |
|
Match Assignment to Trigger Task |
|
Auto-Fill Hours from Budget |
|
Timeline Appearance |
|
Weight |
|
Add task definition resources
Resource tab | Remarks |
|---|---|
Explanation | Add text to display when user clicks on “Explain this Task” |
Tasks | Add task to be triggered upon task completion. View chain of events. |
Dates | Add date to be set upon task completion. |
Markers | Add phase marker to be checked upon task completion. |
Notify | Add people to be notified upon task completion (by name, project role or email address) |
Checklist | Add items to be checked off before task completion. |
Schedule | Adds scheduled dates to be created automatically upon task completion. Uses “Schedule Task” window for scheduling options. Requires Crows Nest Email Server. |