Actions inherit project due dates
I have a number of projects that have overall due dates attached to the project as a whole. I would like to have any "next action(s)" associated with them inherit that due date and be displayed in the Next Action view when the "due date" filter is applied.
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Gustav commented
I'd like to see some solution for this as well. I often use less complex projects, like:
Project: Send out new forms
Sub-task: Check with HR what form is needed
Sub-task: Download forms from intra
Sub-task: Get a list of who needs the new formThe project will have a due-date, but it is cumbersome to set the same due-date for all sub-tasks. Instead having them inherit the parent task's due-dates would be better. In this canse, the sub-tasks don't need separate due-dates as they can all be handled quickly.
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AdminSergio (co-founder, GTD Next) commented
Interesting, but I see a few problems. I've run a lot of projects over the years and rarely are all my actions "due" at the same time as my project is "due".
You actually want to complete your tasks as soon as possible and I'm worried that if we arbitrarily assigned due dates to tasks and sub-projects we would be fostering a false sense of security.
For example, three weeks out from your projects due date it could look like all is well because all 20 of your tasks aren't due for 3 weeks. Then boom, the week your project is due, you realize you still have 20 tasks to complete.
Also, by not assigning any dates, you are forced to review each task and decide if it really needs a due date. Or if it can be done at any time. This is the more natural way to plan with GTD. Taking the time to review each task is a good thing!
Thoughts?
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andrew brown commented
If possible, this could assigns due dates as a proportion of the time remaining. ie project due in 6 days with 3 subtasks. the 1st would be due in 2 days, the next in 4 days, and the final due at the same time as the project.
This could also be done recursively down a project tree, but keeping the granularity of due dates as days.