Task Groups

Task groups organize tasks hierarchically using Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Parent tasks contain subtasks, creating a structured breakdown of project work.

Understanding Task Groups

Task grouping provides:

• Hierarchical Organization - Parent-child relationships
• Progress Aggregation - Parent shows child completion
• Logical Structure - Group related work together
• Navigation - Collapse/expand for overview

WBS Hierarchy

Structure Example

1.0 Site Preparation
  1.1 Survey and Layout
    1.1.1 Boundary Survey
    1.1.2 Stake Layout
  1.2 Earthwork
    1.2.1 Excavation
    1.2.2 Grading
2.0 Foundation
  2.1 Formwork
  2.2 Reinforcement
  2.3 Concrete Pour

Hierarchy Levels

Creating Parent Tasks

From Scratch

1. Create a task normally
2. Add subtasks beneath it
3. Parent is created automatically

Converting Existing Task

1. Select the task to become parent
2. Add subtasks to it
3. Original task becomes parent

Parent Task Behavior

Parent tasks:

• Summarize subtask progress
• Show aggregated dates (earliest start, latest end)
• Cannot have own effort (if summarizing)
• Expand/collapse in views

Adding Subtasks

Method 1: Add Subtask Action

1. Select parent task
2. Click Add Subtask
3. Enter subtask details
4. Save - appears under parent

Method 2: Indent Existing Task

1. Select task below intended parent
2. Click Indent action
3. Task becomes child of task above

Method 3: Drag and Drop

1. Drag task to parent
2. Drop on parent
3. Task becomes subtask

WBS Codes

Automatic Generation

YAPL generates WBS codes automatically:

• Based on hierarchy position
• Updates when structure changes
• Sequential within siblings

Code Format

Default format: X.Y.Z

• X = First level number
• Y = Second level number
• Z = Third level number

Reorganizing Structure

Moving Tasks

Within same parent:

• Drag up/down to reorder
• WBS codes update

To different parent:

• Drag to new parent
• Or use move action

To top level:

• Outdent task
• Becomes top-level task

Indent and Outdent

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Tab - Indent (make subtask)
• Shift+Tab - Outdent (move up level)

Expand and Collapse

Collapsing Groups

• Click arrow/toggle on parent task
• Hides all subtasks
• Shows summary info

Expanding Groups

• Click arrow/toggle again
• Shows all subtasks
• Navigate full structure

Expand/Collapse All

• Use toolbar action to expand all
• Or collapse all for overview

Progress Aggregation

How Progress Rolls Up

Parent task progress can calculate from children:

Summary Tasks

When parent summarizes children:

• Start date = earliest child start
• End date = latest child end
• Duration = span of children
• Progress = aggregated from children

Grouping Strategies

Phase-Based

Phase 1 - Design
  Requirements
  Specifications
  Review
Phase 2 - Development
  Frontend
  Backend
  Integration

Deliverable-Based

Foundation
  Design
  Materials
  Construction
  Inspection
Framing
  Design
  Materials
  Construction
  Inspection

Location-Based

Building A
  Floor 1
  Floor 2
Building B
  Floor 1
  Floor 2

Hybrid

Combine approaches as needed for your project.

Best Practices

Structure Guidelines

When to Create Groups

• Related work should be grouped
• Phases or milestones as top level
• Deliverables as second level
• Tasks as lowest level

When Not to Group

• Don't create single-child parents
• Avoid excessive nesting
• Keep structure meaningful

Task Groups in Views

Tasks List View

• Full hierarchy visible
• Expand/collapse controls
• WBS codes shown
• Progress bars for parents

Gantt View

• Summary bars for parents
• Subtasks indented
• Expand/collapse
• Duration spans

Kanban View

• Flat by default
• May show summary tasks
• Individual tasks movable

Troubleshooting

Cannot Create Subtask

"Task limit reached"

• At plan task limit
• Remove unused tasks

"Cannot nest here"

• Check hierarchy rules
• Verify parent can have children

WBS Codes Wrong

• Reorganize structure
• Codes regenerate automatically
• Refresh if needed

Progress Not Aggregating

• Check parent aggregation mode
• Verify children have progress
• Review calculation settings

Structure Disorganized

• Plan structure before creating
• Use consistent naming
• Reorganize as needed

Related Topics

• Creating Tasks - Task creation
• Task Properties - Task configuration
• Gantt Charts - Timeline visualization