Task Relations Explained: Linking Tasks for Better Project Management

Introduction

Task relations in Easy8 help you organize and connect related tasks. By linking tasks together, you can show their dependency, sequence, or relationship. Understanding task relations improves project clarity, planning, and collaboration.

Target Audience

User

What Are Task Relations?

Definition

A task relation is a link between two or more tasks that defines how they depend on or influence each other. Relations help users see connections and manage task dependencies easily.

Types of Task Relations

In Easy8, you can use several relation types:

Follows / Precedes – One task must be completed before the next one starts
Blocks / Blocked by – One task cannot start until another is finished
Relates to – Tasks are related but do not depend on each other
Duplicates / Duplicated by – One task is a copy or duplicate of another
Copied from / Copied to – Shows the source and copy of a task
Parent / Subtask – Indicates task hierarchy (parent and child tasks)
Start to Start – Both tasks start at the same time
Finish to Finish – Both tasks finish at the same time
Start to Finish – The start of one task depends on the finish of another

💡 Tip: Relations allow you to define dependencies and links between tasks within one project or across different projects.

Enabling Cross-Project Relations

By default, relations are available within the same project. To enable relations across different projects:

Go to Global Menu >> Administration >> Settings >> Task Tracking
Enable the option Allow relations across projects

Adding Relations via Task Content

You can also enable a setting that allows creating relations directly from task content:

Go to Global Menu >> Administration >> Settings >> Task Tracking
Enable the option Add related task by inserting #task_id into comment or description

When enabled, users can add a task relation by typing #task_id in a comment or description.

Selecting Related Tasks When Creating a New Task

You can allow users to define relations while creating a new task:

Go to Global Menu >> Administration >> Settings >> Task Tracking
Enable the option Select related tasks on the new task form

Once enabled, a Related Tasks field appears on the new task form. Users can link related tasks immediately when creating a new task.

How to Manage Task Relations

You can manage task relations from the Task Detail Page:

Open the task where you want to add or edit relations.
In the right sidebar, click More >> Add related tasks.
This will open the Related Tasks section in the task detail.
In this section:
- Choose the type of relation (e.g. Follows, Blocks, Relates to)
- Enter the task name or task ID
- You can search and select multiple tasks at once
Click Save to add the relations

💡 Tip: The relation editor allows you to quickly link multiple tasks and search for them easily within the same popup.

How Task Relations Help Project Management

Better Planning: You can clearly see which tasks depend on others
Avoiding Delays: Prevent work from starting before prerequisite tasks are completed
Improved Transparency: Everyone understands how tasks are connected
Hierarchy and Structure: Easily break complex tasks into smaller parts
Cross-Project Visibility: Link related tasks from different projects

Conclusion

Task relations in Easy8 improve project structure, help manage dependencies, and support better teamwork. By linking related tasks, you can keep projects clear, organized, and running smoothly.