Add a new task
You can create a plan of action by adding tasks, either to the backlog in your task board or directly to your ideas. Learn more about the task board here.
Tasks in the backlog
To add a new task to the backlog, first open the task board by clicking on the task board icon, which resembles a grid, located at the top of the screen.
Before you add a new task, use the blue drop-down list to choose whether the task should be added to the top or the bottom of the list of tasks in the backlog. This helps you to keep control of ordering priorities when adding new tasks.
To create a new task, click the green plus sign in the backlog.
This will bring up a text box. Start typing and press enter to save your task.
Tasks in ideas
To add a task to any idea in your Doodle, hover over the idea or click on it once to reveal the icon panel.
Click on the pencil icon to visit ‘detailed view’, where you can dive in and develop your idea with notes, media and tasks.
Select the ‘Tasks’ tab, where you can add new tasks.
You can also see other tasks relating to that idea, which have already been added, and click between ‘Backlog’ and ‘In progress’ to get a sense of progress.
Before you add a new task, use the blue drop-down list to choose whether the task should be added to the top or the bottom of the list of tasks in the backlog.
To create a new task, click the green plus sign.
This will bring up a text box. Start typing and press enter to save your task.
Edit a task
In order to edit, discuss or delete a task, hover over the task to reveal an icon panel. Click on the icon you need, choosing from the following options:
- Edit – Click the edit icon, resembling a pencil, to edit the task and add more details
- Chat – Click the chat icon, resembling a speech bubble, to open chat and discuss the task
- Delete – Click the delete icon, resembling a trash can, to delete the task
When you edit a task, you will be taken to a new screen, where you can select from four tabs:
- Details
- Media
- History
- Move
Details
Click on the ‘Details’ tab to edit your task and add more information.
Task name
Update the name of the task by highlighting the text and typing something new.
Task notes
Add notes to your task to provide direct instruction, ensuring all relevant team members can understand what action should be taken.
Task types
Provide further clarification about what sort of task you have created by selecting the task type.
The task type will be set to default.
Click on the circle beside the task type to select it.
Priority
Prioritise your task to clarify its importance and improve focus.
The priority will be set to default.
Click on the circle beside the priority to select it.
If you need another option, you could customise your task board to create new task types and priorities.
Expected completion date
You can set an expected completion date to help plan your time efficiently.
Click on the default date and use the calendar to pick a date.
Time estimate
Time estimates help you to monitor how much time each task will take, which influences estimations for each sprint, and for an entire project.
Add a time estimate for your task by:
- Using the arrows to increase or decrease the time estimation value
- Typing a time estimate
Remaining time
Update the remaining hours before a task is completed. This will improve accuracy of burn-down charts.
Add a time estimate in the ‘Remaining’ box by:
- Using the arrows to increase or decrease the time estimation value
- Typing a time estimate
Story Points
Story Points help teams to share measurement units for the effort required to finish a more significant implementation of work.
This could be a phase of work, which is made up of a number of tasks assigned to different team members. These tasks may also be dependent on one other, creating a complex body of work.
To work out the value of your Story Points, use a drop down lists for the following:
- Complexity / Risk
- Work / Magnitude
For Complexity / Risk, choose from:
- Not set
- Simple
- Moderate
- Hard
- Challenging
For Work / Magnitude, choose from:
- Not set
- Short task
- Medium task
- Long task
- Very long task
The value of your Story Points will automatically update based on your choices in the drop-down lists.
Sprint
To move a task to a different sprint in your task board, use the drop-down list to select another sprint.
Once selected, the task will automatically move to the new sprint.
User assignment
You can choose which team member you want to assign a task to or ask contributors to assign themselves to tasks.
To assign a user, select a team member from the drop-down list or start typing the name to search. Click on their username to assign them.
To remove an assignment, click on the cross icon.
Idea
To update the idea that a task is connected to, select from the drop-down list or start typing the idea name to search.
Status
Update the status for a task by selecting from the drop-down list or start typing a status to search.
Alternatively, when you are viewing the task board, you can drag-and-drop tasks to update the status across the board.
Media
To add any media, such as images or other files, click on the ‘Media’ tab.
Drag and drop a file into the box with the dotted border or click select files to choose.
You can select which type of files from the media library to view using the drop down list to choose between:
- All
- Images
- Files
History
To see the history of a task, click on the ‘History’ tab.
You will see any changes that have been made to a task, including:
- Change of user assignment, task type, priority, status etc.
- Which user made the change
- The date and time of the change
Move
To move a task to another task board (in a different Doodle), click on the ‘Move’ tab.
Use the drop-down list to select another Doodle or start typing the name of the Doodle to search.
Click on the Doodle you’d like to move the task to, then select the idea you’d like to task to relate to.
Once you have chosen, click the green ‘Move’ button.
Navigate to other tasks
Whilst editing, you can switch between different tasks using the list of tasks on the left hand-side of the screen.
To go back to the task board, use the ‘back’ arrow on the top left-hand side or click on the agile icon, resembling a grid, at the top of the screen.