Feature Request: Reset All Recurring Tasks & New "Always Current" Task Type

[chrpotr]

As a long-time Asana user, I’ve come to rely heavily on recurring tasks to manage my ongoing responsibilities. However, I’ve noticed a pain point that I believe many users might share, and I’d like to propose a solution.

Current Challenge:
When life gets hectic and my to-do list falls behind, I often find myself with numerous overdue recurring tasks. Updating each of these tasks individually is time-consuming and disrupts my workflow. It’s frustrating to see a backlog of tasks that I know I won’t complete for their past due dates, but still need to track moving forward.

Proposed Solution 1: Reset All Recurring Tasks
I suggest implementing a “Reset All Recurring Tasks” function. This feature would:

1. Identify all overdue recurring tasks in a project or across the entire workspace
2. Update these tasks to their next occurrence date, with the condition that the new date is no earlier than the current date
3. Optionally, allow users to select which recurring tasks to reset, rather than applying to all

This function could be accessed via a button in the task list view or through a bulk edit option. It would save significant time and help users quickly get their task list back on track without losing sight of important recurring responsibilities.

Proposed Solution 2: “Always Current” Task Type
To address this issue proactively, I propose creating a new task type called “Always Current.” This task type would have the following characteristics:

• It would never become overdue
• Instead of accumulating missed instances, it would automatically reset to the next occurrence date whenever viewed
• Users could still see the original intended schedule in the task details
• An option to view skipped occurrences could be included for those who need to track missed instances

This task type would be perfect for recurring responsibilities that are important to keep on the radar but don’t necessarily need to be marked as “done” for every occurrence.Benefits:

1. Improved user experience by reducing clutter and the psychological burden of overdue tasks
2. Increased productivity by allowing users to focus on current and future tasks rather than outdated ones
3. Better alignment with real-world workflow, where some recurring tasks are more about consistent attention rather than strict adherence to a schedule

Potential Considerations:

• How would this interact with dependencies and subtasks?
• Would there be an option to maintain a log of resets or skipped occurrences?
• How might this affect reporting and analytics features?

I believe these additions would significantly enhance Asana’s functionality for managing recurring tasks and help users maintain more accurate, up-to-date task lists. I’m eager to hear thoughts from the Asana team and fellow users on this proposal. Thank you for considering this feature request!

[Jan-Rienk]

Welcome to the forum @chrpotr!

Thanks for sharing your ideas.

Although it is good to get some context and multiple options to solve a particular challenge, the topics in the Product Feedback feedback part of the forum it is better to make a post for each idea separately. This makes it easier to vote for specific solutions, and makes it clear what Asana is considering when they do decide to implement this feedback (see considered and in development).

This is why I’m moving this thread to Tips and Tricks

If you add links back & forth it can connect these ideas.

I do have some ideas on your proposals that I’ll share here.

@chrpotr

Proposed Solution 1: Reset All Recurring Tasks
I suggest implementing a “Reset All Recurring Tasks” function. This feature would:

1. Identify all overdue recurring tasks in a project or across the entire workspace
2. Update these tasks to their next occurrence date, with the condition that the new date is no earlier than the current date
3. Optionally, allow users to select which recurring tasks to reset, rather than applying to all

This function could be accessed via a button in the task list view or through a bulk edit option. It would save significant time and help users quickly get their task list back on track without losing sight of important recurring responsibilities.

• I use a project that contains all my recurring tasks. This allows me to easily edit them in bulk by multi-selecting in list or timeline view.
• Suggestion: "Run Rules Now" button is currently being considered. When/if this this is implemented you could use a rule to update them all at once. So I’d suggest adding your vote and voice there.

@chrpotr

Proposed Solution 2: “Always Current” Task Type
To address this issue proactively, I propose creating a new task type called “Always Current.” This task type would have the following characteristics:

• It would never become overdue
• Instead of accumulating missed instances, it would automatically reset to the next occurrence date whenever viewed
• Users could still see the original intended schedule in the task details
• An option to view skipped occurrences could be included for those who need to track missed instances

This would be possible using rules and a cusom field like so:

select Runs on Tasks as the Task is overdue trigger doesn’t run on subtasks.

I’m not sure how to indicate with a custom field that it is automatically completed, as rules don’t work for new instances of recurring tasks (see Enable Recurring Tasks to Trigger Rules), and changing a field in this rule executes before the new copy is made with the recurring task.

You will be able to see there is a comment added, so if you usually don’t comment on these kind of tasks that might do the trick.

PS: When you do create the new threads, don’t forget to vote for your own feedback.