Before I answer more fully, I just want to make sure the problem statement is clear: is it accurate to say that your issue is that while you can create a rule where the subtask dates are set relative to the parent task, the subtasks dates can only be set to fall after the parent’s due date, and you want the subtask dates to fall before the parent task’s date?
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Correct. I need the subtasks to lead up to the Due Date, not fall after.
There are other forum threads that relate to this request but none I could find that express it specifically that we could merge this one into. So I renamed the title here - hope that’s OK.
As you observed, Asana’s “Create subtasks” rule action can only set subtask due dates that fall after the parent’s due date.
FYI one solution unless/until Asana provides the requested capability is the Add subtasks rule action in our Flowsana integration; it can set subtask dates to dates before the parent’s due date.
That is frustrating for creative teams but I appreciate your help.
My company already pays for Asana so I don’t think they would be thrilled to be paying for an additional software to make Asana work the way we need it to but I’ll check it out. Thanks.
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@Emily_Kokol-Rivera1 @Phil_Seeman Isn’t this the same request?
It appears to be in development.
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Looks like it is. Thanks @Jan-Rienk!
@Emily_Kokol-Rivera1 @Phil_Seeman I merged your topic into this one. Votes have been trasferred.
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Hi all 
Meanwhile, until Asana comes with the functionality (I’m sure very soon), let me introduce a handy workaround that wasn’t known yet from the community (presumably).
Yes, very curious what the other workarounds are
I am mind blown that this is not available yet. As someone who is using Asana to manage a content calendar I need my subtasks (my creative/copywriting elements) due way before my content goes live. Having a task due alert for those I am assigning these sub tasks would be so helpful.
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Been researching this for days and decided on another platform – I went insane/drove myself to tears.
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Another vote for adding this feature asap! It’s so necessary for my organization to be able to set due dates for subtasks BEFORE the due date of the parent task.
This is the exact situation I am currently trying to do. I tried the “work around” ways and it is not working for me.
Note: Not a solution but marked as such to elevate a key reply
Rather than focusing on counting back from the due date, I’ve set an automation that notices when a due date is approaching in X days - let’s use 5 as an example. Then, I am able to set subtasks relative to the trigger, rather than the due date.
EXAMPLE:
TRIGGER: When due date is approaching [5 days before]
CONDITION: Task type narrowed to the one that uses your example timeline
ACTION: Create subtasks:
- Subtask 1 (needs to be due 3 days before due date), task due in 2 days, based on trigger time
- Subtask 2 (needs to be due 2 days before due date), task due in 3 days, based on trigger time
- Subtask 3 (due 1 day before due date), task due in 4 days, based on trigger time
- Subtask 4 (due on due date), task due in 5 days, based on trigger time
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Welcome, @Carly_R_Fredericks, and that’s very clever! I’ve elevated your post as a helpful workaround. Thanks for posting!
Larry
Hi everyone, I’m happy to share that it’s now possible to have rules set due dates in the past for subtasks! 
You can find more information about this in our latest Product announcement, New Date Actions in Rules!.
Thank you so much for sharing your feedback! 
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