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How to Manage Subtasks in Wunderlist
Edited 2 weeks ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team
WunderlistSubtasksTask ManagementWorkflowProductivityHierarchyWindowsMacDetailed TasksProject Management
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Wunderlist was a powerful and easy-to-use task management app that allowed users to create lists, tasks, and subtasks to effectively organize their personal and business projects. Although Wunderlist is no longer available as it was replaced by Microsoft To Do, understanding how to manage subtasks in Wunderlist provides valuable insight into task management that can be applied to similar modern tools.
Understanding subtasks
Subtasks are smaller, actionable items that are part of a larger task. They allow you to break down complex tasks into more manageable parts. In task management, creating subtasks is an effective way to organize your tasks by breaking them down into smaller steps, ensuring that you don't overlook any important components of a task. The detailed information provided by subtasks helps to schedule time, allocate resources, and track progress on a more detailed level.
Why use subtasks?
- Clarity: Subtasks provide clarity on what needs to be done to complete a larger task.
- Progress tracking: They allow you to track the progress of a task more precisely by marking off smaller tasks.
- Motivation: Completing subtasks provides a sense of accomplishment, which can motivate you to continue working on the larger task.
- Organization: Subtasks help organize ideas and tasks into a coherent sequence, making the larger task easier to execute.
Creating subtasks in Wunderlist
Creating subtasks in Wunderlist is a straightforward task. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create them:
Step 1: Open Wunderlist and go to a task
First, open the Wunderlist app on your device. Go to the list where you want to add or manage a task. Click on the specific task where you want to create a subtask. This will open a detailed view of the task with options to add more information, such as a description, due dates, and more.
Step 2: Add subtasks
When viewing the detailed Tasks panel, you will find a section called Subtasks. Click the Add Subtask button, which allows you to type the name of the subtask you want to add. Press Enter to create the subtask. Repeat this process for each subtask you want to add under Tasks.
Step 3: Organize the subtasks
Once you have added all the necessary subtasks, you may want to organize them. Wunderlist allows users to reorder subtasks by dragging and dropping them into the desired order. This feature ensures that you can effectively prioritize actions and maintain the order of execution that best suits your workflow.
For example, if you have a task called Preparing for a Presentation, your subtasks might include researching topics, creating slides, practicing the presentation, and getting feedback. Arrange these subtasks in the order that is appropriate for their execution.
Step 4: Specify due dates (optional)
If you want to keep track of when each subtask is to be completed, you can assign due dates to each of them. This option helps ensure that each step towards the completion of the task is completed on time. Note that although Wunderlist allows assigning due dates to overall tasks, subtasks often inherit due dates from their parent tasks.
Checking subtasks
As you progress through your tasks, it becomes essential to mark subtasks as completed. To mark a subtask as complete in Wunderlist, simply click the checkbox next to the subtask's name. This action gives you visual feedback that some part of the task is complete, reinforcing your progress and sense of accomplishment.
Using notes and comments
In addition to sub-tasks, Wunderlist allows users to add notes and comments to individual tasks. Use this feature to note any related information, instructions, or context needed to complete sub-tasks. Enhancing tasks with detailed notes can provide clarity and prevent you or your team from forgetting important details.
Collaborate on subtasks
One exciting feature of Wunderlist was the ability to collaborate with other users. If you are working on a project as part of a team, you can share lists and tasks with others. Subtasks can be discussed, assigned, and updated collaboratively, ensuring that everyone involved stays on the same page.
For example, if you are working on a marketing campaign, share the task and its subtasks with your team members. Assign different subtasks to different team members and use the comments section to communicate updates or bottlenecks on specific parts.
Benefits of managing subtasks
Carefully managing subtasks has several benefits to productivity and organization:
- Better focus: By breaking down tasks into subtasks, you can focus on one small task at a time instead of getting overwhelmed by the entire project.
- Better time management: When tasks are broken down into subtasks with due dates, it becomes easier to realistically allocate time and effectively manage deadlines.
- Efficient work distribution: Tasks from sub-tasks can be shared among team members or prioritized according to importance and urgency.
- Advanced problem-solving: By highlighting each component of a task, subtasks enable a more detailed approach to identify and resolve potential problems before they escalate.
Changes at Microsoft
Ever since Microsoft acquired Wunderlist and integrated its features into Microsoft To Do, former users have migrated to the new platform. Fortunately, Microsoft To Do has retained most of Wunderlist's core functionality, including the creation and management of sub-tasks, known as Steps, in the new app.
Conclusion
Subtasks in task management applications like Wunderlist or its successor Microsoft To Do are invaluable in achieving an organized, efficient, and productive workflow. Understanding how to manage subtasks helps individuals and teams achieve their objectives more systematically. By thoughtfully breaking down tasks into smaller, actionable parts, users can increase their focus, ensure timely progress, and collaborate effectively.
Although Wunderlist is no longer available, its legacy continues to influence task management practices. By adopting the principles and techniques outlined above, you can harness the power of subtasks to boost productivity in any context, using modern tools that carry the torch from Wunderlist.
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