Re: Breaking tasks down into subtasks

From: "David A. Gershman" <dagershman@dagertech.net>
To: orgmode <emacs-orgmode@gnu.org>
Subject: Re: Breaking tasks down into subtasks
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:54:22 -0800 (PST)	[thread overview]
Message-ID: <20081112225422.384DC320057@mail.dagertech.net> (raw)

I do this *ALL* the time, so allow me to chime in on this one.

Any heading which has a [%] or [/] at the end will _automatically_ be
updated as its subtasks *Todo-keywords* are updated.  So consider the
following *starting* point:

  * Major Goal [%]
    * Task #1
    * Task #2
    * Task #3

At this point, I've just typed things up.  Now if I put the cursor on
any of the "Task #n" headlines and change the Todo-Keywords (I use
Shift-Left_Cursor_Key or Shift-Right_Cursor_key), the [%] will
automatically get updated.

So assuming my Todo-Keywords were defined at the top of my file:

   #+SEQ_TODO: INITIATED IN_PROGRESS PAUSED | COMPLETED

Putting the cursor on Task #1 and pressing Shift-Right would produce:

  * Major Goal [0%]
    * INITIATED Task #1
    * Task #2
    * Task #3

Notice the Todo-Keyword AND the '0' now in the percent.  The percent's
value will only change if a Todo Keyword changes from one on the left
side of the '|' to the right or vice versa.  In other words, if a task
becomes COMPLETED, the [%] value will change.  Conversely if I change a
COMPLETED task to INITIATED, IN_PROGRESS, or PAUSED, the [%] will change.

So from here, let's change Task #2 to COMPLETED:

  * Major 

> This seems basic, but I'm having trouble understanding how to 'activate' 
> the [%33] or [1/2] on a heading as shown in the section 5.5 example. Are 
> these done manually? Is this seen in only certain agenda views?
> 
> I'm using 6.12a
> 
> Thanks,
> 
I do this *ALL* the time, so allow me to chime in on this one.

Any heading which has a [%] or [/] at the end will _automatically_ be
updated as its subtasks *Todo-keywords* are updated.  So consider the
following *starting* point:

  * Major Goal [%]
    * Task #1
    * Task #2
    * Task #3

At this point, I've just typed things up.  Now if I put the cursor on
any of the "Task #n" headlines and change the Todo-Keywords (I use
Shift-Left_Cursor_Key or Shift-Right_Cursor_key), the [%] will
automatically get updated.

So assuming my Todo-Keywords were defined at the top of my file:

   #+SEQ_TODO: INITIATED IN_PROGRESS PAUSED | COMPLETED

Putting the cursor on Task #1 and pressing Shift-Right would produce:

  * Major Goal [0%]
    * INITIATED Task #1
    * Task #2
    * Task #3

Notice the Todo-Keyword AND the '0' now in the percent.  The percent's
value will only change if a Todo Keyword changes from one on the left
side of the '|' to the right or vice versa.  In other words, if a task
becomes COMPLETED, the [%] value will change.  Conversely if I change a
COMPLETED task to INITIATED, IN_PROGRESS, or PAUSED, the [%] will change.

So from here, let's change Task #2 to COMPLETED (use multiple
Shift-Lefts or Shift-Rights to cycle through):

  * Major Goal [33%]
    * INITIATED Task #1
    * COMPLETED Task #2
    * Task #3

If Task #1 is then PAUSED:

  * Major Goal [33%]
    * PAUSED Task #1
    * COMPLETED Task #2
    * Task #3

Notice the [%] is still 33%.  This is because only 1 task is marked with
a "right-side-of '|'" keyword.

If we finish Task #1 and start Task #3, we change their keywords:

  * Major Goal [66%]
    * COMPLETED Task #1
    * COMPLETED Task #2
    * IN_PROGRESS Task #3

Lastly, the [%] and [/] can work for checklists as well.  I use this for
basic daily todo items:

  * Morning Actions [/]
    - [ ] Feed Cats
    - [ ] Feed Dog
    - [ ] Wake kid
    - [ ] Change kid
    - [ ] Check email

Notice the [/] is not updated.  To start it off I must check off one of
the list items by putting the cursor in the box "- [ ]" and pressing C-c
C-c.  As I complete things, the [/] values will be updated, including if
I add/remove items from the list:

  * Morning Actions [3/5]
    - [X] Feed Cats
    - [ ] Feed Dog
    - [X] Wake kid
    - [X] Change kid
    - [ ] Check email

Hope this helps...

> This seems basic, but I'm having trouble understanding how to 'activate' 
> the [%33] or [1/2] on a heading as shown in the section 5.5 example. Are 
> these done manually? Is this seen in only certain agenda views?
> 
> I'm using 6.12a
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Yann
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Emacs-orgmode mailing list
> Remember: use `Reply All' to send replies to the list.
> Emacs-orgmode@gnu.org
> http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/emacs-orgmode
> 
> 

---------------
David A. Gershman
gershman@dagertech.net
http://dagertech.net/gershman/
"It's all about the path!" --d. gershman
> Yann
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Emacs-orgmode mailing list
> Remember: use `Reply All' to send replies to the list.
> Emacs-orgmode@gnu.org
> http://lists.gnu.org/mailman/listinfo/emacs-orgmode
> 
> 

---------------
David A. Gershman
gershman@dagertech.net
http://dagertech.net/gershman/
"It's all about the path!" --d. gershman