Feature Requests:
Recurring Tasks

1. •  
     CommentAuthorMichael
   • CommentTimeNov 7th 2006 edited

    
   A new Intervals user asked us about re-occuring task support for monthly tasks.
   
   At present Intervals does not have true "re-occurring" tasks but there is a quasi way to do it. What we do is track the time, make updates, notes, etc. and then use the "copy task" link on the left hand side of the task detail page. So we close out the task for the given month, then spawn it's twin for the next month. We actually tinkered with true "re-occurring" tasks, but found that it created too many tasks and created overload so we decided to focus on one task at a time. "Copy" task creates a new task # but with the same summary, project, module, etc. then we schedule it for the next month. In fact, we often "copy" a task for a given project to a new project.
2. •  
     CommentAuthorMichael
   • CommentTimeJul 15th 2008

    
   We are in the process of adding more flexbility to tasks within Intervals. Specifically we are removing the due date requirement and allowing a task to be assigned to noone or multiple people. Since we are adding in more flexbility, it seems like a good time to revisit recurring tasks. We are considering adding recurring tasks that are not true recurring tasks, but serve the same purpose.
   
   Here is what we are thinking:
   
   1. create task
   2. make it recurring
   3. select the recurring interval (weekly, daily, monthly, etc.)
   4. instead of cluttering up the system with a bunch of tasks, only create the new task if:
   a. the due date has passed
   b. the current task is marked as closed
   
   Here is a quick real-life scenario. I have a weekly backup rotation task assigned to me in our Pelago IT project. Presently, I rotate the backup, make notes on the task, then update it and move it to the following week. With recurring tasks, I would do the same steps but instead of scheduling the task out a week I would close the task. When the task it closed the recurring rule would know to create a new task with the same information due next week.
   
   Would you use it? Is the complexity a necessary and welcome addition? Do you need more or less?
3. • CommentAuthorCraigburleigh
   • CommentTimeJul 18th 2008

    
   Would be very useful for me. Thanks. Craig.
4. • CommentAuthormarkbrooks
   • CommentTimeOct 17th 2008

    
   I recently transitioned over from TaskAnyone.com which has recurring tasks. I was using the recurring tasks for the following example tasks. My company does PR and business development, just to give some context...
   
   1. Lisa, monthly - check in on and update client wikipedia pages
   2. Irena, weekly - send out 'insider' marketing email
   3. Petra, monthly - look over blog, use dead linker checker and remove dead links
   4. Irena, monthly - review pres hits and send update text to client to add to their website
   
   Also, personally, to my assistant who looks after my home in Florida...
   1. Every 2 weeks - Mow lawn and clean up garden
   2. Twice a week - Feed cats, change litter (robot litterbox) pick up mail, check in on roommates
   3. Twice a month - Deposit checks in the bank
   
   Its definitely handy having recurring tasks. I look forward to you adding them. In the mean time I'm keeping my TaskAnyone account live to look after these and other tasks.
5. • CommentAuthoryorktown48
   • CommentTimeOct 19th 2008 edited

    
   Michael, You can change the code....so that it is a loop.
   
   Make recurring tasks auto appear after the last one is gone.
   
   So, lets say we have a monthly task.
   After Oct 31 it goes away (completed or not), the Nov 1-30 task pops in. You can edit and remove the recurring portion of the task (an additional checkbox for your database).
   
   Also, thank the guy above, or turning me on to your system. It does rock.
   
   Marc
6. • CommentAuthortrentlewis
   • CommentTimeNov 11th 2008

    
   I would LOVE to have them be re-occurring, similar to making an apointment on my google calendar.
   
   thanks guys!
   
   -trent
7. • CommentAuthormckays
   • CommentTimeDec 7th 2008

    
   Hey everyone!
   
   Recurring Task function would help us out a lot too.
   
   Cheers
   
   Scott
8. • CommentAuthorsarah
   • CommentTimeDec 8th 2008

    
   What about re-occuring projects?
   We have clients that pay monthly for a set number of hours. I want to put these in as monthly projects so I can see how much of their work we have completed each month, but each month it is fairly boring having to copy the project - sometimes I do this for over 80 clients. if I could set a project to be a re-occuring project then I wouldn't have to do this....?
9. • CommentAuthorwindyroad
   • CommentTimeDec 21st 2008

    
   Any progress on recurring tasks? While I admit it would be very handy, I think that you'll find you will end up reproducing the functionality of a calendar, don't you think? Instead of recurring tasks, how about calendar integration (e.g. CalDav), with the ability to link a meeting with a task or assign time to a meeting? If the meeting is recurring, then the task would be too. What do you think?