Subtask-Based Automation for Parent Tasks

English Forum Product Feedback
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Hi Asana Team,

I’d like to suggest a feature to improve automation in structured workflows.

Use Case

We manage process-driven work (e.g. supplier complaints) using tasks with standardized subtasks like D3, D5 and D8. Certain subtasks represent key milestones.

Current Limitation

Rules cannot trigger actions on the parent task when a specific subtask is completed.

Workaround

We currently use dependencies:

  • Parent task depends on a subtask (e.g. D8)
  • Rule: “Task is unblocked → update status”

This works, but only for simple scenarios.

Limitation of Workaround

This approach allows only one subtask to act as the controlling trigger.

Not possible:

  • multiple subtasks as triggers
  • combined conditions (e.g. D8 and another step)
  • different subtasks triggering different outcomes

Request

Allow rules such as: “When subtask ‘D8’ is completed → update the parent task (status, section, etc.)”

Thanks for considering this improvement.