What is your biggest frustration with task management applications like Todoist, WunderList etc.
Hey, I am Rajat. Lurking in the forums from quite a while, haven't added much to the conversation till now. But it's changing today. First of all, I would like to thank each and every one of you for building such an awesome community where I am confident to share details without any fear. You have really inspired me to pursue my own side hustle!
Since you guys preach to validate things, I am gonna do that by asking you a few questions. Appreciate if you can take a stab at these.
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What do you currently use to manage tasks and what's your favorite feature? If not using now, why did you stop? What will make you start using one? Tell me about your frustrations.
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Do you like how you're able to make lists like Today/Tomorrow/Grocery Shopping? Do you feel tasks form a huge list and need a more structure? How would you feel if the application is structured/focused more around Goals instead of tasks?
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Since I am asking this to the Makers and Hackers, would you want friends to hold you accountable for things you're shipping or tasks you're ticking off? How about instead of friends they are just random nice people who happen to want to see you grow?
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What do you think of the idea of collaboration on tasks as a team? What's a single most important thing you'd like to see in a collaborative task list?
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What will make you switch to a new app?
Also, as a more free-form question, please share your thoughts about your encounters with task management apps. Just about anything you feel is worth sharing. Will help me a lot.
That's all. I know this is a lot to ask! You guys are wonderful people. As a token of appreciation, if I do manifest this idea in reality, you'll be the first ones to know. (And get access to all premium features for free. (given there are premium features :) ))
I have tried many todos productivity apps and eventually decided on plain text files, sync’d with Dropbox, with 1Writer on mobile and nvAlt on the Mac (I also use another app on windows but don’t remember the name off the top of my head). (edit: Windows app is called ResophNotes) (edit2: I also use Sublime Text on both Mac and Windows for these)
What didn’t work for me with all the hosted solutions was the simple fact that I cannot export my notes/lists easily. Having to rely on app/service providers can get frustrating when you have to switch between platforms or need flexibility (a way to work that’s not how a tool is designed).
Plain text files is the simplest solution for me and with Dropbox sync + good client reader/writing apps it works great.
For working with teams, we use Pivotal Tracker, Trello, and GitHub Project. PT is my personal favourite.
I thought that it was just me. I use an ordered todo.txt with immediate tasks (the current iteration), backlog.txt and notes.txt. Recently, I have also started using VisualStudio Online boards with 3 columns - to do, in progress, done; just to give it some time perspective. That's how I run my business.
Interesting. I like the idea of having dropbox sync plain text files. I am assuming here that you'd remove a task from the text file to "mark it as done". If so, don't you miss the historic data like all the past todos etc?
Around the exporting part: Have you explored the publically exposed APIs for exporting your lists from different services? Is it because APIs are too daunting?
Once a task is done, I simply delete text from the file. For me the todo list needs to be simple and fast, and I don't really need history info. For anything more complex, I would use Pivotal Tracker/Trello.
As an end user, I don't really want to mess with APIs/exporting for lists. I want them to be easily accessible and searchable without having to worry about platform lock-ins. For example, I liked Google Keep, but accessing it on iOS was a pain for the longest time until Google released an app for it. I couldn't get my notes out of Google Keep and that was very frustrating. With text files, I know I don't have to worry about proprietary formats - keeping it simple.
Yes, I agree with you 100%. A user shouldn't have to mess around with APIs for getting things done.
Can you add a little bit on why do you prefer plain files more? Is it the free-form nature or just offline edits? Do you think an offline first web app would work the same if not better?
Since you mentioned about the mobile app -- do you think is it a must have or just good to have?
Mobile apps are must haves for me, especially for ToDos and Ideas lists. You remember things you need to do or come up with ideas often on the go. Web apps are too slow for this imo.
Re: text files - yes the free form nature is great as you can use it however you see fit. For some lists I have #headings and some without. With Sublime Text, I installed a plugin that allows me to collapse sections of the file which is handy. Offline edits - it's not something I think about too much as I am almost always connected. However I do noticed it when there's a conflict and i have to merge two files.
It did take me a while to set the whole thing up - finding the right client apps, setting up sync individually, and figuring out a file/folder structure that works best. I wouldn't switch to a web app at this point now that I have everything set up and working well. However I can see value from a convenience angle - a web app will not require the user to commit time setting it up.
I think the challenge is that people have different styles of getting things done, and there is no single app that can please everybody... That's ok, I guess, but worse is that there's no single app that has everything a person needs to get things done efficiently.
I've tried dozens in the past few years, and the one that I could stick with the longest, and found myself using on a continuous basis, was OmniFocus. I haven't been using it for a while, mainly because of a particular behaviour that made it super annoying for me:
Just Google "omnifocus hide empty projects"...
I think I had other reasons too (e.g. not web-based and no public API)
The thing I really liked about OmniFocus is how flexible it is with structuring projects, and that it allows you to set up parallel and sequential task lists...
I think I'd need to start using OmniFocus again to be able to give a more detailed answer here. I might be doing that...
I'm currently using Things but I don't like the way it organises stuff. Worst thing is that there isn't a single view where you can see every task that is available to be worked on right now.
I agree. It is really difficult to have a single solution for different needs. Out of curiosity which all platforms do you use the todo app on? Do you care about a complementary mobile app/desktop app if the web interface is present?
BTW, since you dislike Things organization model, what would you say an ideal Project organization would look like?
I have not found a todo list that solves the human problem. I can organize my tasks and schedule them until the cows come home but nothing can force me to do them.
It would be interesting to see how the user could be held either monetarily or socially accountable for their todo list.
Perhaps a way to break a "TODO" into smaller tasks that are less daunting? Without getting into a big project management-type app/workflow.
I get reminder emails from Todoist every day and I'm trained to just delete them. How about a variety of ways in which the TODO app reminds you and at random intervals. e.g. A random text message at 8pm "You didn't complete XXX !" or even a Snail Mail reminder! Or, even worse, remind your significant other of your non-completed task via text. Imagine your wife or girlfriend: "Hey, finish that task, your stupid app is texting me!"
it might help(but probably not) to be able to interact via text and or email.
list tasks
response:
add task XXYY due friday
mark task 3 as complete
list backlog tasks
Yes, yes amazing. This is a perfect candidate for a Command line tool or a slack app/bot. I like the idea of interfacing with the Todo client in this way. Have you used any app which does this?
Would you use something like this with CLI or a slack interface?
I have heard that many are doing something similar with email clients (gmail?). Basically they figure out one way or another to have emails that require action to be temporarily "snoozed" then pop to the top again in a day or maybe 3. I like that idea. A lot!
Like the idea of sending spouse an email :)
I am also thinking along the lines of social/monetary accountability. Maybe someone nudges the person to go do the tasks they have been putting off.
I concur automated reminders don't work. Maybe if we add a bit of a human touch to it. Maybe you have an action item everytime you get an email.
Do you think lack of motivation to complete Todos is because of little gratification? What if we could gamify it a bit. Thoughts?
Todoist has some kinda of score thing and I wasn't motivated by it. But gamification does seem to work in general.
Trello is my tool to go. It works perfectly for one alone and also if you collaborate with a small group of people.
doesnt scale that good in a developer team > 3 to be honest, when you need a joined task management
Hi Rajat, a little late to the party, but here are my 2 cents. I actually use several note taking apps, but each has a different purpose.
Based in order of how long I need to keep the information:
Good luck with your validation!
-Ryan
My biggest frustration lies not in the tools, but in the workflow between myself and clients' teams - some use Trello, some use Basecamp, some use Todoist, and I prefer all of my work tasks to be in Github Issues + Projects (because that's where work 'lives'). Anything else like e-mails and/or errands isn't work, it's messaging andnotifications.
So yea... keeping things synced across clients and staying on top of due dates would be my biggest "thing".
Hi
I Use todoist and Asana for personal. I like that todosit is quick and easy to jot down quick task and thoughts. I like the widget for both android and ios. That feature alone is why I found I just naturally used it more than other apps. I also like that I can easily later go back and organize all task by EOD. It's how I set what are my top 3 things to do the following day. At one point I worked as a IT Manager at a company that wouldn't get pm or ticketing software for MONTHS, so get this, can you believe I used todoist as a ticketing system by creating an IT account and managed 170 tickets weekly just from that app. No frustrations, I'm usually frustrated w/ cost vs not too many features.
Yes, I love to be able to quickly categorize task by project, deadline, by a label, by inbox type, and color is #1 for me. I'm a visual person and if I see too many red dots in my task list, I know I'm behind and need to get serious.
Are you saying task as gamified goals driven by the community? I think that's a good idea! I'd actually like that. Recently I've been posting on product hunt maker goals and because its public, it holds me accountable, and it cool people cheer you on when you complete something.
Progress, notes, and attachments are important for task collaboration, and even an in task chat feature. I hate that most task list you can see what others are doing, but then I need to go over to slack to discuss it? That's annoying lol. I'm sure people would like to see a chat or comment section.
What would make me switch is ease of use, availability (integrations everwhere), decent price for the premium version, and aesthetics. Beleive it or not without thinking about it, I sometimes stop using an app because it's ugly.
I hope this helps! Also great Idea, I think I'll do the same for my product as well! I know what problem I'm trying to fix and things I hated, but validation is best.
Hi Rajat,
I use Trello for my personal stuff and work management. I also use it for other stuff like saving reading lists etc but that is beside the point.
I have a kanban style setup. I also have 4 distinct main "projects" I manage there. Work, indiehack, FBA & personal. My setup works pretty well but it would be awesome if I could have a cross board overview of all tasks sitting in the "Today" column. I find myself not balancing my time and effort correctly (usually more in favour of doing more work as that is what pays the rent). If I could see everything I wished to achieve today across all projects in one list I feel it would help me focus on balancing all 4 projects better.
Hi Rory, since you are asking a specific question on Trello and I created Placker.com that solves this, please allow me to chip in;
Placker allows you to view multiple boards in the same view and combine them into one. You can also look at the combined views into a daily or weekly planner to plan the work across the boards into the same view, to then focus on your single project as you planned it.
Hey, I just checked it out. It is very cool looking. Unfortunately Trello is free though. Hard to compete against that for personal use stuff considering I'm already paying for Jira for my indiehack project and we also pay another Jira for work (and a projectmanager.com sub too).
Thanks and I'm not sure if it is clear but works as a power-up on top of Trello, you can import your boards to view them all in the same place. It is indeed not free so it might not work for your personal projects although I have a lot of users that use Placker this way. Keep it in mind whenever you plan to use Trello professionally :)
It wasn't clear. Maybe you should lead with that. "Super-charge your Trello" or something along those lines
thanks for suggestion, most users start with Placker through the power-up store in Trello which is why the landing page can need an update as it is not top priority.
I've used a few to-do lists but my favourites are Things 3, Asana, Teux Deux and AnyList (for shopping).
First, from my point of view a task manager is not a replacement for the ability to execute, it is a tool to help already productive people becomes more productive in their own workflow. Enabling them to collect information, plan, track and execute.
My issue with most task manager is that they require me to manually maintain a parallel universe to the other tools I use to execute a project such emails, files, links, notes etc. This manual maintenance require a lot of discipline and typing. When I am busy I am less likely to update the task list and then few days after that my tasks are out-of-date and it takes even more energy to fix, which I am less likely todo.
For me the the solution was a tool that integrates everything I need to complete a project, organize in any way I want it, and schedule anything I want emails, files, links, notes etc. The key was that I even process my email inbox within this tool so it becomes the place to go for everything and a habit.
I use a tool that I developed for Gmail (Centask) to manage and schedule a single outline composed of emails, todos, notes, links, and google drive files/images. It works for me