[grimble]

Hi,

I really like the 'next action' filter option but it seems that either I don't understand it or it doesn't work properly.

Treo 680, Bonsai Build 2805

I use 'tasks' for projects and ToDo's for Actions. Tasks and sub-tasks have checked off 'Parent of Next Action Items'. Subtasks are sometimes in different categories (@home, @phone, @city).

I'd like to setup a bunch filters with different categories that would show me only one NextAction from each project and sub-projects, based on category (@context).

I cannot understand why after selecting filter, Bonsai shows me only top level task (project name). When 'flat view' is chosen bonsai says that there is nothing to show.

Can someone please help me to select proper combination of options to show NextActions also from sub-tasks? Thanks in advance :)

Bartek

[Richard Murphy]

This behavior is by design. It is assumed that the group of child items must be done in order. As per the manual:
Next Action - This option works in conjunction with the "Parent of Next Action Items" attribute that is applied to parent items in the outline. When this option is checked Bonsai will examine all the child items of such a parent and select the first incomplete item (also know as the Next Action). If that item does not match the other attributes of the filter then none of the children are displayed.

[grimble]

Richard Murphy, on Jan 5 2009, 07:05 PM, said:

If that item does not match the other attributes of the filter then none of the children are displayed.

Thanks for reply. Let's say we have a situation like this:

- project (task marked as parent of next action items)
-- ToDo1
-- ToDo2
-- sub-task(task also marked as parent of next action items)
--- ToDo3
--- ToDo4
-- ToDo5

ToDo1, ToDo2 are completed, sub-task: 1) is not completed 2) is "task or ToDo", so it matches all filter atributes but ToDo3 is not displayed. This is also 'by design'? :)

[Richard Murphy]

Seems to be working given my testing of your example. Does ToDo3 match the category you are filtering on? If not, then the whole project branch will be filtered out. Otherwise, it might be best to create a sample outline that reproduces the issue and attach it to your reply.

[grimble]

Richard Murphy, on Jan 7 2009, 08:48 PM, said:

Seems to be working given my testing of your example.

Yes, my fault. I didn't note that I want to 'sub-task', ToDo3 and ToDo4 to be in diferent category than whole 'project'. Lets say 'Project' is kitchen renovation (@home), and sub-task is to 'buy materials' (@city).

When I'm out I want to be able to select filter '@city' to have clear next actions to do.

Bartek

[Richard Murphy]

Then it is working as designed. Even if items are subtasks, the rule applies:
If that item does not match the other attributes of the filter then none of the children are displayed.
Since the first child does not match the branch it will not be displayed. The assumption is the next action items must be done in order and since the first incomplete child does not match the filter, then it is not appropriate to display the branch.

[tonyb]

grimble, on Jan 8 2009, 04:14 PM, said:

Yes, my fault. I didn't note that I want to 'sub-task', ToDo3 and ToDo4 to be in diferent category than whole 'project'. Lets say 'Project' is kitchen renovation (@home), and sub-task is to 'buy materials' (@city).

When I'm out I want to be able to select filter '@city' to have clear next actions to do.

Bartek

The filter will look at the category of the task, not the category of the parent.

Assuming your categories are as follows:
- project (task marked as parent of next action items)
-- ToDo1 [category = @home]
-- ToDo2 [category = @home]
-- sub-task(task also marked as parent of next action items)
--- ToDo3 [category = @city]
--- ToDo4 [category = @city]

Assume also you have two filters @home and @city, which are next action/flat filters.

If you select the @home filter it will show you ToDo1. The @city filter won't show you anything.
If you mark ToDo1 complete @home will show you ToDo2. The @city filter won't show you anything.
If you mark ToDo2 complete, then @home won't show you anything. The @city filter will show you ToDo3.
etc

The next action filter is for strict sequences. If ToDo3 and ToDo4 can be done any time you are in the city (irrespective of whether or not Todo1 and ToDo2 are done) then you should instead have:
- project (task NOT marked as parent of next action items)
-- sub-taskA(task also marked as parent of next action items)
--- ToDo1 [category = @home]
--- ToDo2 [category = @home]
-- sub-taskB(task also marked as parent of next action items)
--- ToDo3 [category = @city]
--- ToDo4 [category = @city]

Then selecting @home will show ToDo1 (and then after that ToDo2).
Selecting @city will show ToDo3 (and then after that ToDo4).

Tony

[grimble]

Many thanks for help :)

Bartek