Forums / Ideas

+1

Posted 7 years ago

ranbarton

Without wishing to complicate RTM, this would be great.

Posted 7 years ago

I want this too.

Posted 7 years ago

elbaso

This is a good idea that I would want also, but it's important to me that the simplicity of the interface be maintained.

Posted 7 years ago

+1

This would be great for me. I have many projects that can be broken down into tasks, subtasks, etc. Currently I can work with this by creating extra lists for subtasks, but it's a clunky work-around.

Posted 7 years ago

Subtasks that can be collapsed.

Posted 7 years ago

phugel

I have been listing sub-tasks as notes attached to the main task. Works for me. You could also create a separate tab for large multi-step projects and list sub-tasks as individual task on that tab.

Collapsable sub-tasks sounds nice in theory, but I love the simplicity of this interface and I'd hate to see it become cluttered and cumbersome.

Posted 7 years ago

The reason that we haven't done subtasks is that it would be extremely difficult to do without complicating the interface (and we've already packed a fair few features into this interface :)

Not to say that we would never do it in the future -- but it would require some serious thought to ensure the simplicity of Remember The Milk was maintained.

Posted 7 years ago

Well, indeed that's the dilemna. Everyone around here seems to think you've made pretty good decisions about the interface, and certainly there are some pretty poor interfaces on 'competing' tools. (Though to be fair, people who don't like it might not stick around long enough to post in the forums!)

So might it be possible to hide away something in the settings to "turn on" a more advanced interface for those that decide they want it? Maybe once this and some other wishlist items have appeared it might be easier to see how to add some more advanced things in this way.

Posted 7 years ago

One simple way to implement this could be just indented lists in the current interface.

* TasK (V) <-- this will fold or unfold the subtask list
o Subtask1
o Subtask 2


You'll need to have a little more info in the right pane when a subtask is showing and some keyboard shortcuts. Some constraints/more options on when a task can be marked as completed (depending on subtasks).

I'd like this too, obviously.

Posted 7 years ago

jed.hresko

I vote for subtasks too... this is the first limitation I came up against.

Posted 7 years ago

Yep need nested tasks

Posted 7 years ago

I would really like this feature as well. I have 4 lines worth of tabs of lists which means that I have less and less space to list the actual tasks. Some level of heirarchy would make all the difference to me.

Posted 7 years ago

Please....subtasks. That would make RTM works with my life. Please.

Posted 7 years ago

UPDATE (READ ME!): The following was posted loooong ago when we'd just launched tagging and Smart Lists. We had no plans to introduce subtasks at that time, but a lot has happened since then! It's best to ignore things I said in 2006. :) We've been listening very closely to the feedback everyone has been providing, so watch this space (or um, follow our blog for the latest announcements).

Thanks! :)

***

As we've now provided several ways to organize tasks (tags, lists, and Smart Lists), we have no plans to introduce subtasks.

A workaround for subtasks might be to use lists and tags -- for example, I have a list named 'Shopping', and within that list I've tagged tasks with 'supermarket', 'mall', etc. I can then view tasks tagged with 'supermarket' in my 'Shopping' list, which helps to break down the list.

Hope this helps!

Posted 7 years ago

I've been using RTM for a few weeks. I was about to suggest the "subtask" feature before I did a search to find this thread.

I support nested tasks or subtasks.

I'm wanting something like:

# buy concert tickets
# website redesign
# covert database to xml
# update css
# find new hosting provider
# install wordpress
# mail photos to Erin

I feel that listing the "subtasks" as individual tasks would clutter up my RTM main tasks page, so I don't want to add them.

It appears that RTM isn't really suited for project management. However, I must say, that in my search for decent project management software, I haven't found any that I want to use. I got excited when I first found RTM. I think it's a great tool for personal use. However, I'm hoping it will expand its features to better support project management.

Thanks.

Posted 7 years ago

Sorry, I had started a new subtask thread before finding this one.

I've just started using RTM and will check out the lists and tags features.

Thanks!!!

Posted 7 years ago

It will be greate to have the subtasks feature.

Posted 7 years ago

I think RTM works great for what it is -- personal task management. I don't think adding subtasks is a good idea for that very same reason. If you want to manage a work-related project, I would suggest using an actual project management application. Basecamp is what I use, and it works very well in that respect.

Posted 7 years ago

I can understand why the developers don't wish to implement subtasks.
The 'solution' of using lists/tags is a good one in general, though there is a possible problem of having too many lists/tags?
Has anyone tried this as a simple project management online tool?
http://www.ioutliner.com/
Hope it's ok to post the link

It is fairly basic, but has a neat way of adding/moving task. Certainly not a replacement for RTM, but maybe something also to use

But I'm going to pursue using lists/tags for now and see how it goes

Posted 7 years ago

I initially wanted subtasks as well and suggested this Emily. I got the reply as above from her and I have to say now, that I totally agree with her.

Adding subtasks would complicate the view of the site - which is the strong point of RtM and it would trigger a whole lot of other requirements such as interdependencies between subtasks and before you know it, this is a project management tool and not an action list tool.

I suggest reading the "Getting Things Done" book by David Allen and understand why simple lists (Actions, Projects, WaitingFor, Someday/Maybe) sorted by e.g. @Office, @ Home, @Car, @Online etc. rules. Being able to add multiple tags even improves upon the GTD approach! You will not be able to do this by using a hierarchy of tasks.

Posted 7 years ago

+1

Subtasks will be a challenge to implement, but would be great. To anyone who said it will be simple....it seems that way till you think about the details.

Nonetheless it would be a huge feature for a lot of people.

Also agree with the above comment about turning it on/off to keep the interface simple.

Reading the above -> I wonder if a label could be a task which can't be "completed" till all tasks with that label are. You could sort of nest these, but that might be too wierd.

Posted 6 years ago

I wouldn't want this because of the aforementioned cluttering of the interface.

Perhaps you could just create a list to represent your main task, and then the subtasks go in that list. Then once you are done with the subtasks and the main task, just archive the list.

Or you could organize a pseudo hierarcy with tags and smart lists.

RTM is functional just enough to allow for these things to be artificially implemented by each user than to force every user to deal with it.

Posted 6 years ago

If it were possible to turn this feature on/off then I think it would be incredibly helpful for those that would use it. And not affect the others.

I for one, would like to see subtasks and a way of ordering them. But recognize that it is no easy feat to implement and causes future enhancement delays as the level of complexity increases.

Posted 6 years ago

+1 indented subtasks, simply set from the right hand toolbox via a "parent task" dropdown of tasks in the same list. or perhaps linked tasks? Realise the other ways of tagging tasks, I will try that and for now I will keep notes against each task. Is there a feature request to show the notes under each task (the first 15-20 words or so) with a [+] expand button to show the full notes. This would allow ppl to quickly browse their notes for a task and for me would negate the need for sub-tasks. Cheers, love the simple-ness of the app interface.

Posted 5 years ago

I would really like sub tasks as well. I found RTM after looking at Things (http://www.culturedcode.com/things/). Things is the perfect solution for what I want except it's not online.

Posted 5 years ago

I would REALLY love to see this implemented!

Posted 5 years ago

+1 - this would be huge.

Posted 5 years ago

furet

Ohhhh yes ! I vote for this. It would be easier to manage tasks by the GTD principles.

:-)

Posted 5 years ago

I use Remember the milk to help me to control my projects. I know I need a tool for project management, but, if RTM could implement subtasks it wolud be very helpful for me.

Posted 5 years ago

another "me too"

Posted 5 years ago

casden

I have to agree that this is by far the #1 issue that I would love.

Posted 5 years ago

I also think that subtasks feature would make an extra positive difference pro RTM. And there is no conflict between GTD system and subtasks! Could subtasks feature could maybe be included as a pro user option. I think it would be a very useful implementation for RTM, specially if not the only possibility regarding the interface, but as an extra and valuable feature.

Posted 5 years ago

Yes, it is what I mainly miss. It would be even nicer if they are automatically dependent tasks - In other words, they show on my list of things to do next only after the prior item in the list is completed - and all default to the do date of the "master" item.

Posted 5 years ago

:-/

I just got 'April Fooled' by the subtasks thing - you almost had my $25. Not cool. Or particularly funny.

Anyway +1 fwiw

Posted 5 years ago

rajjan

Well, I think that was rather funny.

Please observe that the poster was Emely, not Emily.

Posted 5 years ago

As a web app programmer, I understand the complication that sub-tasks could add to the UI... but... perhaps there could be categorized lists or 'sub-lists' instead. That way, all that needs to be accounted for is a hierarchical relationship between the lists and not really the tasks.

For example: Most of my tasks are broken down by "Work" and "Personal"... but under work I might have a few lists... such as "Admin Tasks", "Project 1", "Project 2" ... or for "Personal" I might have "Outdoor work" to remind me of yearly maintenance around the house or "Cleaning" or "Workout" ...

I realize that there is tagging, and being new to RTM I have to play with this to see if it can help me w/ organization, but categorization of my lists so that my "Tasks" view doesn't have a million lists in it seems like it would be helpful.

Posted 5 years ago

rajjan

One way to get some subtask functionality could be tweaking the excellent Grease Monkey script (Firefox/Opera only) by masnare. See more in www.rememberthemilk.com/forums/tips/2943/

One way to implement subtasks:

Posted 5 years ago

mash it up! if rtm doesnt use sub tasks then make use of the url link you can add onto a task to link through to sproutliner or ioutliner, this is my approach i like the siplicity of rtm and it works for me 99% of the time for bigger projects i link across. it would be great to see this embedded into rtm as standard but can understand why they dont

Posted 5 years ago

Yes!

Sub-tasks are the one feature I miss in all the GTD tools i've tried. I don't want the bloat of MS Project, but my goals do require more than a single action to complete.

I'll use the list/tag/label workaround suggested above until then.

Posted 4 years ago

I've just signed up for RTM and within 5 minutes I was looking for a sub-task option. All I need is to be able to add a few check boxes to a task, each with my own label. All of the 'clutter' (tags, location, reminders etc.) could remain at the task level. Using notes or tags is messy and fiddly and actually detracts from the simplicity of the tool.

Posted 4 years ago

I like how these guys do subtasks...

http://todoist.com/

Very easy to use and very flexible and able to do as many subtasks as required (ie. sub sub sub sub task).

I don't understand why rtm doesn't have subtasks. It was also the first thing I looked for when I signed up. Its also the only reason why I don't use rtm much, because theres no subtasks.

Posted 4 years ago

I've moved to todoist.com, they actually seem to rate functionality.

Posted 4 years ago

mauriceka

Perhaps the word of a PRO user is listened to more carefully:

I also would love to have collapsible, recursive sub-tasks. Should not be complicated to implement (parent references in the data structure) nor to present to the user (tree widgets are used all over and are familiar to most users).

It should be implemented in a way that if a user does not create any sub-tasks, the UI will not change.

Please do not make me regret paying the subscription fee.

Posted 4 years ago

This is fairly simple to do with the existing structure. I do it for work:

Create a task for your first sub-task. For example:

Rewrite interface logic to robot

Tag this with your main project name. I use a predecessor character for organization.

+Packaging_Rewrite, @work, na

This indicates that it is part of the packaging system rewrite project, it is performed at work, and it is a next action.

Add the rest of your subtasks in the same way.

Finally, do a search for +Packaging_Rewrite. Save this as a smart list called Packaging Rewrite. The tab is your project, inside of that are your subtasks.

You can go a step further. Create a task called Packaging_Rewrite. Tag it as:

*Projects, +Packaging_Rewrite

Again, search for tag:*Projects. Smart list it. Now you have a list of your projects, and each project has a list of sub tasks.

Is the interface layout exactly what you want? Probably not. Does it accomplish the same thing that you are looking for? YMMV, but it works quite effectively for me!

Much of this concept was inspired / directly stolen from this thread:

http://www.rememberthemilk.com/forums/tips/2943/

--Tutunkommon

Posted 4 years ago

Quite nice workaround... but it still remains a workaround.

I work for a software developing company and it never seize to amaze me the sometimes unexpected strong and sudden explicit conviction of the developers about to specifically do or specifically don't do things (change requests) in a certain way, in spite that there are dozens (in RTM-case probably: thousands) users and even co-workers and bosses literary screaming for certain changes in the software.

Mostly after months of hours and hours of endless debates and mind wrestling, begging, teasing, bargaining and threatening they suddenly 'flip a switch' and built it in a few hours and present it as if it was self-evident.

(And, my dear RTM-developers, of course: receive the world fame and glory during the standing ovation of masses of happily surprised customers who are all eagerly empty their wallets for you, and you will all get promoted to your dream job you have worked your whole life for!)

Posted 4 years ago

This discussion shows that there is a real need (should I friendly say a lack ? ) for a "project" notion (or level) in RTM.

of course lists can be used for that (as suggested by Doug in RTM blog) but then lists can not at the same time gather tasks of the same field (because we would like thos lists to list projects too among tasks).

some kind of hierarchy is needed : a project level

At the same time I understand the motivation behing RTM people (Emily) that one of the magic of RTM is making a boring subject (to do lists) an enjoyable application we go to with pleasure.

For that simplicity, in the line of the original concept has to be maintained.

I think this is possible, the two requirement (project and simplicity) are conciiable, RTM people should think on how to do it simple and well.

but I think neglecting any of the two requirement would be an error

1) neglecting simplicity and attractivity of RTM would end in RTM not staying RTM anymore and people could walk awy from it

2) neglecting the need for a project notion, would be neglecting a real and durable need in to do list and GTD and sooner or later people needing it would leave, reluctantly but still leave for applications dealing with the project level. That would be too a bad news for RTM people.

so it is up to RTM people to find the appropriate means to deal with a project level (or hierarchy) in RTM, but in everybody's interest we'd like them to find one.

I'm not sure the best way is by adding sub-tasks, it would indeed transform RTM in something more complicated.

why not use projects that could includes tasks and could be listed in lists (?).

Any way I think the idea for subtask, like the idea of gathering lists in tabs or any other way of list gathering stem from the same reason : "finding an appropriate way to deal with projects".

so RTM people we are with you, find the solution, we can help you choosing or selecting among alternatives

and may the milk be with you

Posted 4 years ago

- 1

The existing smart lists are much more elegant solution.

Posted 4 years ago

this is a way of doing it but here are my arguments to explain why it does not meet the objective :

- you do not have project attributes (next action, etc.)
- you rely only on tags that you manually enter :
let us say a tag for the project name, a tag for next action etc.

the thing is that it is far too manual, the risk is that you omit one of your tags or your make a typo error and the system is not consistent.

and if it sufficed then why would RTM have lists at all ?, it could also be done with tags and smart list

and going further on that logic why not do everything with text files etc.

like Emily said one key advantage of RTM is that simplicity,
you have tasks and lists as elements on which you can develop smart lists.

I think there is a need for a (simple) project element, with some relevant attributes that could then take advantage too of smart lists for further people personnal elaboration.

but to me smart list are not appropriate to substitute for a project level, that in my view :

- has to be able to gather tasks
- has to be able to be listed in lists
(and has to have some relevant project attributes)

Posted 4 years ago

I would really like real sub-tasks :)

Posted 4 years ago

i want subtasks

Posted 4 years ago

sub tasks do not really make sense because what is a task with sub tasks ?

- a project

a project is any task that require more than 1 task to be completed

it perfectly makes sense that a project contains tasks and project

example :

I have the project "sell my house"

it could be in the list : "housing" in which you would find the other project : "find my next house"

back to project "sell my house", it could contains projects such as :
"assess worth of my house", "refresh my house for better looking and selling","find the best and least commissioned way to sell it"

in the project "assess worth of my house" you find the following tasks :
-"identify 3 housing assessing expert"
-"contact housing assessing expert 1 for an appointment"
-"contact housing assessing expert 2 for an appointment"
-"contact housing assessing expert 3 for an appointment"
-"determine the price of the house synthesizing the 3 experts results"

Now remarks :

1) imagine the mess if each project is a list mixed with original lists like "housing"

=> projects should not be implemented by lists if lists keep their current signification

=> you have to have an "atomic" level of to-do action, ie an elementary action that need not be further subdivided

in my opinion this is RTM tasks so subtasks are not necessary if
project level exist.

Many GTD people consider that any to-do action that require more than 1 elementary actions is a project.

Posted 4 years ago

I agree that sub tasks would be nice. I am using lists now to contain big projects but sometimes I have a simple thing (a little project) that has some components (sub tasks).

Posted 4 years ago

I would also like to have subtasks.

Posted 4 years ago

+1 for collapsing subtasks

Posted 4 years ago

and another +1 for collapsing subtasks

Posted 4 years ago

+1

Posted 4 years ago

+1 for sub-tasks/dependent tasks...
RTM is very flexible and some people have found some ingenious ways of using its current interface in many ways BUT all of the ingenious implementations I've seen on these forums for managing nested tasks/ sub-tasks/dependent tasks are NOT simple or elegant, but turn using RTM into something arcane, complicated and non-intuative which is not what it should be.

Anyone who is trying to make a list of tasks will find that some depend on others or one task is better written as sub-tasks (and I dont want to have 15 projects!) This is the one thing that makes rtm frustrating.

Sometimes adding functionality complicates things, sometimes it can simplify things...
Maybe there is a way and preserve rtm's simplicity, elegance, and flexibility?

Posted 4 years ago

I don't like hearing that adding features has to complicate things.

Good award winning developers (hint...hint...) find ingenious ways of implementing obviously high demand features without complicating things at the same time. Sub tasks does NOT have to complicate things if implemented correctly. Folks that don't want to use them don't have to but folks who do, can. toodledo (horrible interface btw...) has done this by turning off subtasks by default but letting the user who wants that functionality to turn it on in their individual preferences. Ingenious... no?

Implement sub tasks yesteday please.
:)

Posted 4 years ago

haylo75

Whew, I just read this entire thread and have to agree that subtasks are a must. I considered upgrading to pro, but as I was digging through the FAQ and such I found that subtasks are not implemented and, at least as of January 2006, is not on RTM's development radar.

This is lamentable as I love the mobile and sync integration, but I'm going to continue shopping other solutions as the lack of subtasks is a deal breaker for me.

I perfectly understand the nested / multi tagging solutions, but they are a band aid and end up making it a lot more work than it should be. I'd be willing to bet that if subtasks were implemented, most if not all of these nested tag hacks would vanish into the ether... for South Park fans, picture Cartman's hand waving around after J-Lo jumps off the bridge in "Fat Butt and Pancake Head".

I like tacos y burritos

Posted 4 years ago

I just signed up for RTM. I am looking for something to manage personal tasks such as finance, kids, household, etc. Sub tasks are so logical. For example I need to get the kids registered for school but need to get a sports physical for one and eye tests for all of them before that. I also am planning on staining the deck but I need to pressure wash it, pick up the stain and supplies. These type of lists really lend themselves to sub tasks.

Posted 4 years ago

This seems ridiculous.... For as many users that have requested this and it not be implemented. It is an embarrassment....

Posted 4 years ago

Please count me in on the list for the FEATURE REQUEST of SUBTASKS.

I like everything that RTM is offering, but the lack of SUBTASKS is pushing me towards other options.

SUBTASKS are much easier to link to the original task/project then creating a TAG. When you create the TAG you are doubling the effort and often times if you don't remember what TAG you assigned to the initial project you end up creating a new one.

It is much easier to scan your todo lists, locate the TOP level task/project and add a SUBTASK to this initial entry.

Please ADD this feature ASAP as it is something I would most definitely pay for!

Posted 4 years ago

apgordon

-1

I really don't want subtasks. I think it's easy to do this by defining a project with a certain tag (.project or whatever) and then making a smart list with the "subtasks" required. I think this will really take away from the lightweight, clean look of this application.

@phugel
Yes, same here. When I create a task, it's the ultimate goal. Then I keep track of progress and what else needs to be done in the notes section. It's great to have all information regarding a task in one place -- especially if I need to reference back after the task is completed. I have a running log of everything that took place to get that task finished.

Posted 4 years ago

The other way to do it would be to add a note. When all things in the note are done, the task is completed. Use of tags gets me most places. I'd prefer not to overcomplcate the interface and would like an even simpler one.

Posted 4 years ago

apgordon

@ianm17
Right on.

Posted 4 years ago

put me on the list for subtasks and ill upgrade to pro in a heartbeat....

sad that this has been requested almost 3 years ago and still has not been implemented. I don't know what the big deal is about implementing this feature. If your subscriber base wants it and there is a potential to bring in revenue for the feature I don't see a reason not to implement it.

Posted 4 years ago

apgordon

The issue: "The reason that we haven't done subtasks is that it would be extremely difficult to do without complicating the interface (and we've already packed a fair few features into this interface :) Not to say that we would never do it in the future -- but it would require some serious thought to ensure the simplicity of Remember The Milk was maintained."

I don't know what's going on in the RTM staff meetings, but I'm sure they are aware there are many who want subtasks. Isn't it ultimately their prerogative what they do with that information?

Lastly, I'm really confused as to why so many people push so hard for this subtasks feature. Maybe I can't picture what's being requested, but I've always thought the best thing about RTM is how flexible it is; because of this you can create subtasks so many different ways. Maybe the tag system is a little different from other task management tools (I'm not sure), but there are lots of websites and people who've posted in these forums with great ideas on how to keep tasks (including sub tasks) organized.

Posted 4 years ago

Hi!

I would love collapsible, dependent sub-tasks (and sub-projects).

I am currently using the free RTM, but would pay to upgrade to PRO if this were a feature.

I would also feel that I had found nirvana, organization-wise.

As it is, I already feel I'm close to Shangri-La...

Thanks for the work you're doing!

Posted 4 years ago

I would still love to see Subtasks

Here's a greasemonkey script that impliments them (but you have to be mindful of your tags).

http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/27614

As you can see from the screenshot at the bottom, it doesn't seem complicate the UI.

Posted 4 years ago

I'll throw in a +1, though the notes interface allows users to list their subtasks there as well (not as ideal because you can't click "complete" but still a place to group subtasks under a main task). So, if notes usability was improved as noted in the other thread, the need for subtasks might dissipate.

Posted 4 years ago

I really want subtasks too - I would probably even be willing to pay for pro if it had subtasks.
I don't see why this would make anything more complicated - just have some indented subtasks that could collapse under a main task. They don't even have to have tags if that makes it more complicated. I don't think subtasks would go against the basic philosophy of RTM or turn it into some kind of complicated "project management" tool.
It's much messier and more complicated to make a new tab for each task that has subtasks, or use tags to identify some tasks as subtasks of another task, or even to list subtasks in the notes.
I think that categories (i.e. tabs/lists), main tasks, and subtasks is the way most people organize - obviously by the comments lots of people want them. So why is RTM so opposed to subtasks?

Posted 4 years ago

I'd pay for pro if it had subtasks. Perhaps you can offer them as a setting on each list, so that they don't have to be turned on and complicate the interface for users who won't enjoy them.

But for my schedule, anything that would manage my todos must have hierarchy options.

Posted 4 years ago

+1

Posted 4 years ago

The Greasemonkey Script "RTM Projects" is the only reason I am still using RTM without Subtask support and shows just how clean and simple it could look.

Does anyone else feel like they're not trusted to know what they want?

Posted 4 years ago

+1

I too definitely would appreciate having collapsible subtasks to organize which tasks need to be performed in order to complete other tasks. Sure, there are "manual" ways to emulate subtasks, but surely that just demonstrates the demand for the real thing?

Posted 4 years ago

this has to be #1 most requested.

Developers, I know it's your product... but #users vs #devs on this issue surely has to make you wonder if this feature will increase your user-base if not enhance the product?

If every single RoR user requested one feature that went against MVC, surely the higher-ups wouldn't say "No, use tags"?

I stopped using RTM because of this issue, and am only back to see if it's been implemented yet...

Posted 4 years ago

dregourd

Hi everybody,

I agree with RTM designers. Subtasks are a mess to develop. As the number of RTM users is growing (800.000), a subtask feature would complicate the application and turn the interface sluggish.
Look at the BIG actors, like Microsoft Live Calendar new tasks. They don't even have contexts!
There are many ways to implement "subtasks" in your RTM:
If your task contains a lot of subtasks (more then three), don't hesitate to create a list, even with a prefix to link it to its main list (kids, tax, etc.).
If your task does not deserve such a treatment, use the notes, one per subtask. Select your main task, then press Y to create a note, one per subtask. When your subtask is done, you can insert an "ok" or "done" in it.
The Y shortcut is very powerfull: it displays notes and opens a blank field to enter your next subtask.
Use also the "hasNotes:true" smart list to display your "big" tasks and decide if they have to become lists.
Cheers from Paris,
David

Posted 4 years ago

I need subtasks!!! The workarounds described above are clumsy at best.

Posted 4 years ago

i agree - for a service that has put so much into development, and has API's, we've still only seen workarounds.

i don't think it would complicate the interface at all! in fact, it would simplify it for me. this might just be my issue (since no one else seems to have mentioned it), but subtasks are the way i work.

basically, i'll put a task like "plan romantic dinner for friday" on my list of things to do. then, since i have ADD and sometimes have trouble getting started, it really helps me to break the task down into smaller pieces at the time i start working on it. for example, sub-tasks would be:
--look at zagats for restaurant reviews (due: 2 weeks before)
--check ____'s calendar re: availability (due: 2 weeks before)
--make reservation on opentable.com (due: 10 days before)
--check what credit card has enough room on it for the meal (due: day before)
--what to wear? (due: day of)
>>>bring something to work to change into (due: day of)
>>>buy new dress? (start: 2 weeks before; due: day of)

well, you see where i'm going. basically i've got to outline everything in very small steps to keep my head on straight. i don't want to rely on making lists for those things that need to be outlined, since, when i create the task, i usually don't know if i'm going to need to outline it or not. plus, who wants to end up with a separate "list" for every single one of their to-do items? makes the site useless pretty quickly.

and it doesn't really help me to have subtasks in a note, because then each of the subtasks is just a snippet of text - they can't have separate due dates, or separate time estimates, or locations, etc.

what i'd really like to see is the left-hand side (the task-list area) of RTM look something like the task list on Todoist.com, which is not a complex interface at all. it's simply an "outline" or "indent" concept, simply a way of displaying the tasks. plus, it's not like RTM doesn't already have numerous fields that other task managers don't have, like duration,

so, long story short: c'mon, RTM. you've got so many people clamoring for this. what the hell, make it an optional feature, make it a "pro" feature, whatever you need to do. just get it implemented!

Posted 4 years ago

"So might it be possible to hide away something in the settings to "turn on" a more advanced interface for those that decide they want it? Maybe once this and some other wishlist items have appeared it might be easier to see how to add some more advanced things in this way."

I fully second. Subtasks or collapsible task will make rtm a much better tool for me.

Posted 4 years ago

Subtasks would the only sustainable reason for staying with RTM.
+/- expand/collapse
[ ] task [x] subtask of
expand all/collapse all
Profile -> Features -> [x] Enable Subtasks

Not that I want to pay really but having subtasks would pretty much gaurantee my enrollment in pro.

There are those of us who are bent on organization but need to be able to break tasks down to more managable action items and help encourage clear progress markers. This does not constitue Project Management by the way, have a look at the difference between 'tasks' and MS Project. maybe bicycle vs. nuclear submarine?

Posted 4 years ago

Somewhat like sequential or conditional tasks.

For example, if my main task is: "Clean the sink", I can't do that until I've also completed "Buy rubber gloves" and "Wash the dishes".

Posted 4 years ago

Please, give us subtasks! I don't understand why this is complicated and it would not complicate the interface. I have seen some of the competing task managers out there and they are terrible compared to RTM, especially the subtasks function. Not one has a clean, easy interface (one that also works in Gmail) like RTM. All I want is the ability to create a heading and individual tasks underneath.

Posted 4 years ago

Here's another vote for subtasks and a description of how the feature could be combined with other features:
1. As others pointed out, it allows you to better manage projects
2. Combined with a manual (drag and drop) sorting option, would be quite powerful
3. Combined with an "auto next to do" feature would be even more powerful:
For a given project (list), have the first item (that the user sorted manually), get highest priority or get tagged with "next". When that item is checked as "completed", the next item in sort order for the given project automatically becomes "next". No need to keep updating individual projects manually that way!
Thanks

Posted 4 years ago

Subtasks are a must have. Please implement them. +1

Posted 4 years ago

+1 I can't use RTM until subtasks are implemented. At the moment I use a tabbed text file. Some work arounds have been suggested using tags and lists but that seems clunky in the extreme.

I'm sure you can do it without messing up the interface. In the mean time, I'll look for another solution.

Thanks for listening.

Posted 4 years ago

it's been a while since we heard from RTM on subtasks, can someone from the team give us an update as to if we can expect this feature in the near or distant future??

Posted 4 years ago

+1 for subtasks.

I think RMilk is great, so this isn't a slam. But I've notice a significant weakness when it comes to tracking projects as a whole, even in a basic way.

Subtasks are really the group of tasks required to complete a project. The RMilk way to group those tasks is through tagging. Tagging is helpful, but it's not enough to effectively organize and track higher level projects. For instance, there's no way to do something as simple as add a note or project plan to a project, or to mark a project as complete.

I'd recommend that more effort be put into a few simple ways to organize and track projects in addition to tagging.

Posted 4 years ago

+1 for subtasks.

A number of people have made suggestions to make this less "obtrusive":

- Disabling the feature by default, allowing the user to enable it if they want.
- Provide the ability to collapse / expand a specific task or all tasks in the current view to show the subtasks.
- Indent the display of subtasks.

I'd like to see this happen, since the "Lists" to me are categories of tasks, with tags providing further subcategorization. With tabs as an interface to switch between tasks, I'm somewhat reluctant to use longer names, such as I would for projects.

So, I shall put my money where my mouth is, and upgrade to Pro, to show my support for this and other ongoing development.

Posted 4 years ago

+1 for subtasks. I've been considering switching to a desktop application like Things or Omnifocus because of the lack of this feature.

Posted 4 years ago

+1 for me too.... Could someone from RTM, maybe Emily, please comment on this feature? Is it on the horizon and if so, when is it expected? As you can see there is overwhelming support for at least partial implementation of subtasks. Thanks!

Posted 4 years ago

Please give us sublists and subtasks! Begging!

Posted 4 years ago

+1

I need this to integrate RTM into my life. Until then I'm still using a hacked together system. This is a must for me!

Posted 4 years ago

+1

Well Subtasks are the feature that hold me back from useing this more. I need to buy My Life Organized to get this feature.. and that is not online...

Posted 4 years ago

Could use subtasks too. Throw in another vote. Would love to upgrade if that was avail.

Posted 4 years ago

Okay, i finally signed up for RTM due to the excellent iphone app and upgraded to pro and i can't believe that this thread was started back in late 2005, almost 3 years ago and the RTM devs STILL haven't implemented subtasks. All i've read were a bunch of excuses from them on this subject about "complicating" the UI and blah blah blah. They had 3 years to figure out a graceful way to implement subtasks, and yet chose not to. Seriously, RTM devs, if you plan on NEVER implementing subtasks, please just come clean and say so. To drag out what seems to be a highly requested feature for 3 years is quite frankly shameful. I for one would also like subtasks functionality as well. And to those who don't want such functionality, then you simply don't have to use it if it's ever implemented. it shouldn't affect UI and workflows in the slightest for non users if implemented correctly.

Also, it seems like some mentioned that subtasks is contrary to GTD methodology and i have to admit i have never read the chief book on GTD by what ever that guy's name is but how come Omnifocus (which is consider a much more "stricter" implementation of GTD workflows) has subtasks and even subprojects? Toodledo has subtasks as well. Most if not all of RTM's chief competitors have found a way to implement subtasks functionality within their apps. For the RTM to lob one excuse after another for over 3 years as to why they haven't is not acceptable. I love the RTM site and iphone app, but this thread and RTM's lack of action on this issue has really really annoyed me.

I look forward to hearing what the RTM people REALLY plan on doing or NOT doing in regards to this issue. The bottom line is they need to address this in a more serious manner for all of us paying customers.

Posted 4 years ago

Apigo, the creators of ToDo for ipod Touch/iphone are supposedly working on subtasks -- they say on their website. ToDo syncs with both Toodledo and RTM. So if they do it, I suppose we could at least have subtasks on iphone/ipod touch.

Toodledo has subtasks but it's only one level (a subtask cannot have another subtask.) So it's really not that useful to me. I prefer the web-interface of RTM, as well as the time-stamped notes, and like the ical integration as well - even if I can't use subtasks right now, I may bite the bullet and pay for the upgrade so I can use it with ToDo and / or the RTM iphone/ipod touch app.

Posted 4 years ago

yes, sub tasks would be great

how bout the ability to attach a routine to a specific task...especially a reoccuring one. for example: laundry - i need to seperate the coulors, make sure i have chance, fill up the downy balls i use with fabric softner, wash the white and bleach them..etc i would like to be able to have little subtask lists, as well as the ability to save routine sub task lists for reoccuring items.

Posted 4 years ago

hey, everyone
This would be a great feature, but until then, I would like to suggest a great workaround, using Firefox and Greasemonkey.
1-Get Firefox and Greasemonkey
2-Get the scripts mentioned here and learn to use them (at the discussions there are great ideas)

http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/25046 (the Tag Cloud Colorizer)
http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/25050 (Keep Cloud visible, needed for the next one)
http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/26057 (RTM enhanced)

http://www.rememberthemilk.com/forums/tips/2943/(Tag Cloud Colorizer discussion)
http://www.rememberthemilk.com/forums/tips/4475/ (RTM Enhanced, the discussion)

Using the improved tag cloud you can access your projects easily, as was already suggested. And, if you tag every action within a subproject with a special tag you can use one of RTM enhanced's better options: clicking on a tag button (under the normal task info) filters your search through it!
Example:
I want to buy a new house (project)
I need to find housing agency (subproject)
I should look in internet and ask my friends about agencies (actions, both tagged with @buyhouse and @findagency).
If you click on @buyhouse you see everything that has to do with it. Then you can click on the @findagency tag button to see actions that have both tags! In this way you can organize your actions.
Hope it was clear for everyone!
Victor

Posted 4 years ago

yep, I'd totaly dig subtasks

Posted 4 years ago

+1 This is the ONLY reason I will not be renewing my pro account Other than this everything was great

Posted 4 years ago

+1 I spent days implementing the workarounds others have tried, as well as some of my own. All solutions felt like a square peg in a round hole.

With that feature I'd be converting everything over to RTM and becoming an evangelist. Without it, it's unusable for me.

Posted 4 years ago

hey guys, anyone notice that Google just released Tasks for gmail? It has an awesome Outliner built in! Works great. This is what I always wanted RTM to be able to do. It would be nice if they could work together.

Posted 4 years ago

By the way it's a "labs" feature. Here is a link to their blog post:
http://gmailblog.blogspot.com/2008/12/new-in-labs-tasks.html

Posted 4 years ago

Having read all the very thoughtful posts in this thread and thought about the pros and cons, I think nested sub-tasks would make an already wonderful tool indispensable.

Emily, has the development team had a change of heart on this one?

Posted 4 years ago

+1

Loving RTM so far! Subtasks would help - for example I need to remember what date I have committed to someone for the parent task, but then I also need to delegate parts of that task to someone else. Having sub tasks would def make life easier!

Great job guys!

Posted 4 years ago

Even the new barebones Gmail Tasks tool includes a way to "indent" tasks to make subtasks by pressing TAB. You can't get more minimal or simplistic than that. Not only that, you can create subsubsubsubsubsubsubsubtasks if you so choose. Why can't RTM figure it out?

Posted 4 years ago

i love the app, so much so that i decided pretty much straight away went pro. it's exactly what i need. apart from sub tasks! . It's definitely time to revisit having this option here. it's been a couple of years since this thread was started and the consensus here is that it would be extremely useful, and for those who feel it may "clutter" the interface a simple opt in or out button needs to be made to give those folks the option.
so..... where are we? is this actually on the development roadmap?

Posted 4 years ago

I like where this thread is going. Can the anyone from the RTM team confirm what features are on the horizon? Why all the secrecy? It's not like this is the Manhattan Project or something. I get frustrated when the blog talks about what "Bob the Monkey" is up to (ugh), but can't address really fundamental open issues like this one. Can we get an official response on this? If RTM has no plans on supporting this, please let us know so we can switch products to something that meets our needs.

Posted 4 years ago

I totally Agree

Posted 4 years ago

I would love this feature as well. That is basically the only benefit todoist has over RRM. They manage to keep the subtask feature pretty simple and slick. I am sure you could pull it off even better.

Even if this was a feature for pro only, I would upgrade in a heart beat!

Posted 4 years ago

+1

Posted 4 years ago

I want this too and would even be willing to switch to another paid solution if I could find a good Thunderbird-Lightning/google tasks/iPhone application. Anybody know of one? I'm a pro user but would abandon rtm for this feature so whoever comes up with it first gets my money.

Posted 4 years ago

+1

Posted 4 years ago

subtasks would be very appreciated

Posted 4 years ago

eriell

I would also like to have sub tasks supported, though it's really important that the simplicity of RTM is kept. Perhaps it could be activated as a choice in the settings menu?

Posted 4 years ago

I'm in the process of switching to Toodledo solely because it allows subtasks. I'd rather stay with RTM -- among other things, it's much more pleasant to look at, I prefer RTM's search functionality, and RTM is much less mouse-intensive -- alas, the lack of subtasks is a deal-breaker.

Posted 4 years ago

+1

Posted 4 years ago

mauriceka

It is sad to see that RTM is absolutely ignoring this feature request that persistently pops up, over and over again. Shouldn't you listen to your customers? Isn't that what makes an agile start-up like yours what makes it different from anonymous companies that "communicate" with their customers "professionally"?

It seems that you start to "communicating professionally", too. How disappointing!

Patrik

Posted 4 years ago

-1

Simplicity is the main feature of RTM! Do not change this!

;-)

Posted 4 years ago

You know it could be implemented without changing the current interface. So those of you who do not want it do not have to know it is there.

You could even make the task assignments hotkeyed so there are no buttons (just very cool useful hidden functions)

Posted 4 years ago

I really like RTM, but lists and tags are no substitute for subtasks. Todoist implements subtasks and does so quite nicely. I happen to prefer RTM, because it looks prettier and has better integration points.

I hope that the RTM team re-considers this. I would gladly pay for pro if it were included. Even if it was a feature that had to be enabled so that most users don't have the "clutter" of subtasks.

Posted 4 years ago

gmonty

+1 for collapsing subtasks

Posted 4 years ago

I am not sure what to do now. I mean I have never been so aggravated with a dev team before. It just seems that they on purpose ignore these threads. In addition I have asked about the possibility of users contributing to the code base and have received not a single post in that thread after 4 days. I dunno. I really like the way that RTM looks and works with this and the task dependency issue. If not to just shut us all up I think they should add the feature.

Posted 4 years ago

That should have been with the exception of this and the task dependency issue....

Posted 4 years ago

I also would really like to see this feature. In fact, I looked for how to do this for quite a while initially thinking I just must be missing how to do it. BIggest complaint about RTM I have, which I like very much otherwise. Please add this feature, even if you can turn it on/off in the settings for those who don't want to 'complicate' RTM with it.

Posted 4 years ago

I think that it is silly to even post here. I mean the devs obviously are not going to respond and are prob not even reading this. Somebody with more time than me should create BRTM on a different site and basically mimic what has been done here but allow all different features. At least have a page talking about what is being developed, or something.... I would not be as fired up as I am if the devs would come on this thread and at least comment on whether their current stance has changed and why and why not.

Posted 4 years ago

i am pro-subtask feature.
please add.

Posted 4 years ago

uojfe

+1 Subtasks please

Posted 4 years ago

excellent idea!

Posted 4 years ago

mfarango

Emily, subtask it is necessary... sometimes RTM it seems difficult to get Items done because you have a lot of lists, a lot of tags...and no order. It is necessary that you consider to make it easy to use it. There is a tool to be considered Sub tagging!! could be a sustitute of subtasks. Consider it.
Also, I would like notification by lists or Smart lists. I don't want messages all the time from all my lists.

Posted 4 years ago

I could live without sub-tasks if there would be possible to link task to another task.

Having said that subtasks would simplify keeping track of project level of stuff.

Posted 4 years ago

I just signed up and started dumping in tasks from all my paper to do lists. S-weet. Then, tried to figure out how to enter subtasks. Surely an interface this popular must offer such a feature?? Google'd it. Which lead me to here. Really, no "visual" subtasks? Well, I'll try the tagged approach, but just seems tedious just for the sake of a left-justified interface. An indented outline is one of the most elementary organizational tools in existance. How can this be considerd too complex-looking?

Doesn't seem our comments will make the developer's budge, but my $0.02 is that subtasks are a needed feature.

Posted 4 years ago

I agree with most people around... subtasking would be but a GREAT addition to RTM!

"GTDers" (like - almost - me) will find this particularly attractive, since Allen's concept on 'projects' is very very broad (any outcome that requires more than one action is considered a project) and sure RTM could profit well from it - since a lot of GTDers are usually people who see the value of investing a little money in something that could potentially improve their lifes. (ha! who wants a better argument?)

Also, since people keep requesting it all the time, maybe they're taking this long because they're trying to come up with some ultra clever way to implement it whitch will amaze us all lol

Posted 4 years ago

krissy

Hey everyone,

Just a quick note to let you know that subtasks are definitely on the list of suggestions. If I get any information of possible implementation you'll be the first to know :)

Posted 4 years ago

Thank you Krissy. Subtasks would make RTM practically perfect in every way!

Posted 4 years ago

I was ready to say "bleep you, RTM" for not implementing subtasks, if not for Krissy's comment.

However, Krissy, it shouldn't be on the list of "suggestions". It's a MUST, period. Without subtasks, RTM's a little use to me. I wistfully say this after coughing up $25 for the pro account.

Subtasks AND "next action" feature.

Posted 4 years ago

Yes! I will run now run around my room screaming in unexplainable joy! The people around me will look at me funny and think that I am insane. Thank you for this.

Krissy,
Is there a page that lists the other items on the list. To see what you guys are working on. The "next action" feature is almost automatic if you implement the subtasks.... There are so many possibility there.

Posted 4 years ago

Krissy,

Thanks for letting us know that implementing sub-tasks is now officially considered a "suggestion," after the subject has been debated for 3+ years on this thread.

What are the next steps / next actions?

s.

Posted 4 years ago

krissy

Hi everyone,

I would love to give you more information on possible implementation - but at this point I can't. The team is aware of how strong the support is for this feature (and many, many others). As soon as I have info - I will make sure you all hear about it.

@justace Unfortunately we don't have a publicly available list of things the developers are working on. I will pass the suggestion on though.

Posted 4 years ago

+1

Posted 4 years ago

Add my vote for subtasks. I love RTM, but I find the lack of subtasks to be quite a thorn in the side. I started looking at Todoist because of this. However, it lacks the search sophistication of RTM.

For a GTDer like me, subtasks are really needed.

Posted 4 years ago

+1

I love UI of RTM. When I consdered Toodledo instead, I found how the UI is great. I eager to have subtask function on RTM.

Posted 4 years ago

I agree that a list to contain all of the associated tasks for a "project" (any outcome that requires more than one action to complete) would get the job done. I think what I would like is a very simple way to reorder the tasks, like drag and drop. I think I saw that requested somewhere, and it would give me what I'm looking for with just a little extra work on my part.

Posted 4 years ago

I just signed on to Pro, began using, and was dumbfounded that I could not subtask. I simply assumed that a quality program would have this feature. Shame on me for not looking more closely before buying.

After skimming this forum it is obvious the developers are unresponsive to their users.

Posted 4 years ago

+2
(me and a friend)

Posted 4 years ago

bgmontel

+1

Posted 4 years ago

+1

Like many others here, would make RTM very usefull.

Signup last week. Logged in this morning to enter my firsts task, and already needed subtasks.

Thanks.

Posted 4 years ago

-1

I could be very wrong and I'm not going to take the time to look it up, but doesn't Allen's GTD system talk against subtasks and instead of creating projects? That's what I do. Unless RTM were to come up with some incredibly elegant and simple solution, I say "no" to subtasks.

Posted 4 years ago

virat.kadaru

I use RTM daily and the only thing I find missing right now is sub tasks. I really need this feature.

Posted 4 years ago

virat.kadaru

@we.kanes: True, he does say that and doing it is easy, but every time you want to revise the list of task (add or remove something related to a project) its more helpful to see all task related to a particular project together, instead of searching your entire list for them everytime

Posted 4 years ago

grogol

I'm a happy GTD'r and will say that the connection between projects and tasks is a bit of a "hole" in the system, that's why so many GTD'r's struggle with this issue. From what I've heard on GTD Connect and other places the two solutions are: 1) double entry (next steps are listed both on the project and task list); or 2) regular review of both the task AND project list.

The first option lessens the effectiveness of the task manager IMO because it simply becomes a place to check off items that are loosely connected versions of items on your project list. The second option is of course something you should do anyway, but it doesn't help you keep focus when you've completed one step in a multiple step project.

If, like me, you have many complex projects it would be helpful to have the task manager "lead" to the next step in one particular project without having to go back to my project list and then take the time to input another single task back into the task manager.

There's got to be some way to do this in the task manager without creating so many lists. Ideally, the top level task (or project) is listed by priority or alphabetically by default, and each sub task is listed chronologically (not in terms of the date) in the order they must be completed to finish the project. So sub tasks could simply be numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc, with "1" being the next item that needs to be completed.

I would double my pro account fee if this "project load" feature was added!

Posted 4 years ago

+1

Posted 4 years ago

I'm sorry, but I cannot believe that this post, asking for subtasks, originated in 2005 and that RTM has yet to address it. It is 3 1/2 years since this request was made, and the subtask feature continues to be requested by users. Sigh.

Posted 4 years ago

@amswitzer: Well it seems that they have decided to actually implement this idea as per the message from krissy on March 1st.

Posted 4 years ago

Ok, as much as I feel a clean implementation of projects (or sub-tasks) s a must (if you want an easy to use interface, just erase the difference between lists and tasks.) I think there is an easy way to give us some powerful tools fast.

In this thread there are suggestions of workarounds to subtasks by using tags. Unfortunately these workarounds require a lot of extra work to maintain as you need to tag every task. A simple feature that will make this much more tolerable is to add tags to LISTS. I.e. if a task "Task A" is in a List "List B" and "List B" is tagged as "Tag C" - then "Task A" automatically inherits "Tag C". This simple feature would add ability to change using RTM from "Lists" as categories and "Tasks" as tasks and projects, to "Lists" as projects, "Tags" as categories (and tags), and Tasks as simple tasks. You can then create "Smart Lists" around category tags to re-create original Category as List view.

The best thing about this is it should be simple to implement. Add tag field to List and a simple SQL (assiming its a relational DB in the backend of RTM) to join Task and List tags when viewing.

So, how about that?

Posted 4 years ago

+1 and also linked tasks.

So you know the next task and once done the next one in line appears.

Posted 4 years ago

It's simple - I need subtasks to make this a viable system, as do many others. I'm comparing RTM to Toodledo and this is a glaring omission. Can we expect this soon or should I move on?

Posted 4 years ago

>

Bahahahahahahahahaha. Now that's a good one. "Expect this soon". Stop it. You're killing me.

Oh year, it's April 1. Me bad.

Posted 4 years ago

Come on... We're actually paying customers of this service, and as much as I love RTM, you're telling me that all you can say is that it's now a "suggestion" after having been hammered on for over 3 years? That seems, at best, a little disingenuous. Are you guys actually working on this feature or not?

Posted 4 years ago

Give me this feather please!

Posted 4 years ago

Are there any greasmonkey scripts or similar that could make this a possibility?

Posted 4 years ago

@dan.julian - READ MUCH?!

And now I've read the comments...sorry.

Posted 4 years ago

You can add me to the "sub-task" to-do list :-)

I've been on RTM for a day and it's one of the first things I found I needed. Some tasks require a bunch of steps which need to be tracked.

No GANTT charts - just sub-tasks ;-)

Posted 4 years ago

+1

Posted 4 years ago

Went to Toodledo. Subtasks work like a charm. Virtually all the RTM competitors offer subtasks, too.

Posted 4 years ago

Yes, I want it too....please.

Posted 4 years ago

I really like RTM but have been enviously looking at the subtask feature in other products... would definitely go pro for subtasks!

Posted 4 years ago

gotta say as much as I love RTM this is starting to be a deal breaker for me. You folks have a product that is 10 % functionally away from being a complete knock out, but it just really seems stalled out.

Posted 4 years ago

Agreed. I hate to, but I'm currently looking at other options. I just can't take the stress of seeing SO many individual tasks and I don't have the time to do a bunch of weird tagging to make it work.

Also wish I could change the order to whatever I want - the priority thing is way to cumbersome and limited.

Posted 4 years ago

+1

Posted 4 years ago

Although having an account for some time now. I'm just beginning to fill my To-Do list and was wondering why it was so hard to create a subtask. Googling around trying to find how to create a subtask i do now find that this is not possible. This a real showstopper for me. I consider levelling task in tree-form really a primary fucntionality for a To-Do system.

Posted 4 years ago

Pweeeeese RTM we needs the subtasks feature to be awesomes in our jobs/ life and impress our managers/ friends for wage increase/ awesomeness :)

Posted 4 years ago

+1

Posted 4 years ago

+1
I'd love to have this feature too.

It would make RTM my primary TODO software.

Posted 3 years ago

vishrtm

+1
I'd love to have this feature. I reviewed a lot of other list management software like Things, The Hit List etc., but decided to pay up (pro) for RTM 'cause of it's cool and easy interface and the ability to use it anywhere i.e. web, phone, desktop, gadgets etc.

The sub-task feature will definitely push RTM to the top of my list of task management tools.

Posted 3 years ago

conner.marshall

+1

Posted 3 years ago

How about an update please RTM. Is it possible we may get this feature within 6 months or not?

Posted 3 years ago

I've used RTM on and off for a year now and wondered why I didn't gel with it... until I used Todoist today. It's the nested subtasks that makes all the difference!

Apart from this RTM is superior, but without this feature... it doesn't work the way I think, make lists on paper or generally work in life. And that's why I can't be comfortable using it.

Come on RTM, give us subtasks!

Posted 3 years ago

yes, please add subtask. I really need it to help me.
you can even add this to PRO and I will be happy to pay for it.

Posted 3 years ago

+1

I really need it

Posted 3 years ago

+1

I would pay for it.

Posted 3 years ago

Adding my +1 here

Posted 3 years ago

Please add subtasks or at least an update - thx!

Posted 3 years ago

is there any update? Please add subtasks

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

I agree - subtasks please...indented tasks is a good option to not complicate the interface, perhaps with a + / - to show/hide subtasks, with the most recent and last due date rolling up to the parent task

Posted 3 years ago

please give us subtasks!

it´s the only thing missing apart from OutlookSync!

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

please give us subtasks...begging

Posted 3 years ago

I really want sub tasks for doing GTD. I like to create a project and then all the tasks needed to complete that project are subtasks. I create projects for everything so lists are too much.

Then let sub-tasks be "next actions" so that a smart list only shows the next action, not the entire list of sub-tasks.

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Also it would be great to have
1) completion progress status (%%);
2) parent task should calculate its progress status depending on sub-tasks progress

Posted 3 years ago

torfason

It's not the same thing as having it built in, but you may want to check out "RTM Projects", as well as an (fully backwards compatible) extension called "RTM Projects v3" *.

RTM Projects:
http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/27614

RTM Projects v3:
http://userscripts.org/scripts/show/48350

* Full disclosure: The "v3" extension was done by myself.

Posted 3 years ago

Some say created the possibility to make subtasks will complicate RTM. But I think this isn't true. If you create a function in Settings where people can enable or disable the ability to create subtasks, everyone can choose what he/she wants!
If you don't need it, simply disable.
For those who need it, including me, it would be a hell of an advantage!

As many said before: it's the only missing part (besides OutlookSync perhaps, but I don't need that one :P )

Regards,
Mike

P.S. I'm Dutch, so my English might contain some errors.

Posted 3 years ago

RTM is my favorite task manager available today. I say that without reservation. I tried several others (toodledo, todoist, etc) and always came back. What makes me come back is the powerful searching and keyboard shortcuts. What makes me seek out other solutions is the lack of subtasks. The best system I found for denoting subtasks is HNB, an old curses program that ceased development in 2003. The reason I enjoyed it so much was subtasks and watching the percentage done fill up for master tasks.

I would really like either having direct subtasks, in a tree as people mention, or blocking tasks. An example of the latter is that I can't order a shirt for my son until my wife tells me his size (I'm not that informed). The blocked task could disable (or leave enabled with a different color) the checkbox until the blocking task is completed. This could appear in the UI as an extra field in the details as a search so people could do more interesting things with it. In the overview list you could just add an arrow pointing to the right if there is a blocking task. Clicking on it would take you to it. The only thing left is a search keyword "blocks" which will recursively find all tasks that block the task searched for.

The "hacks" that people have given, even in the blog, are a tremendous amount of work that require me to think too hard to keep track of things. Frequently I'll put a task in my inbox like "buy shirt for the boy" and with the hacks I have to start creating lists/tags/etc and delete the original task.....rather than just move it to the correct list "Active" and start adding things that need to be done first.

The nice thing about implementing with blocking is that it is just one more field in the backend db and suddenly you can play with a new feature. See where it goes. I'm among the ton of people that would pay to be in the pool of beta testers.

Posted 3 years ago

Subtasks are something that have been asked for from the beginning (I've been on for two years already).

To be honest, the only thing that stops me from coming up with a good way to do this is the lack of dependent items. Being able to tag something as contingent on another item would be helpful. Right now if I miss a step in a series of to dos, I wind up spending too much time playing with dates, and I wind up not keeping it up.

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

suscribe. +1

Posted 3 years ago

I come back every now and then hoping they implemented subtasks. Guess I'll check again next year!

Posted 3 years ago

I too am dying for "projects." I was using Things for a while -- it's very nice, but it doesn't play well with Blackberry. That's one thing I really like about RTM.... But as a student who uses Things/RTM/etc for both life management and school management, I can't have a list for every paper and every project. It would drive me nuts. And I love tags for certain purposes, but tagging/smart lists are really no better a substitute for projects than making endless lists, if you have a lot of projects.

Check out Things and The Hit List to see how projects can be implemented in a very simple and elegant way, and then check out Omnifocus to see how they can be implemented in a complicated and infuriating way.

So yes, please, this is a make or break feature.

Posted 3 years ago

+1,
but a "Labs Features" would be nice for this.

Posted 3 years ago

+1 for indented subtasks.

Posted 3 years ago

+1 need a simple way to track projects

Posted 3 years ago

+1
just got the Pro. I hope this will be implemented as RTM is the best in every other category, imho.

Posted 3 years ago

+1
Teadious creating tasks and numbering etc sucks

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

All right.... since "kindly asking" for it doesn't help: How much money do you want for this feature to be implemented?

I'm sure if you name your price, we'll figure a way out on how to get there!

Posted 3 years ago

Subtasks are needed. Put the brain power in folks - projects are composed of lots of tasks. It's a natural way of looking at the world and RTM need to reflect that.

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1

With 200+ responses this is a passionate issue.

Posted 3 years ago

Even if this feature was only available by upgrading to PRO, you would definitely have me sold.
Fantastic application and worth every cent.

Posted 3 years ago

hhollick

Count me in on this request! Subtasks are not just for project management. There are a number of things on my list that would be enhanced by subtasks.

Posted 3 years ago

dk_in_c

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1 please

Posted 3 years ago

apgordon

So... I think this could definitely be advantageous.

Another way I've envisioned this could be done (though I think it'd be way more complicated) is being able to "link" a task to another task. That sounds confusing, but here's where I'm coming from.

If I've got a task that's tagged '-waiting,' I'd love to be able to click something and see the task that it's linked to, or, essentially, dependent on. So, theoretically, when I click on this '-waiting' task, on the right hand side would be a link to the '-na' (next action) task that has to happen before this one becomes do-able.

Or, you could just do subtasks. :)

Posted 3 years ago

todd.binder

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1
This would help me a lot.

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Big tasks are made up of small tasks

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Very important for me! I'm really searching for an applikation which handles subtasks. This will make my decision for renewing the pro account.

Posted 3 years ago

I'm hoping to implement sub tasks in my rtm desktop app Rtm Notifier http://rtm-notifier.com within the next couple of weeks

The current version

- has a notification for each due task

- enables you to postpone for 15 mins, postpone for 1 day, complete or delete a task from the tasks notification

- enables you to decide which due tasks you are notified about by switching on / off lists or by tagging a task

- enables you to add tasks

It does have a few more functions but I wont go into every feature here, for more details see http://rtm-notifier.com

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Pocos intervienen en Español, pero creo que es el momento de tener esa función.

Posted 3 years ago

+1 for subtasks!

Posted 3 years ago

mmmore

+1

Sub tasks would definitely help organize my tasks. I happens regularly that I have one activity (task) which actually consist of smaller activities. I could create labels to group the activities together, but that is just not convenient, because then it is not clear what the 'main' task is.

Many thanks in advance.

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Tasks should be able to have a parent and children. I often create a general task and would then like to break it down into subtasks. Some subtasks might be broken into yet smaller tasks, etc. When a parent task is complete, children should also be completed. When a parent has a due date, children should have that or an earlier due date.

This would increase the value of RTM immensely.

Posted 3 years ago

+1 for me too, although what I really want is "dependent tasks" rather than sub-tasks. If something is made of many tasks, it's not a parent task, but a project. What I would like to see is a way to make some tasks dependent on the completion of others.

Posted 3 years ago

+1

I am constantly needing this feature

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1

RTM would be the PERFECT task management app with this feature...

Posted 3 years ago

shai.inbal

+1

Subtasks please!

Posted 3 years ago

Yep, subtasks would be useful.

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

noosphereious

Both subtasks and dependencies are *way too complex* for a personal GTD system.

If you want subtasks, dependencies, gantt charts etc. you need some actual PM software ... however, don't try to make RTM messy with all this nonsense - go use something else!

Posted 3 years ago

dylan.eiler

+1

But I agree. It would have to be implemented just right so as to avoid RTM becoming messy.

Thanks for the active development!

Posted 3 years ago

I vote a big, big yes on subtasks (this might be begging, actually) and it might be a deal breaker for me to make RTM a usable app. With much thanks for the app as it's been developed so far, here are some thoughts:

Separate lists and tags (the workaround kindly suggested by RTM staff) mean I'll either
a) have a bunch of extra lists that I have to think to look at (rather than one true list) or
b) a ton of tagged subtasks that I'd consider clutter when I'm looking for what needs doing and don't want to work on that main task.

The goal here is to streamline the interface, which is admirable, but it also means our view of tasks is anything but streamlined. I'm guessing many users like me spend a lot more time viewing their list to select what needs doing than adding to it or editing it, so for me the importance of keeping things streamlined and clean applies as much to the view and usability of existing tasks than just adding things to the list.

One of the biggest impediments to getting things done, as noted in Barbara Sher's book Wishcraft, is hitting a vague, "Do this" task that has no tangible step to be done today. For example, "Start a new business" isn't something tangible to be done, while "Brainstorm businesses needed in my area" is something that could be done right now. Without subtasks, RTM seems to facilitate the big, vague, "Do this" kind of task and any of the more relevant sub-steps, assuming there are more than two or so, would clutter the view. This leaves it great for small errands (and there are so many apps out there that do this) but not as useful for organizing one's life. I agree this doesn't need to creep up in scope to be a project management app, but I have a hunch other people's daily lives also have a few more complexities.

With subtasks RTM would also seem to be so much more useful for people at work who aren't project managers but are just keeping tabs on things they have been asked to do. Sometimes these group up and a project gets put on hold, etc. This might be a large part of the user base and I'd much rather have one app like this than two.

I realize subtasks would involve a bit of thinking and coding, and it probably *should* be an optional feature. I'm okay if it's not enabled with SmartAdd for a while, etc. It doesn't necessarily have to approach a PM app. You could skip dependencies, skip any complicated view of task completion status for the parent (other than not started, partial, and done), and skip resources for tasks, etc.

RTM seems to be a great application and the work your team has done on it is so appreciated. If you've written off subtasks, here's another voice asking you to please reconsider.

Thank you!

Posted 3 years ago

+1 for collapsible subtasks

Posted 3 years ago

PLEASE add collapsible sub-tasks and sub-projects in a way that will "wow" all of us who have been patiently waiting for it and not interfere with those who would never use it.

(((PLEASE)))

Posted 3 years ago

Yes please add subtasks - a drop down menu might be possible to allow a drop down menu from a task that shows sub tasks - it would be amazing

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Collapsing or not, sub tasks please!
Or, at least allow to group tasks together under a name.

Posted 3 years ago

Yeah, that would be awesome

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Its a very important things.
And about complexity, you could make its simple and add an option to use or not use the subtask system.

Posted 3 years ago

I often find myself looking at my list of tasks and being overwhelmed by the number of tasks rather than the volume of work those tasks represent. Having a single expandable task with a simple "+" just to the inside of the check box ([ ] + Reading for Classes) with tasks nested rather than the extra tasks (Philosophy Reading, Math Reading, English Reading, Jazz PDF in email) in the same list under the rest of what I have to do today wouldn't complicate, but in fact, simplify my UI view of today's tasks.

Subtasks simply make multi-part tasks more manageable and doesn't necessarily constitute project management per se.

Even if subtasks were something supported only in pro, I would easily upgrade.

Posted 3 years ago

flyingsaucrdude

+1 -- I would go pro for subtasks.

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

Please, subtasks. I can sort of do this with new lists, etc, but the interface to create a list is cumbersome, especially trying to do one for every little multistep process.

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

I think that it is funny that people are still asking for this feature.... you know they are not going to do it!

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

fwiw, +1. Like the idea of making a tag have a completion date.

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

I'd love sub-tasks as well. Collapsable, nested, but keep it simple--only one sub-level. Would be very helpful, even for everyday errands!

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Would definitely use this feature.

Posted 3 years ago

+100

Posted 3 years ago

reid.priedhorsky

+infinity

Please, subtasks. I need them for keeping my job applications straight - before I apply for job X I need to customize the resume, make sure all my recommenders have written their letters, send in the application, etc.

Tags/lists is a lame workaround. I don't think it would be difficult to make the feature ignorable for those who don't want it.

Posted 3 years ago

whobot

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

kristian.mong

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

If RTM simply added a "sort by list name" sorting option, then you could use lists for project names and achieve grouping by project. Even if it weren't collapsible, this would make a lot of people happy.

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

Just to let you know, I have come back to RTM Pro because it beats all the other Task Apps out there. My original decision to leave my Pro Account was based on the Subtask feature not being forthcoming and an inability to see the wood through the trees. Since then I have done a lot of research into Tagging & Flat Hierachies, a lot of thinking and although it pains me to make such a massive turn around.... I can live without Subtasks, I don't need them and I'm going full steam ahead with my GTD way of project management which I will describe in a Forum post shortly. So Emily you can count this as a "- (minus) 1" for each of my previous annoying posts.

Posted 3 years ago

RTM has a lot of advantages over other task apps. Using main project-lists, tags and the smartlists, you can create your for next-actions list, who to call, view the delegated tasks etc (GTD).

Especially the tagging (tags and location) is a very powerful feature and that why i still use RTM.

But there are sub-projects within the main projects-lists and combining tasks/subtasks would be very useful. Google Tasks uses indents and that would be enough for me. I don't need the indentation in the smartlists, because it could be a task on my next-action list. The indentation is useful when revieuwing a project list.

It is possible to create a list for each subprojects and archive it, but the list would become enormous

And "strike-throught" to mark a task as done, but to keep it in sight with the other tasks/subtasks.

Posted 3 years ago

sebastian, I am reminded of Fermat's conjecture in which he famously wrote:

"I have discovered a truly marvellous proof of this, which this margin is too narrow to contain."

Please, details! Before it's too late! :-)

Posted 3 years ago

dmachiels

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1 sub tasks!!!

Posted 3 years ago

I think even if subtasks showed up as notes as a start, I'd be happy.

Posted 3 years ago

still waiting for subtasks.

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1

I'm doing subtasks manually right now. By writing the parent task before the subtask and then searching. However this is becoming a real chore.

Having a user-friendly way to do subtasks would be very nice.

Posted 3 years ago

I see that this thread was started in 2005 and this still isn't implemented, but I'll add my +1 here just in case it is still being considered.

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1
Right now I just use a "/" followed by next action and then edit as that is completed to add next action but a set of subtasks (which you could ignore if you didn't want to use) would provide a simple way to organize work. Also like the strike through notion for a sense of accomplishment!

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

nikonor

+1

or

what about support of in notes?

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Please do subtasks! This is one of two features that drives me to using multiple task tracking systems.

Posted 3 years ago

Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please, Please,

This really is THE ONE THING I feel that could make RTM over the top.

I do hope you guys change your minds!

PLEASE!

Posted 3 years ago

First thing I started searching for when starting to use RTM .. this thread is discouraging reading .. three responses from RTM in 4 years? At the very least I would expect a link to a howto or blog post demonstrating how to use tags, lists, and Smart Lists for subtasks for this purpose, as suggested by Emily back in 2006.

Posted 3 years ago

krissy and RTM crew, please do give us a Christmas present and let us know when this feature will be available. I dropped RTM a while ago due to this lack of subproject support and I've been using MyLifeOrganized over the last months. Now and then I keep comming back to the forum in order to check for this and other features... come on, allow me back!! :)

Posted 3 years ago

wouter.mooij

++

Posted 3 years ago

i would buy an pro account, but without subtask, no pro account!

Thats so important!

Posted 3 years ago

txtxyeha

Sub-tasks, por favor.

Posted 3 years ago

I have to add that this feature would be insanely useful. In place of subtasks I am using lists. But adding a list is not even close to easy when categorizing things in your inbox.

Posted 3 years ago

subtasks would be awesome!

Posted 3 years ago

As so many others, the lack of subtasks is the dealbreaker for me. I would use RTM 100% pro otherwise.

Posted 3 years ago

Please!

Posted 3 years ago

It s obvious that many would love to have the possibility to make subtasks. I also would love to do that. So, why propose tricks ans workarounds instead of implementing this feature?

If you don't like subtasks you can avoid using them, but if you want subtasks, why do you have to create stupid tags or use an special notation?

There are some things that demand dome actions to be completed and event GTD proposes to treat them as projects....I don't want to have 20 projects (lists) in my rtm account!

Posted 3 years ago

Also adding a voice to this because I would love to see it in RTM too.

Sometimes the task management would be quite easier having task A with subtasks A1, A2 and A3 because one could do the subtasks one by one at different times without every time remembering what already was done and what still is open... (ZenToDone)

Totally agree to eprats - I dislike having X lists (projects) and creating even a new one for an one-time-task which consists of some subtasks.

Please hear this (really many) votes and think about implementing it.

Posted 3 years ago

wpreed

Adding my voice to the list of supporters of sub-tasks, or linking tasks, as I prefer to call it.

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1 Subtasks

Posted 3 years ago

robertgtd

Here's my problem. Say I have a proposal due next Friday. I set it up on the system. I need to start working on it latest this Wednesday, I need to do a bit of research, get some emails out to people so I get the responses on time. I don't want to come in next Friday morning and find I have a proposal to write.

In practice, I set up the task for the proposal and give it the date I want to *start* and put in a note for the first thing I want to do. Then, when that date comes, I do what the note says and then set up another note then reschedule the task. It kind of works but the real due date for the task is in my head because I have had to use the due date for the sub tasks. It's not ideal for setting up parallel tasks and assigning tasks to others in the team.

The ideal solution for me would be to have sub tasks that have no more than date, note, completion_status and shared_with. They wouldn't be full blown tasks. Sub tasks could be on a separate tab on the task (i.e. Task, Notes, Sub-Tasks).

Then, when RTM is listing tasks for the Overview, it lists any sub tasks within the appropriate tab (i.e. Today, Tomorrow, Overdue). When I click on a sub-task, it would take me through to the List view with the the new Sub-Task tab selected and the selected sub task highlighted.

Within the List view, for me, there would be no need to list sub-tasks within the view, an icon against the task to show that sub-tasks are present would be sufficient.

Like a lot of people on this thread, I think this would make RTM pretty much perfect.

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1 collapsible subtasks

Posted 3 years ago

Lack of subtasks is the only thing holding me back from getting a pro account too...

Posted 3 years ago

obrienmb

Wow! After over 4 years, still no substantive response to this. That's amazing to me.

I'm a fairly long time pro user, and I've loved RTM, but I've had to recently start thinking about shifting for exactly this inability of RTM to group tasks more usefully in ways which would aid rudimentary project management. After all, yes, if we need to do heavy lifting, we can go to Omniplan or (God forbid) MS Project, but each week is filled with small projects which are just hard to handle with RTM.

Yes, you can use lists and tags, but it always feels like a hack rather than a properly considered approach to what cannot surely be that difficult to implement.

Anyways, I'm hoping the dev team comes up with something soon on this front, because I personally feel that I'm surfing the extremities of RTM's usefulness to me, and the overwhelming feedback above seems to speak for itself.

Posted 3 years ago

Me too would really like to see such a feature!

I understand that it might be a challenge and RTM doesn't need to become a full-blown project management tool (but why not? If it's possible to "simply organize your project with RTM", why looking for something else....)

I suggest to have taks as now but have a possibility to add "steps" (which would be subtasks) to any task (or "split" a task into subtasks/steps) respectively just add a "dependent on"....

I have other ideas or wishes, but leave them to other threads :-)

great tool anyway! keep on the good work.

Any task/step (which are technically absolutely the same (don't complicate the design)!) can have a parent/dependency.

On the database level it would be implemented as a nested set hierarchical structure

Posted 3 years ago

I have just started using RTM yesterday and this was the first hurdle I faced. I haven't used many such applications but subtasks seems a natural way of organizing stuff.

Posted 3 years ago

I would love to see subtasks on rtm.

There have been many times when I just needed it, but had to use notes for subtasks. However, I would still prefer to see it under the main tasks.

If it was available on pro accounts, I would happily upgrade.

Posted 3 years ago

ianfong1000

+1 to subtasks!

Currently trying to find a workaround, but still left with unweildly tags and smart lists:

p.buyhouse
p.buyhouse.findagent
p.buyhouse.research
p.buyhouse.findlawyer

etc..

Posted 3 years ago

+1 vote on subtask.

(Search) lists and tags as workaround is ok but a little bit clunky. Subtask is the only feature I find lacking in RTM.

Posted 3 years ago

I didn't have time to read the whole discussion above. Sorry if I missed some related post (and sorry for my english too).

In my opinion there is a way to use subtasks with RTM without adding complexity to the interface : one could use the API and add this feature to a third part client (web or not).
"Getting Things Gnome" (GTG : http://gtg.fritalk.com/) is doing something like this with a RTM plugin (http://allievi.sssup.it/techblog/?p=183).
Personnaly, i don't expect RTM to add sub tasks, because it they do so, They'll put a toe in a very different kind of software : project managment.

I'd rather see some kind of convention on naming of tasks, tags or lists supported by RTM to ensure that every other clients implementing subtasks would have the same way to do it and could interact with each other.

RTM is really great the way it is. Thanks.

Posted 3 years ago

jeffrdrew

I would prefer to see categories added as a way to group lists. Bonsai by Natara http://www.natara.com/ has this feature and I loved it. Unfortunately, Bonsai doesn't run on Android.

Categories add another level of hierarchy which I suspect would fulfill the subtask requirement. You would have a Project 1 category which then has several lists. In Bonsai, I categorized my lists into 8 categories: House, Work, Music, etc.

RTM is not a simple interface with 25 lists - it's too busy.

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

please, i miss that feature

Posted 3 years ago

+1

I would go pro for this feature..

Posted 3 years ago

+1 please...

Posted 3 years ago

+1 that is the only thing that keeps me from finally switching to rtm.
please!

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

I'm in love with RTM,
but please , add subtasks, they're important for people running many projects in parallel.

Posted 3 years ago

+1 YES PLEASE!!

Posted 3 years ago

+1, RTM is not very useful for me without this

Posted 3 years ago

+1, the only feature missing!

Posted 3 years ago

+1, but I agree that a big concern is to keep the interface simple for newcomers (such as myself) and those who don't need the advanced features. To address this problem, I think that RTM would benefit from different modes of operation, similar to the "basic search" and "advanced search" options in Google and other sites. In general it's better to have a single GUI mode which covers both basic and advanced features, so if someone has a unified design that can do it all, more power to you.

For what it's worth, subtasks are closely related in my mind to project templates. Perhaps there's a better term than "project template", but the idea is that when I start certain types of large tasks, there are several subtasks which should be filled in by default. For example, when I start a new "non-trivial programming assignment" major task, automatically create these subtasks: 1) create project tracking documents, 2) make a detailed time estimate, 3) get approval from the boss to continue, 4) do the project, 5) file a final report". I should be able to create project templates, import templates which were created by others, and allow the boss to edit my project templates.

This in turn ties into group project management. For example, once I have the project estimate done, my check-off action should automatically trigger a "read Will's project estimate" to-do item for my boss. By the way, if all this talk of project templates and such is of interest to the reader, there are plenty of informal (written on paper, not managed in a program) project management templates available from places like NASA, Steve McConnell/Construx, the Project Management Institute, and many others.

Anyway, my point is simply that nested to-do items will probably lead to requests for project templates, which will almost certainly lead to extensive requests for project management features. That's why I think RTM will eventually acquiesce to the pressure to have different modes for basic and advanced usage. It seems like the advanced mode will eventually become really, really advanced, so there will probably be a split sooner or later anyway.

--willdye
William L. Dye
Software Enginerd

Posted 3 years ago

michael.severance

subtasks and start date are the features I would like the most. I do like tags and smart lists and all the other wonderful features of RTM, but these two things keep coming back as items I would really like. I have read (and re-read) the work around options. Just another opinion, Emily and friends.

Yesterday I was talking to someone frustrated with Lotus Notes task lists (that's our company PIM/email setup) and referred him to RTM. First question back: do they have start dates?

Thx all.

Posted 3 years ago

+1. would be great.

Posted 3 years ago

subtasks is a must-have feature

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

Subtasks would be really useful for me. Since I first started using RTM, I've tried several different methods for tying projects to next actions using tags, lists, and notes; none of which has been very satisfactory. Subtasks would allow me to finally replace all those tedious workarounds with a single, simple, intuitive system that does exactly what I need it to do, with a minimum of fuss and clutter.

Even without subtasks, RTM is the best task management program I've ever used. However, regardless of how much I enjoy using RTM in its current form, I still find myself returning to this thread every few months, hoping against hope for confirmation that subtasks are coming to RTM after all.

(Alternatively, categories like the ones suggested by jeffrdrew earlier in this thread would probably solve my current problems about as well as subtasks. I only suggest subtasks because there seems to be more broad-based support for them and because they seem easier to integrate gracefully into the existing UI.)

Posted 3 years ago

+1
I agree with rlanger. I, too, check in every two or three months to see if you guys have finally cracked. No explanation of the inability to have subtasks makes sense. It's completely arbitrary.

Posted 3 years ago

subtasks, please, please.

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1 This is the only thing missing, for RTM to go over and above the top!

Google Tasks has a simple interface, and it can represent subtasks. Functionality to fold is less important... tasks for a project just need to appear clubbed together.

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1. Please.

Posted 3 years ago

RTM still doesn't have this? Please add it.

+1

Posted 3 years ago

sotidis

Please add it
+1

Posted 3 years ago

maseratij

-1 subtasks are unnecessary

Posted 3 years ago

heisenman

Seems to me that this would complicate other simplicities, such as being able to email a task to a list by using the #[list name] feature. Probably there is a way around that, but I would rather be able to move tabs/lists into a priority manually so I can use the Tab as teh project and then prioritize with that tab.

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

Good suggestion.

Posted 3 years ago

+1 for subtasks.

I'm NOT trying to manage big projects, just things like the writing of a paper for school, or shopping lists, and I could seriously use subtasks.

I vote for simplicity too, and to me subtasks are needed for simplicity. Without them, I have to create additional tags, lists, which are cumbersome because they don't allow a single display of all tasks and subtasks in the correct order. Having 20 different list tabs with no order other than alphabetical does not add to the simplicity of the interface.

That's the only thing I miss from Google Tasks. Just a simple indent, and that's enough.

Those who don't need subtasks, or would prefer not having them... well, they could just not use them. But why not provide the feature for those of us who want it? It's kind of the one big thing missing from RTM to be the perfect tool.

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1
would be awesome

Posted 3 years ago

I created an account specifically to see if you supported subtasks. Shame.

Posted 3 years ago

The simplicity argument is easy to solve. Simply don't have subtasks turned on by default. Have it an independent setting.

Use subtasks? __

Posted 3 years ago

Much needed, i will not be renewing my pro status because of this.

Posted 3 years ago

Would love to see it. Great program either way!

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

snaggletooth

Please... this would be amazing... I love Mylyn for development, I would love to be able to take that save GTD style approach to my life with an infinite depth subtask system... thanks.

Posted 3 years ago

Yes Please.. if this is added, there is nothing in RTM that I would miss.. It would make my life simpler then ever..

Posted 3 years ago

mosius

I thought a nice way to do this might be with a GUI to make the setup easier. I mocked up a few graphics to give an idea of what it could look like.

Posted 3 years ago

This would be really helpful. Just adding my voice to the many.

Meantime, I will try to use lists. Wish me luck!

Posted 3 years ago

i want subtasks

Posted 3 years ago

+1 please but in as clear and user-friendly way as RTM users already expect and love you for :)

Posted 3 years ago

benvon

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

+1

Posted 3 years ago

thepauly

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Agree with most posters here: RTM would be perfect if it could handle sub tasks.

In GTD anything that requires more than one action must become a project. Sub tasks can handle that much more graceful and easy then tagging as RTM currently suggests you deal with projects.

Posted 2 years ago

+1

I don't know why you are so afraid that this will make the UI too complicated.

I would suggest just to add a "parentTaskId" field or similar. If the parent task is visible in the current view (current list/smartlist/search), then the subtask is displayed indented below it's parent. As default, a subtask should inherit tags/location/etc from it's parent, but it should be possible to add more manually. If a subtask matches a smartlist search but it's parent does not, then the subtask is just displayed as a regular task. (It is possible to see it's parent task in the "task details " area.)

Adding subtasks could be done either when it is added to the current list. E.g next to the "Add new task" input field you could have a checkmark saying "subtask" which when checked would make any added task a subtask of the currently selected task. A shortcut to this could be e.g. "shift+enter" or similar...
Also, it should be possible to add a subtasks to a parent task by dragging a task onto another task thereby re-organizing the tasklist.

Is this really too complicated to implement? I'm sure you could get a lot of help from your users if you have any specific problems/concerns - all you need is ask.

Also, I would like to suggest that you make a "votebox" feature on your website similar to Dropbox' - it's kind of hard to keep track of all requested features and how many votes each request has. (You are actually getting a somewhat bad reputation with people saying that RTM devs never listens to their users - this subtask-issue being one of the more frequent used examples of that...)

Posted 2 years ago

+1

There are tools out there that sync with RTM, like GTG, and use subtasks. I would like to see that as well in the web interface.

Posted 2 years ago

I would love to see this

Posted 2 years ago

one more vote for this feature

Posted 2 years ago

Bring it on.. already. +1

Posted 2 years ago

+1

This would be very useful for me. I am using RTM to manage tasks with other people for a couple of different engineering projects, and some of the projects have so many tasks it is impractical to use with only one list. We make our own version of sublists just by making lists such as "Project A - Software" and "Project A - Electronics". This works okay, but makes the list of tasks look really cluttered; it would be much better to have built-in sublists to handle this.

Posted 2 years ago

hebbet

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+ 1

Posted 2 years ago

totally wanted. I would go pro if this feature were available. I love everything else about RTM.

Posted 2 years ago

The sheer amount of lists and tags I generate really chokes the interface. I just need 1 level of subtasks, then I'd only have 6 lists and my tag cloud wouldn't look nearly as busy. Please! C'mon Bob - we love ya.

Posted 2 years ago

vitalyb

+1

I REALLY need it

Posted 2 years ago

I too *need* nested lists in a task/list manager. For me, that is the *only* thing RTM lacks.

Perhaps you could take a look at how Google has implemented tasks in their calendar. Very elegant, simple, easy to use. And of course, web/Ajax-based.

I had long dreamed of an app with flexible tagging. Then I found Gmail and Google bookmarks and realized how limiting tagging can be. There is always *something* I want to do that tag implementations or tabs (folders) ultimately won't do.

Tags are a paradigm. Some can make that shift, and some can't (or won't). I'm one of the latter.

Tagging is nice to have, but for me they are a lot of work. The ultimate simplicity for me is to have as few tabs and as few visible task items as possible. You have been very successful in keeping the *interface* clean. However, as my lists get longer, and as I add tabs to help shorten the lists, even the most elegant page design shows it's limitations (I even tried, unsuccessfully, to archive the "Sent" folder).

The paradigm of information hiding by collapsible lists is practically expected today in any application that stores lots of information.

This was the *single* most important feature I looked for in a PDA list manager, and I bought the first one I found, when I finally found one.

Perhaps your flagship product can't easily adapt to nesting. If so, at the very least I'd encourage a companion product that does support it, for all of us "other" folk.

Posted 2 years ago

This would bring RTM to the next level for me.
I was thinking a lot about it. Needed!!

Don't worry too much about the interface. All you add is a little plus that changes into a minus once the sub-tasks are visible.

Posted 2 years ago

+1

This is a well needed feature and would take RTM to a new level of task management.

Posted 2 years ago

Maybe they will kick me out of the group, but I would have no problem if you added this as a PRO feature. There isnt enough to distinguish pro yet, for someone to pay a yearly fee. Do this and I will buy pro.

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

ferryvink.nl

+1

Posted 2 years ago

formless

I can't believe I browsed this whole thread!

+ 1 for at least some simple way to nest or link tasks

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

how about just a duplicate task functionality with rename built in? I see the need for subtasks, but mostly just because I think of next actions for a given task, but have no convenient way to make a new task with the same settings to refer to it. This way you get the location, tag, and priority from the current task and rename it to show the next action.... Nevermind, I guess you can already duplicate tasks. Now I just need a way to do that from the keyboard...

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Every task should have subtasks and may / man not have a parent taks.
It's not that much we're asking for... just the ability to add subtasks to any task.

Posted 2 years ago

+1 for subtasks, as long as the simplicity can be maintained. I think it could be relatively unobtrusive in the same way that notes are. They're not terribly convenient to use and don't get in the way in the interface, but for those tasks where you need them, its nice that the option is there.

Posted 2 years ago

+1 for subtasks - I'd go pro in a minute if RTM offered them. Lack of subtasks forces users like me into counter-intuitive work-arounds. The elegance of the interface is lost. There are several ideas here that would let RTM keep the interface simple even as it added an optional subtask function.

Posted 2 years ago

This list is getting loooong now RTM.

+ 1 to indented Sub Tasks!

Posted 2 years ago

It can be not only "subtask", better is task-dependency as common thing

Posted 2 years ago

+ 1

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

mapi

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

ronnell

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1 for subtasks. It's standard component of almost all GTD tools

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

(+1)

Imagine how much money you could make by adding subtasks

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1 subtask needed

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1

I agree with yakov.keranchuk: It should be called task-dependency, because that is what we are actually talking about.

I can't imagine that this would make the interface ugly or complex.

Posted 2 years ago

past 4 years, still no progress?

Posted 2 years ago

Plus one.

Posted 2 years ago

Hi. I keep checking back to RTM every 3-6 months to see if it's changed its perspective on sub-tasks (nested, indented -- however implemented). Wish I could use it, but can't do so without this critical feature. (RTM's other workarounds -- tags, etc., aren't sufficient.) Hope it may someday be added.

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1 This would be great

Posted 2 years ago

The problem with sub tasks is that it would likely need to introduce dependencies, of which there is no concept in RTM. I kept thinking through a good way to implement this, and I think it would complicate things. However, RTM has come up with great interface ideas to-date, so I have faith (well, hope) that this is something they'll eventually see as valuable on their roadmap.

Posted 2 years ago

I read 4 years worth of requests for subtasks and they just keep coming. I am a firm believer that the RTM people are a bunch of creative and talented programmers based on the idea and implementation that they have now in their webapp, therefore solving the problem of creating subtasks to work within this uncluttered interface is a proof of their talents.

Subtasks would be really great please. (You could make this a pro feature and get paid for the hardwork in implementing this - no offence to anyone including the good people at RTM)

Thanks again for the RTM experience.

Posted 2 years ago

anyabarski

Every voice counts, right? - so I'm adding mine to this long list. Subtasks / multi-level tasks functionality is a critically important feature for so many of us! The moment RTM adds it, I'm signing up for Pro even if it would be twice as expensive as it is now.

Posted 2 years ago

+1 I will sign up for Pro again if RTM adds subtasks!

Posted 2 years ago

Okay, just one more voice voting for sub-tasks/multi-level tasks. Just switched over from a competitor, but will be going back due to lack of subtask option. Agree re adding it to Pro and would happily pay for this feature. Otherwise really loved your product...

Posted 2 years ago

I really need subtasks too.

Posted 2 years ago

Please include some form of project / subtasks feature for everyone!

Posted 2 years ago

+1 for collapsing subtasks

Posted 2 years ago

jans.roeber

My understanding is, that mor than one task on a subject result in a project.
A Project can be defined by tags being assigned to a task.
My project tags all start with a .xxxxx and lall context tags with a @xxxxx

Then I've created a smartlist for all .* tags and here you go with your sub tasks, I presume.

Posted 2 years ago

+1 - subtasks please!

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

Hello!
I use notes as subtasks — маке 1,2.3 оr more notes in task, then delete note after proper subtask complete. I don`t understand why not make another tab like a "notes" with "check" instead of "delete" :)
Easiest way — add "check" feature to notes!

Posted 2 years ago

hispeedsurfer

+1

Posted 2 years ago

We need to have subtasks.

Posted 2 years ago

robertovg24

Now I'm using Google Tasks, but I need more for my GTD. Again I'm trying to use RTM, and the only thing I'm sure RTM needs is to enable subtasks.
When you use and you have a lot off proyects, is the best way to manage it, breakdown tasks.

Posted 2 years ago

+1 for a second level of Tasks. I also use notes to list my subtasks, but you can't print notes. Please give us the ability to list subtasks and be able to print them (and to print notes, btw!)

Posted 2 years ago

justice.pilgrim

++++++++++++1

Posted 2 years ago

You won't get me to purchase a Pro account until subtasks are implemented. I'm assuming that there are others in my boat as well. But the moment they are, I'll send you my $$! Even commenting on this very old thread seems ludicrous, since it's obviously being ignored. But I believe that RTM is great, and could be greatly enhanced by the subtask feature. The claims of a clunky interface just don't seem to pan out - we're talking 1 maybe 2 spaces of indentation here. I realize that the coding behind this feature may be the real culprit, but go ahead and fess up to that devs :-)

Posted 2 years ago

+1

The RTM interface is great, the API means there are a huge number of brilliant apps + ways to access your tasks, but the lack of subtasks/task dependencies etc. is killing this for me.

Tags & smart lists can do the job, but they make the user experience tedious and slow. I'm now seriously considering switching to an UGLY competitor just because of its subtask/dependency feature.

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

I need this too.

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+ 1 subtasks please!!

Posted 2 years ago

+1 I need it too...

Posted 2 years ago

This is definitely the first thing I noticed that I wish RTM had. An easy way to fix this would be having the option to create lists manually as an alternative to smart lists. That way, a list can be created as the main task and then all tasks inside that list would be the sub-tasks. I do enjoy the smart lists and find them very useful, however, they require me to type a common word in all the tasks that I want to make part of that particular list, making me do a bit of extra work that adds up when I'm planning an entire project. Please consider adding the option of creating lists manually as a solution to the sub-tasks, as you can see, there is a considerable number of people asking for it. Keep up the great work! I've only started using this software and it is amazing!

-Rico

Posted 2 years ago

Another alternative would be to make it possible to have multi-word tags that would be separated by semi-colons, one-word tags are very limiting into what can be done with them.

Posted 2 years ago

jcrusselljr

i would pay for a version with subtasks. +1

i use a plain old Google doc (used to be word doc) for a GTD style list.

an example where i would use subtasks in RTM would be for things like keeping a xmas list.

Top folder would be "xmas". Tasks would be each person - "John", "Mary", "Nick". Subtasks would be items - John wants socks, and bike, Mary wants necklace, Nick wants pro version of RTM ;-)

Xmas
- John
+socks
+bike
-Mary
+necklace
-Nick
+RTM pro account

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

Subtasks in RTM would be very valuable to me.
I would love to see this feature implemented.

Posted 2 years ago

goraleksi

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1，pls！

Posted 2 years ago

+ A BILLION... Geez. Just do what Google tasks does already. If a task is selected, hitting "tab" bumps it over to the right. If you finish the task above it, it finishes all the subtasks. Come. ON!

Posted 2 years ago

hanno.stock

+1 PLEASE!

An alternative would be categories for the lists themselves. So one could group lists by "bigger picture" categories.

It is usually easy to know when a project is done (e.g. "plan family vacation") and you can make a list for this project. Also I don't mind reviewing a project's list and manually decide which action comes next.

However even with like 20 lists the interface is quite cluttered - especially when you use additional smart lists.

So +1 for a hierarchy of not tasks but lists!

(This should even be simpler for the interface and implementation)

Posted 2 years ago

Yes! Subtasks, please!

Posted 2 years ago

dillo99

Please - subtasks!!!!

Posted 2 years ago

This is a showstopper... would be highly appreciated.

Posted 2 years ago

benjamin.jung82

Yes, please :-)

Posted 2 years ago

bluesgeek

Cloud Tag Restructurer (greasemonkey script)

https://www.rememberthemilk.com/forums/tips/2943/
(read the entire thread)

It supports hierarchical tasks.

Posted 2 years ago

+1, With that many requests, I can't imaging RTM is not adding this feature. Looking at the thread, it seems people are requesting for over 5 years now...

Posted 2 years ago

I would love subtasks too. I skimmed some of this... I don't think it needs to complicate the interface, though for those who are concerned I think being able to turn it off/on would be great. I really need nested lists... it could just be a little "+" that would expand a list of tasks that are indented a little bit, with these tasks being subtasks of the a task.

I love the remember the milk interface, but I continually (over the course of years) find myself drifting away from rtm every time I try it, back to the usual Word Document where I use bullets for tasks, indented one level for subtasks, and just delete as I finish them.

For example, I have an Academic Tab in RTM where I put schoolwork. What I would love to have in there is have a task that says:
__ International Health Paper (with due date)
__ Outline (due date)
__ First Draft (due date)
__ Final Draft (due date)

I think that the main tasks within the list should be sorted by the due date of the main tasks, not the sub-tasks.

Sub-tasks would allow me to keep related tasks grouped together, whereas now I need to scroll through a mess of tasks from 4 classes, many involving little pieces.

I also run into this problem in other areas as well. I would love to have a task of 'Be Ready for Campus Career Fair (due Jan 25th) with sub-tasks containing the 5-6 things I need to do before the Career Fair...... One more: I'm applying for a UK Passport, however, I have 4-5 different things I need to do before I can mail it in (phone calls, signatures, passport photos). If I made a list for everyone of these of these main tasks, I would have about 10-20 lists at a time and THAT would get messy.

Right now a Word Document bulleted list is the best way for me to do my to-do list, however, I do love the the RTM interface and the ability to just check things off. I just need a 2nd tier of list so badly... and I agree, I would pay for Pro if I could have this feature.

Posted 2 years ago

The spaces didn't post in my reply above. Can't edit. As you'll prob figure out...

__ Outline (due date)
__ First Draft (due date)
__ Final Draft (due date)

was supposed to be indented underneath the

__ International Health Paper (with due date).

Posted 2 years ago

Subtasks, please!

Posted 2 years ago

PLEASE GIVE ME THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


People clearly want it, and it would make RTM much more useful. If you're worried about simplicity, add a toggle that turns it on/off, or make it part of Pro. I, for one, would pay for sub-tasks. Don't allow just one level, either. Three would be good, for a total of four: List-> task -> sub-task -> sub-sub-task

Posted 2 years ago

Please can we have subtasks!

Posted 2 years ago

Please add support for subtasks now! Or even better custom task hierarchy. Any task can be related to any other task, in order to create hierarchys, orders and any other relations tasks can have between them.

Posted 2 years ago

+1 for subtasks.

Dont worry about cluttering the interface. Make subtasks a pro feature and allow it to be enabled/disabled. (default disabled)
unrelated - I would also like to see 5 priorities instead of 3.

Posted 2 years ago

bartek.pawelczyk

+1
Please!

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1
but I think I have just signed up and I think I am goint to leave RTM because of the lack of subtasks

Posted 2 years ago

This is such a wonderful app, by far the best on Market today and it is blowing all competitors right put of the water, the Milk Sync with Outlook is fantastic.
But, pleeeease add subtasks. as it is now I have to create a list for every project, instead of being able to create several smaller projects under one list. I have just started using RTM and already I am seeing my number of lists skyrocketing making it very cluttered and hard to work with. for example i want to put all relted tasks to one customer under one list, but then there could be several different tasks connected ot this customer which i have to do, and those tasks in turn requoires several subtasks...in this version of RTM I can't find a way of doing this except using tags or several lists. Please add subtasks.

Posted 2 years ago

Also, I don't see the problem with cluttering, Simply move the subtasks a few pixels to the right. Connect it to the overlying task. Done.

Posted 2 years ago

shawn.dossie

Sub Tasks!

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

asmith3006

I'd also like subtasks please. If you want to keep it tidy you could collapse them and clicking on the arrow shows the next level. You could display how many remaining tasks are left on the parent tasks.

Please please please do this!!!! Or at least comment.

Posted 2 years ago

Seriously, if there aren't subtasks by the time I need to renew my subscription, I don't know if I will. It's so clunky without them. RTM is so wonderful, why does it force me to make it less wonderful by doing strange work around to get subtasks?????

Posted 2 years ago

Please!?

Posted 2 years ago

matthauger

I've been a Pro user for quite a while now. But I'm not sure I can re-up my membership next time without subtasks/project management.

Posted 2 years ago

YES, YES, YES
Sub Tasks are Vital.

I too am a paying customer.

Posted 2 years ago

I too want subtasks. Being able to toggle them would be fab with levels indented. With this ability added, RTM would be a perfect, perfect tool.

Posted 2 years ago

I've just given RTM a go as I'm looking for a todo list manager.. It looks good apart from one significant issue - sub tasks! Many tasks have multiple components, and RTM can't handle that. Which is a pity, as otherwise it looks pretty good!
I found crowdfavorite.com that supports them, but otherwise it's not usable as the server it is on is too slow (and a few other issues..)
So I'll keep looking....
It's a strange feature for RTM to leave out for so long, this post is 5 years long!

Posted 2 years ago

leesto

I've got friends who use other applications for to-do lists and seeing them using subtasks is making me crave more for the feature!

When it comes to renewal, it will be how much I feel I need to use subtasks at that point which will probably make/break whether I'll renew pro or go elsewhere.

I realise there are work-arounds for implementing a sort of sub-task, but none of them are really that neat.

Posted 2 years ago

Playing with this and with some other task manager. Without subtask I think my money for a pro account will go to some other option in the market.
I guess nothing is really perfect (though RTM *would* be for me with subtasks).

Posted 2 years ago

+1. Gmail subtasks are so simple. could we go that route?

Posted 2 years ago

bernard.walsh

I think we need to have subtasks, or at the least, lists of lists

Posted 2 years ago

well, i was looking the help area to find where the subtasks were, I was sure they existed. there's no explanation for this. 5 years...

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

What a surprise! RTM is based on subtasks: berak down until you have aa "action".

What a pitty.

Posted 2 years ago

5 years ago, this topic started and todays we don't have subtask in RTM. Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1 - I would definitely use this software if there were subtasks!

Posted 2 years ago

I guess you can't ask for subtasks from free software. That would make this much nicer, though. currently, I just list the subtasks under the notes section.

Posted 2 years ago

You say you do not want to add subtasks because it would complicate the interface, which is good reasoning, but I think you might be accidentally causing exactly that problem now. Let me explain myself:

Since I don't have subtasks, I have to use tags and lists, as you say.

* Using lists: Since I have a lot of lists (as GTD recommends), my interface is cluttered with lists and is difficult for me to find the list I need when I need.

* Using tags: This way I get a huge single list in which I only need now 1 out of 4 tasks (my "next actions").

We need subtasks because we need a way to hide the information we do not need just now, so implementing subtasks would make the UI simpler than it is now for me, at least in the way I use RTM.

Thanks for reading it. I hope you find it useful! :)

Posted 2 years ago

This function not working.

Posted 2 years ago

yes, RTM take note, subtasks as an option will make your product SIMPLER and LESS cluttered. RTM needs to stay ahead of the competition and evolve!

Posted 2 years ago

robert.ward

Yes please!

Posted 2 years ago

alfredosos

+1

Posted 2 years ago

meggerud

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Pleeeease pleease! This is absurd.

Posted 2 years ago

Almost 500 people have requested this. Many I'm guessing are GTD users (who in many cases rely on nested tasks for project management).

Solution:

- SETTINGS - "Enable Nested Tasks" -- disabled by default.
- Nested tasks sit directly under master tasks, with just a little white space to the left

It's great to keep laser product focus. But it's also great to listen to your users... almost 500 have requested this now, not counting duplicate threads (and there are plenty).

Posted 2 years ago

fmaida

+1

Posted 2 years ago

@shutez - buh? I don't see "Enable nested Tasks" in my RTM settings.

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

GIVE NOW

Posted 2 years ago

Yes I want subtasks too +1

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

martinsgill

+1

I drift in and out of using RTM. Generally i drift out whenever I encounter a need for subtasks. I want all my todo's in one place, and sometimes a todo simply takes multiple steps.

When i get fustrated by RTM not having subtasks i switch to some other method/program for tracking Todos. Until eventually I come back to RTM because it's such a joy to use, compared to anything else i've tried.

It's frustrating. Sub-task is all I really miss in RTM.

Posted 2 years ago

+1 First thing that's really missing

Posted 2 years ago

annoerr

+1 I really would like subtasks! This would make it easier to plan big projects.

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

dave.sawdey

It would be awesome to have something like a "project" that I could group tasks under.

Posted 2 years ago

chrisbids

You've just got to do it!

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

Essential improvement !!!

Posted 2 years ago

ssun82

I would love subtasks! Perhaps they would clutter the interface a little, but jury-rigged subtasks via tags and extra lists clutters the interface too.

One of the people above suggested making this an subtasks hide-able for users who didn't want to see them; I think that is a great idea.

Posted 2 years ago

This seems a lot like the idea for dependent tasks, which I also voted for.

Posted 2 years ago

+1

Posted 2 years ago

kateoneill

-1. I can't imagine this feature without some sacrifice to the simplicity and ease of use of the interface. Perhaps if, as was suggested a few comments back, it was implemented strictly as an option, but then it seems like it would fragment the efforts of a relatively small development team.

Posted 2 years ago

5 years later I don;t have a lot of hope for this, but I'll vote anyways

Posted 2 years ago

Yes Please! This is one single reason I stopped using RTM (which I LOVED and was proposing to my friends and family) and went to google tasks. The same reason i never went pro also. Without sub tasks it simply is a no go.
Saying that it would complicate interface is not a good reason. That is just narrow thinking. With the bright minds that created the nice interface that RTM has, i am sure you could come up with a a good creative way to put it in.

Posted 2 years ago

alberto.colon

This would make RTM really Pro!
+2

Posted 2 years ago

Do it already! Way late as it is.

Posted 2 years ago

tuanba

+1

Doesn't matter what the status RMT will have "Project management" or not. This feature is some kind of "must have". I hope it won't make the product more complex. The point is finding the consensus between features and simplicity.

Thanks RMT for the great software!

Posted 2 years ago

martingchapman

The way I work I do not need sub tasks.
I like the existing simple interface with each task as a separate entity.
If something is a Project then I create a list for the project and all the tasks I add to the list are "sub-tasks" in the project.
For GTD users you can identify "next action(s)" within the project by making them Priority 1.
Then as each task is completed I complete them in the list and when they are all completed, ie there are no more active tasks visible in the list I archive the list.
This works for me but I understand it may not suite everyone.

Posted 2 years ago

+ 10

Posted 2 years ago

+ 1
I've read here that it would require too much reprogramming, and pointed to use Lists and tags instead.

I think subtask can be implemented as another type of tags without much reprogramming. In the input box, after typing two dots ".." (for example) a list of all tasks would appear and one of them might be selected as the parent task of the new one.

To keep it simple, and provide only one level of subtasks, only those tasks without parent tasks would be listed.

Looks simple to me (but I don't really know the internals of the cow though :)

Posted 2 years ago

Yes I agree completely. That way you can define the task or project and just add the subtasks o dependent tasks. This is really important to make to do lists more friendly and functional. This would be great!!!!

Posted 2 years ago

jdokc

A very simple "expandable" arrow would show/hide subtasks brilliantly...I'm not sure that would complicate the UI. Still, 5 years of talking on this subject? Me thinks management is not fond of the concept.

Posted 2 years ago

Completely NO!!!
It is a major point why I do use RTM.
To organize projects tags are fine!

Posted 2 years ago

+2, sure this would be great

Posted 2 years ago

mike.bender

I would personally love to see sub or dependent tasks. Today I use a mix of smart lists and tags as a work around, but IMO this makes me dependent on A Bit Better RTM for better list management.

More powerful list management within RTM in general would help a lot in lieu of (in conjunction with would be ideal though) sub tasks. The tab lists interface is by far the achilles heal of RTM's UX for me. Without a bit better rtm, I wouldn't be able to use RTM for work and it would essentially be relegated to grocery coordination between my wife and I (which is awesome by the way). I just have too many smart lists for projects and reporting for work in addition to personal lists to be managed nicely in horizontal tab format without some sort of group list collapsing or something.

Posted 2 years ago

The only reason I'm looking at possibilities for another task management system right now is the lack of subtasks with RTM. Everyone else lacks the elegance and simplicity of the interface... as well as the ease of creating recurring tasks, which is why I'll surely stay with RTM. Still...

I'm working on a huge project which has 101 tasks, each of which has its own steps involved. I've got the list sorted nicely with tags and lists, but it would be ridiculously helpful to be able to easily associate subtasks with the specific tasks they relate to without having to create a list or tag for each individual task. My case is probably uncommon, but it's an example of why it'd be helpful.

I understand the argument against it, how it might interfere with the ease and elegance of RTM, but it's still worth reconsidering, IMO.

Posted 2 years ago

oddhnp

Hi
an idea for subtasks could perhaps be to include it as some sort of special notes? That way you dont clutter the original task interface...?

Posted 2 years ago

yasuaki.okamoto

I think it's ok only that a task can have links meaning "It's my sub-task." to some other tasks and sub-tasks can have link meaning "It's my parent.".
And when a task having sub-tasks is selected, list of sub-tasks of the task is shown in the right pane showing task detail and note.
Graphical hiearachic view is unneccesary.
It's a little simple.

Posted 2 years ago

Introducing sub tasks may increase the complexity of the interface but by not having the sub task feature it increases the complexity of using the app if you have to mimic this feature using smart lists. If this feature could be turned on & off then people who don't want it can still keep the simple user interface.

Posted 1 year ago

+1

Posted 1 year ago

+1

Posted 1 year ago

+1.
if some body don't want to use the sub-task,he/she can use it without adding any sub-task. But many users need this, include me .
why do the people said adding sub-task must to increase the complexity of the interface ?Google Tasks has simple interface, and it has sub-task too .

Posted 1 year ago

Yep, I'll add my vote to this one. Notes can act as pseudo-subtasks, but can't be searched on easily.

Posted 1 year ago

RTM should have developed this already. If you really want to 'get things done', you will need to split up one task into some subtasks. Projects are an essential part of task management. It's as simple as that.

Posted 1 year ago

Just keep it simple. No need for this.

Posted 1 year ago

I need sub-list more than subtasks

Posted 1 year ago

see the idea "Sublists"

Posted 1 year ago

kuelken

good idea

Posted 1 year ago

knut02

This is a good idea. Support the idea that this could be turned on or off. If you want it then it is on, if not off.

Posted 1 year ago

+1

Posted 1 year ago

+1

Please give us this functionality.

I agree that adding subtasks kind of goes into project management territory but thats what a lot of us need when dealing with many projects each having its own tasks. Addings tags and lists is too cumbersome unless the project is huge and has maybe 10+ tasks of its own. For multiple projects each having only 5 tasks or so it becomes very messy.

Posted 1 year ago

great idea

Posted 1 year ago

danyx

+1

Posted 1 year ago

jszmak

+1

Posted 1 year ago

jsandb

This would make my buy pro instantly!

Posted 1 year ago

jsandb

me*

Posted 1 year ago

I NEED this for my company, hope it's in the works... would make RTM the all-inclusive perfect app...

Posted 1 year ago

I would like to see sub-tasks as well. I agree that it should be an option for those who do not want it, and obviously preserving the interface as much as possible is a priority, but it would be extremely beneficial to those of us who are trying to adopt a GTD type workflow without loads of lists, etc.

Posted 1 year ago

Please.

Posted 1 year ago

bill.sanford

+1 like shutez

Posted 1 year ago

+1

Posted 1 year ago

conrado.martinez.parra

I vote for providing subtasks functionality too. The interface needs not get much more complicated: a task with subtasks can be expanded or collapsed. Subtasks inherit all properties (e.g. priority, due time, location, ...)
of the main task unless the user overrides these properties.
A good compromise is to let
the user turn this feature on/off.

Posted 1 year ago

Absence of subtasks is the only reason I have, as of yet, never wanted to feel the "warm fuzzy feeling for supporting RTM".

Come on. The first entry in this post is 5 years old. Do something about it.

Posted 1 year ago

+1. This is the most wanted feature. I keep using a different product and checking back here to see if it's ready. Yet again, it's not. 5 years....

Posted 1 year ago

+1
yes

Posted 1 year ago

Maybe a separate "Projects" folder, which would contain tasks that requrie subtasks?

Posted 1 year ago

+1. YES!

Posted 1 year ago

martin.gamache

+1 Just What I was looking for!

Posted 1 year ago

listen to your customers kthx

Posted 1 year ago

Please add this feature. You will have to do eventually or fold. Its just that essential. I stay with RTM because of the complexity of the list feature, but consider leaving it every day because of the lack of sub-tasks and dependent tasks. Add that, and allow me to drag and drop my tasks onto a calendar and I would pay triple. I also need Do date as well as a due date.

Posted 1 year ago

Subtask??? Definitely not!

Posted 1 year ago

ronnell

This feature would be heavenly.

Posted 1 year ago

ryptide

Subtasks would GREATLY improve RTM. I love your product, and that's why I support it by being a pro member. I know you are smart people and can implement this in a way that keeps the simplicity of the interface.

Posted 1 year ago

definitely YES. +1

Posted 1 year ago

For me the reason of lacking subtasks or either sublists (usable als sub-projects) turned me away from RTM. Unfortunately, since the rest of the software is incredibly awesome! It's just that I'd like more structure in my tasks.

Posted 1 year ago

Still waiting for subtasks...this would be an incredibly helpful feature!

Posted 1 year ago

philip.storry

Downvoted.

I don't want subtasks. I'm considering RTM because it's simple and flexible.

Half the needs for subtasks revolve around project management. This is Remember The Milk, not Remember The Project Plan!

That having been said, I think some basic Project management style work could be achieved with subtasks and lists. Make adding a new list easier, and allow a task to be dependent on another one - so that it can't be completed until its dependent tasks are also completed.
There will be a little pain in ordering/nesting them correctly in the view, so that should be optional.

Subtasks, from a project management point of view (which seems to be how many people are coming at it) are a mess. But dependent tasks are clean, simple and yet retain the flexibility of RTM.

Go vote for dependent tasks!

Posted 1 year ago

jon.yeo

would be helpful to do this. +1 (If I click the "thumbs up") How do I know my vote has been counted?

Posted 1 year ago

Def would love this added!

Posted 1 year ago

bochgoch

Certainly would work for me - my brain works in tasks and subtasks rather than everything in one long list..........

Posted 1 year ago

Suppose I am moving into a new apartment.

I have a list, "New Apartment", to represent this project.

As part of the process, the apartment I have chosen requires you to have renter's insurance in the terms of the lease.

So here's what I need to do to get renter's insurance:

- Call my auto insurance provider to see if they also provide renter's insurance
- Research other renter's insurance companies
- Call the company I choose and sign up for the insurance
- Call my landlord with my renter's insurance account number.

Those are 4 discrete tasks which are part of the "Get renter's insurance for my lease" task. They must be done in sequence, and the higher-level task will not be considered "Complete" until they are. I cannot create a separate list, because then I lose the context of having them in the "New Apartment" list. I cannot use tags, because this prevents me from viewing them as a single related unit on the screen.

Posted 1 year ago

hanli

+++

Posted 1 year ago

I say YES for subtasks

Posted 1 year ago

I just wanted to say thanks for everybody's input, on this and other ideas!

As mentioned in our recent blog post, we introduced the ideas voting feature so that we could figure out which ideas are most important to Remember The Milk users (which will help us decide what Bob and the team should develop next).

We're definitely hearing what's important to you. :)

Posted 1 year ago

Yes. RTM will have sub-tasks :) Thanks in advance emily

Posted 1 year ago

Great! Just be sure to think through it very well. If the web app have subtasks, then, all the other apps will need them or, at first some alternative way to handle them.

Posted 1 year ago

jessicaking

+1 Critical and hacks just don't cut it.

Posted 1 year ago

+1 for Subtasks, or I need to start looking for a new GTD application.

In a way, RTM is a victim of it's own success. It has made the ToDo list such an integral part of my life, that I need more power.

I need subtasks so I can have a series of tasks. I want to put up new track lighting, so I need to first
1) Examine my current lights to see what is involved in removing them
2)Take a ceiling sample to Home Depot to get some paint for the ceiling
2) Buy new track lights
3) Remove old lights
4) Paint
5) Install the track lights

I don't want to add 6 items to my list for one project, but I need to break the tasks down to managable pieces if I ever have a chance of getting them done.

Posted 1 year ago

Ok, I've thought about how this could work ... although it would be more of the Dependent Task style, rather than the hierarchical sub-task style. The result will be the same.

First, implement the suggested Start Date feature, which would give you the ability to have tasks that aren't "active" yet. They don't show up until the Start Date.

When you write this feature, make sure to make it dynamic enough that you can bind the Start Date to the Complete Date of another task. So the Start Date will be null (because the Complete Date of the dependent task is null) until the other task has been completed. When it is completed, start date of the new task is set to today, because it is bound to the complete date of the task on which it is dependent.

Boom ... now you have dependent task/subtasks.

So, to explain
TaskA: DateTime getCompleteDate {return completeDate;}
TaskB: DateTime getStartDate {return TaskA.getCompleteDate;}

See how they're tied into each other now? If you implement Start Dates, then Dependencies/Subtasks is easy!

Also, I know you're concerned about keeping RTM simple and reducing overhead (btw, it would help if the site was a little streamlined. I prefer the gmail widget, because the sight is sloooow). But what you should do is take the Apple/Google approach. Keep it simple to start. New users would have to activate dependencies/start dates in the preferences. If they don't want them, they just don't activate the feature (kind of like Google Labs). This way, it's not overwhelming for new users. But as users become comfortable with RTM, they can start activating new features to make the service more comprehensive.

Posted 1 year ago

Actually, it'd be more like:

DateTime getStartDate()
{
if(this.getParentTask == null)
return this.startDate;
else
return getParentTask.getCompletedDate;
}

Posted 1 year ago

bones10

My problem is that I add a task only to later realize it has multiple steps. From this point, I've got to do a fair amount of work to either set up another list, or smart list.

Perhaps the following would fit in nicely with how RTM works and solve the problem too:
1) Provide a way to create a list or smart list from a task
2) Provide a visual cue for when a task has a list or smart list.
3) Provide an easy way to jump to the list from it's task.

Just a thought .

Posted 1 year ago

christopher.weible

I don't think you really would want to tie the start date feature to the dependence feature. If both are implemented, I might want to say, "Task B begin when Task A is completed, but not before date Y". I wouldn't want completing Task B's start date to change when I complete task A.

On the other hand, you could tie them together thus: When Task A is completed, set Task B's start date to Task A's complete date if Task B's start date is null.

This only ties the two features together, however. They are still separate features.

On a separate note: If sub-tasks are implemented as a multi-to-multi task dependency, you'd be able to not only make a task dependent on multiple sub-tasks, but make multiple tasks dependent on a single sub-task. (Tasks A, B, and C all cannot begin until Task M is completed)

Posted 1 year ago

Give me subtasks! I just need GTD! :P

Posted 1 year ago

+1 Subtasks would be good, saves me from having to make separate lists.

Posted 1 year ago

I used to have pro but no way am I going to go pro again without COLLAPSIBLE SUBTASKS. +1

Posted 1 year ago

Ditto - I see it as a major obvious missing. I understand that not everyone works that way.. but I'm almost incapable of not working that way - bite-able sub-tasks... definite must... tempted to switch back to google but don't want to - would love to support milk!! :)

Posted 1 year ago

+1, even RTM's Guest post alludes to Subtasks : http://blog.rememberthemilk.com/2008/05/guest-post-advanced-gtd-with-remember-the-milk/

Quote:

"...create a “ps-BuyHouse” list, with a goal statement such as “.. Purchase 3 bedroom, 2 bath house in Greenwood Park neighborhood.” Pre-pending the goal statement with “.. ” ensures it will sort to the top of the “ps-BuyHouse” list. All project tasks should flow from your goal statement."

The important bit is the last line... all project tasks should flow from your...

Come on RTM, pull the udder one would you, your community needs this.

Posted 1 year ago

That's Five years old post... do you think it's coming soon ?

Posted 1 year ago

Ditto! This has been knocking around for too long. I understand the desire for simplicity, and some of the ways other members do this can work but are a bit ungainly. It seems that on the basis of this discussion thread users have voted.
I'm doing what you suggested: I'm using a new list for each project but the subtask sometimes comes up on the due date out of context because I forgot to tag or preface it correctly (usually when entering stuff from Android smartphone; we won't talk about the less than complete synching that sometimes happens). There are a lot of patches and self-fixes but I know you guys are brilliant.
I've looked at and played with several other task manager programs (names excluded to protect the guilty) but they all seem to have real problems with sub-tasks.
Looking at all the list titles is overwhelming to someone prone to ADD and senior moment zone-out periods.
Thanks!

Posted 1 year ago

bluesgeek

I think nested lists wouldn't clunk up the interface. At least one extra level of nesting would be nice.

Posted 1 year ago

andi.schenk

subtasks would be great!

Posted 1 year ago

murky

I'd go for dependencies. An extra field on each task that says 'depends upon'

(There could be multiple dependencies).

depends: task829, task291, task918
(chosen by drop down from all not completed tasks)

Then in a smartlist, you could say
show tasks where depends upon:0
i.e. if a task doesn't depend on another incomplete task, show it

Posted 1 year ago

murky

I have just seen separate dependencies thread. Doh

Subtasks

* a set of tasks which share same tags/locations etc - though this could be overwritten
* if all subtasks are complete, the main unexpanded listing is not marked as complete, but is greyed out (other tasks may be added)
* if all subtasks are complete, the main unexpanded task may be marked as complete.
* if some subtasks are incomplete, then trying to mark the main task as complete would show the subtasks.
E.g. TASK NAME (mark all complete)
Subtask 1 (mark complete)
Subtask 2 (mark complete)

This could be combined with dependency.

Posted 1 year ago

I just sent a mail to support to ask about this, and then surfed into this thread... sorry.... I definitely think subtask is useful, making them with on/off option is better.

It is not necessarily a project management tool only a way to make a group of task without creating a new list. or a new tag or a new location. thanks!

Posted 1 year ago

So Emily, now that we have firmly established that dependent tasks and subtasks are the two most-requested, most-needed features (to manage the larger numbers of tasks that people realistically try to manage if they have already needed to abandon pencil and paper), are you going to do it for us?

Please don't make us beg....

Posted 1 year ago

+1

Posted 1 year ago

+1

Posted 1 year ago

simphonic

Please, Please, Please - implement sub tasks. It is one of 2 things that keeps me looking out for other task management options. (the other is 'templates' :-))

Posted 1 year ago

+1

Posted 1 year ago

As of today I am switching away from RTM because of the lack of this feature. It is really a shame as RTM has everything else I need, but does not have the one thing that I really need to organize my tasks the way I naturally tackle challenges in life. That is: no task is big enough if you break it into small manageable steps. It is funny the RTM team is against te feature for it may detract from the clean simple look of the site. However, my RTM had become so cluttered that it was hindering its utility...

I hope you guys turn around and add the feature. I would be very tempted to return.

Posted 1 year ago

+1

Posted 1 year ago

Please !!!!!!!!! Subtasks - you only need 2 levels to be very effective. Most work items I have consist of several subtasks You do not need to get complicated with gnatt charts and dependencies, milestones, and such. So what is the big deal here? A drop down arrow from the main task reveals sub tasks. Much more organized than having all the subtasks of work just in one jumble of tasks.

Posted 1 year ago

+1 for subtasks
Love the iPad app interface, but subtasks are greatly missed for how I like to structure things.

Posted 1 year ago

I'm not sure I understand, the RTM team adds the ability to thumb up or down ideas so that they can see what is really important to their users, and they got a resounding answer. subtasks/dependent tasks (the two most requested features in the forum, probably because of GTD) and then they make a decision to not implement it.

I also feel like this is the most difficult to implement a workaround that is not based on an extension/greasemonkey. If you were to create a "task" by making a smartlist with a tag, then you get a list that sticks around when you're done with it, which will require housekeeping later.

as a college student, splitting up my tasks into bite size chunks is essential, and when I can't cross the task off my list until the end, it becomes more difficult to keep track of.

Posted 1 year ago

@petenelson +1 for ADD (and I wouldn't need RTM if I wasn't)

also you could make this a feature that could be enabled in settings. Then the interface could remain simple at first, but as users turn into power users, they can adopt subtasks

Posted 1 year ago

wow, it took me until today to realize that this thread is 5 years old WOW, thats almost as old as rtm

@almurray, I'll beg if it'll make em happy :P

Posted 1 year ago

Its strange not to implement it at least optional.

I want to divide my work tasks. If i do this with single tasks my list gets so big it is no use anymore.

Posted 1 year ago

+2 (I'm a pro user). Personally, I find subtasks less cluttering than tagging and much neater. Todoist has a simple solution to subtasks..the user can expand or collapse the main task to show/hide the subtasks. I LOVED it. The web interface was simple and clean but the iphone interface was/is a shocker. So, I converted to RTM but really miss the subtasks feature.

Posted 1 year ago

dwayne.macgowan

this would be better solved with dependency between tasks

Posted 1 year ago

My two cents...

This is how I would like it implemented.

Create Task willy nilly on the go to make sure you get them down.
- Do Assignment
- Do Question 1
- Do Question 2

When I have time (or once a week on Monday Morning) organize sub tasks.
Click on "Do Assignment"
Click on "Select SubTask Button"
Click on "Do Question 1"
Click on "Do Question 2"
Click on "Done"

- Do Assignment
- Do Question 1
- Do Question 2

I believe this kind of functionality would be really beneficial with out complicating the interface.

1. Breaking down larger task into smaller task makes me feel like I'm making progress.

2. If I'm in a hurray I can just quickly add a bunch of tasks and worry about organizing it into subtasks later.

3. I can select different dead lines for subtasks to make sure I'm not leaving the whole thing to the end.

In terms of interface it would only add two buttons. In terms of the task list, you could just ensure that sub tasks are listed beneath the main task (maybe in another color). Additionally, I feel you would only need to go one or maybe two levels max.

Posted 1 year ago

niemansj

Collapsible subtasks would be amazing. Pleas, RTM. You'd be perfect. :(

Posted 1 year ago

For me; subtasks is a dealbreaker. I'll be trying out Toodledo, because they do have subtasks... I'm sorry to leave because RTM is wonderfully original. Maybe I'll be back when the subtasks we all have been asking for for more than five years are coming...

Posted 1 year ago

subfolders would be fine too

Posted 1 year ago

I am leaving RTM, too. Most of my tasks have multiple items and using lists doesn't cut... I don't understand why this feature can not be offered as an option???

Posted 1 year ago

Possible workaround until this is implemented:

1. For each "main task" create a task in the list you usually work with, i.e. the only task that will show up in your daily work.
2. Create a (non-smart) list for this task and put its subtasks in there. Prefix the name so that these kind of task groups can easily be found among the other lists.
3. Because this will lead to lots of lists and clutter up the tabbed interface, use the browser plugin "A Bit Better RTM" which turns the list tabs into a side bar on the left.

This way your "main task" still shows up in your list, but you don't have to look at its subtasks unless you want to. Not optimal but definitely an improvement imho.

Posted 1 year ago

bigphille

Thanks @danny.adair. That was very helpfull to me.

Posted 1 year ago

To be honest, I don't like the tag workaround for subtasks. The idea would be to know for a certain task, what is still to be done. I can't do that with tags in a simple view. I would still go for the subtasks...

Posted 1 year ago

mhayes1973

Emily and the team.

I would love to see subtasks. As a Pro user, I'm aware that this is essentially quite a costly app/service to pay for, but would be willing to continue my subscription if sub-tasks are included. Happy for them to be in the Pro accounts only - I would happily continue to pay a subscription for its inclusion.

There are many great ideas in this list about how to implement this - and I realise that you have shot yourselves in the foot by being so good at what you do...! Implementing this update/feature across the incredibly wide range of applications will be difficult and time-consuming...!

Nevertheless, I really do hope that you guys are hearing what's being said.

It does need doing. So many people want it, that now we're paying customers, you really do need to figure out a way to make it work.

Please let us know how we can volunteer to test it out for you. Am happy to be a beta tester. I currently use the web app, Android and Google calendar integration - so if you need testing help please just let me know.

Looking forward to finally getting sub-tasks. Can't wait to see your blog post asking for volunteers. I guarantee that you will be inundated with responders volunteering to help you guys make this work.

How can we help you folks get this done? Just ask - you will be pleasantly surprised.

Thanks.

Posted 1 year ago