Subtasks

Using subtasks

With subtasks, you can break down complex tasks into smaller, manageable work steps. Subtasks can be assigned, edited and managed individually. This helps you keep track of responsibilities and progress, even when working on more complex tasks.

You can create subtasks directly in the task dialog of a parent task. In the Subtasks section, click Create subtask, enter a name and confirm your entry.

The created subtasks are then listed directly in the parent task. You can change the order of the subtasks using drag & drop.

Like regular tasks, subtasks have their own status. You can change the status directly using the status icon in front of the respective subtask. Depending on the workflow used, different statuses are available.

The progress bar above the subtasks shows the percentage of completed subtasks.

Assigning and editing subtasks

Like regular tasks, subtasks can be assigned to one or more people and edited separately. You can assign one or more people using the person icon.

If a subtask is assigned to a person, they can also access and edit the subtask via My Tasks.

Subtasks can also be opened directly. The task dialog provides the familiar properties of a task, such as status, priority, start and due date, planned/actual values, description, dependencies and files.

Nested subtasks / hierarchy levels

Subtasks can also contain further subtasks. Subtasks can be created across up to 6 additional levels. Together with the parent task, this provides up to 7 hierarchy levels.

Subtasks can be edited independently at each level and can have their own assignees, status, dates, priorities and planned/actual values.

For planned/actual effort and costs, Auto-update effort/costs can be used to determine whether the respective values are automatically taken from the direct subtasks and summed up.

The following options are available:

• Planned effort from subtasks
• Planned costs from subtasks
• Actual effort from subtasks
• Actual costs from subtasks

For more information about calculating planned/actual effort and costs, see the article Subtask and task dependencies.

Dependencies and scheduling

Like regular tasks, subtasks can have dependencies. This allows you to define scheduling relationships between tasks and subtasks.

Scheduling behavior depends on the scheduling mode used in the project as well as any existing dependencies and date constraints. Changes to start or due dates can therefore affect dependent tasks.

For nested subtasks, dates are also managed on the respective task. The dates of a parent task are not automatically derived from the dates of its subtasks.

For more information, see the articles Scheduling Mode: Fixed Dates or Fixed Duration and Deadline Restrictions for Tasks in Automatic Scheduling.

Converting tasks and subtasks

An existing task can be converted into a subtask of another task. Open the three-dot menu of the task and select Convert to subtask. Then select the desired parent task.

A subtask can also be converted back into a standalone task. Open the three-dot menu of the desired subtask and select Convert to task. The subtask is removed from its existing hierarchy and becomes a standalone task in the project.

You can also delete a subtask via the three-dot menu.

Subtasks in the timeline

Subtasks are not displayed as separate tasks in the timeline. If a parent task contains subtasks, this is indicated by a corresponding icon on the parent task.

FAQ

Can a subtask contain further subtasks?

Yes. Subtasks can contain further subtasks. Together with the parent task, up to 7 hierarchy levels are available.

Are planned/actual values automatically derived from subtasks?

Yes, optionally. Using Auto-update effort/costs, you can specify whether planned/actual effort and costs are taken from the direct subtasks and summed up.

Can tasks and subtasks be converted into each other?

Yes. A task can be assigned to a parent task using Convert to subtask. A subtask can also be converted back into a standalone task using Convert to task.

Are the dates of a parent task automatically derived from its subtasks?

No. The dates of a parent task are not automatically derived from the dates of its subtasks. For nested subtasks, dates are managed on the respective task.