Nested Projects?
shibu
via web
Hey Guys,
Great work on the N2 build. It's looking great and not too drastic
of a change. Something I was looking for in N1 and was hoping to
see something of the sort in N2 was nested projects. A strict
definition of a project according GTD is any action that requires
more than one step. It would be great to nest projects within each
other to create micro-projects that help fulfill the
macro-project.
Just a thought! If there's another solution you've created for this, let me know!
Thanks,
2 Posted by josvandervoort on 25 Jan, 2011 08:44 PM
Please ley me know too...
3 Posted by Proximo on 25 Jan, 2011 10:25 PM
Been suggested by many.
I still think this is a good option to have but I am being very careful with complicating the GTD process. I recently realized that I don't need the ability to deal with parallel task in a project because it complicates the process.
Not saying nested project are not needed, but I would need to really consider the use of the feature and if it complicates my process, I will not use it. :-)
4 Posted by TheDude on 27 Jan, 2011 10:14 AM
Sorry ... for any half-decent, semi-sophisticated GTD system based on a software platform, nested tasks/projects is ESSENTIAL (yes, I do feel strongly about it).
I cannot see how any GTD system (as software) beyond a shopping list can hope to operate well without nested tasks/projects.
Believe me, I have tried.
Sorry, Proximo - I don't know you, and I don't know Nirvana that well - but I understand you are a 'go to' guy at Nirvana and I'm not trying to be mean.
But I just read a post from Microsoft about why they didn't implement subtasks in Outlook. It was a cop-out and it sounded just like your post above. Something along the lines of 'our users don't really need it'. Cop out.
I do like nirvana, it is uber-slick, but I will continue with other apps that do support nested projects/tasks until it is supported at nirvana.
(Note: yes, this is the functionality people, including me, will pay for so think about it).
Thanks,
5 Posted by Chris Webb on 27 Jan, 2011 01:27 PM
@TheDude - Proximo is more than capable of defending himself but if I may make a point or two on his behalf as well as some more general observations.
I think you're labouring under a misunderstanding here that:
a) Proximo is part of the development team as opposed to just being an incredibly helpful and generous member of the forum ;
b) that he has actually said anything other than he personally doesn't have a direct need for nested projects (I'm sure you're not trying to tell him he doesn't know his own requirements) :-) and
c) that anyone who IS part of the development team have ruled out nested projects as being part of Nirvana once it's moving forward.
Let's not forget that the product is still in beta with a long list of functional requirements and fixes in front of the team.
If I may quote you some advice from your namesake in the brilliant Cohen brother's film - "Relax, man" ;-)
6 Posted by TheDude on 27 Jan, 2011 09:55 PM
Chris, you are, of course, right.
Proximo, sorry if it came off harsh but I have seen a few occasions where subtasks have been relegated as a topic because it is seen as 'not important' by users (Microsoft themselves!). It keeps happening.
It is just complete frustration.
What is it with nested projects/tasks that is such a tripping point. There are so few apps out there that support it and, to me, it's the only thing worth having software for!
I'm still stuck on some ancient listpro app from the 18th century because they were the only ones to get it right, but it's ancient and really showing its age. I can only think of one other in the 21st century that does it, and has mobile support and even that i don't really love.
Oh well.
Yours
Frustrated.
TheDude can't abide this ...
7 Posted by TheDude on 28 Jan, 2011 08:40 AM
Ok, after a serious trawl through options, the following is the only one that almost comes close.
It lets you outline your tasks (set some tasks as projects, folders, etc), and then has a to-do list based on the dependencies (next actions).
http://www.mylifeorganized.net/
It looks soooooo unbearably Windows Mobile Old School and soooo 18th century that a serious point has to be made here.
Why is it that I am considering spending money on an 18th century looking app, when all the new age Web 2.0 apps are available?
This is a battle cry to the entire task-management-app community. You MUST be able to do better ...
Everyone at the moment seems to have this this mentality: Yes, to do list, GTD kind of web layout, yes, iphone app, yes, ummmm, add some tags, yes ...
NONE OF IT IS ORIGINAL. IT'S ALL THE SAME. WHO IS GOING TO INNOVATE?
Geebus, I feel like I'm on a Christian Bale freakout session over task dependencies ... this is a bad place to be in life ... but come on guys ... innovate.
No offence meant!
8 Posted by Steve on 28 Jan, 2011 04:21 PM
I would just like a way to group similar type projects. Nested projects would fit that need, so would a folder structure for projects.