Project and Task Management in Coda

Introduction

• Coda allows efficient project and task management.
• Building a project management document from scratch.
• Focus on foundational structure first, not visuals.

Initial Setup

1. Create Three Tables: Projects, Tasks, Subtasks
   • DB Projects
   • DB Tasks
   • DB Subtasks
   • These tables are initially not linked.

Linking Tables

Define Table Columns

• Projects: Project
• Tasks: Task
• Subtasks: Subtask

Connecting Tables

• Tasks to Projects
  • Use a lookup column to connect Task to Project.
• Subtasks to Tasks
  • Use a lookup column to connect Subtask to Task.

Example Tasks and Subtasks

• Wash the car: Buy soap, Get a hose
• Build a bike: Get a bike chain, Get wheels

Automating Connections

Formula for Displaying Tasks in Projects

1. Use filter in the formula editor: dbtasks.filter(...)
2. Dynamically updates tasks when a project is modified.
3. Create a total tasks column with: alltasks.count
4. Checkbox for marking tasks as done.
5. Count incomplete tasks with a filter.

Modal View

• Customize modal views by editing layout.
• Embed task tables directly within the project modal view.

Subtasks Automation

• Repeat structure for subtasks.
• Connect subtasks to tasks, not projects.
• Formula for computing and displaying subtasks.
• Example: Subtasks for Buy soap.

Adding Buttons for User Interaction

Creating a Task Button

1. Add Task button in Projects table: add task
2. Button presets values: add a row to dbtasks with project.
3. Duplicate buttons for additional functionalities.

Editing Layout for Better Appearance

• Hide unrelated columns
• Configure buttons to display subtasks count.
• Modify labels and format for better visual information.

Subtask Button

• Similar to Add Task Button
• Adds rows to DB Subtasks.
• Use format to dynamically show subtask counts.

Final Touches and User Interface

Structuring the Document

1. Organize backend tables into a Databases folder.
2. Create user interface pages (Projects) for interaction.

Creating a Visual Interface

• Use connected views instead of new tables.
• Integrate visual elements like charts for project overviews.
• Customize for team collaboration: comments, files, subtasks assignment.

Conclusion

• Foundational structures enable rich, powerful project management.
• Additional customization enhances usability.
• Templates available for easy setup.