Task Custom Repeat
Create recurring tasks with flexible scheduling options. Automatically generate new task instances based on your specified criteria.
Overview
The Task Custom Repeat feature allows you to create recurring tasks with flexible scheduling options. Instead of manually creating the same task repeatedly, you can set up a custom repeat pattern that automatically generates new task instances based on your specified criteria.
Before You Start
Ensure you have the necessary permissions to create tasks with custom repeat patterns. You'll also need to understand the different repeat types and their configuration options.
What is Task Custom Repeat?
Task Custom Repeat is an advanced scheduling feature that enables you to:
- Automatically generate recurring tasks based on custom time intervals
- Set specific days of the week for task repetition
- Configure monthly patterns with specific dates or week positions
- Set yearly repetition patterns
- Define end dates for recurring tasks
Getting Started
Accessing Custom Repeat
- Navigate to the Tasks module in your application
- Click Create New Task or Edit an existing task
- In the task creation/editing form, locate the Repeat section
- Select Custom from the repeat options dropdown
- Click Configure to open the Custom Repeat settings dialog
Custom Repeat Configuration
Basic Settings
Repeats Every
- Field: Numeric input for frequency
- Description: Specify how often the task should repeat
- Example: Enter "2" to repeat every 2 intervals
Repeat Type
Choose from four main repeat types:
Day
- Repeats every specified number of days
- Example: Every 3 days
Week
- Repeats every specified number of weeks
- Includes day-of-week selection
- Example: Every 2 weeks on Monday and Wednesday
Month
- Repeats every specified number of months
- Two configuration modes available
Year
- Repeats every specified number of years
- Maintains the same date each year
Weekly Configuration
When selecting Week as the repeat type, you can:
Select Days of the Week
- Checkboxes for each day: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
- Multiple days can be selected
- Tasks will be created on all selected days
Example Weekly Setup
- Repeats Every: 2
- Type: Week
- Selected Days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
- Result: Task repeats every 2 weeks on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Monthly Configuration
When selecting Month as the repeat type, you have two configuration modes:
Mode 1: Day of Month
- Option: "Day Type"
- Selection: Choose specific days of the month (Day 1, Day 15, Day 31, etc.)
- Multiple Selection: You can select multiple days
- Example: Task repeats on the 1st, 15th, and 30th of every month
Mode 2: Week Position
- Option: "Week Type"
- Week Position: First, Second, Third, Fourth, Last, or Every
- Day Selection: Choose the day of the week
Examples:
- "First Monday of every month"
- "Last Friday of every month"
- "Every Tuesday of every month"
End Date Configuration
Never End
- Option: "Never"
- Behavior: Tasks continue to repeat indefinitely
- Use Case: Ongoing maintenance tasks
End on Specific Date
- Option: "On"
- Date Picker: Select a specific end date
- Behavior: Tasks stop repeating after the specified date
- Use Case: Time-limited projects or seasonal tasks
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Daily Maintenance Task
- Task: Equipment inspection
- Custom Repeat: Every 1 Day
- End Date: Never
- Result: Daily equipment inspection tasks
Example 2: Weekly Team Meeting
- Task: Weekly team sync
- Custom Repeat: Every 1 Week
- Selected Days: Monday
- End Date: Never
- Result: Monday team meetings every week
Example 3: Monthly Report
- Task: Monthly performance report
- Custom Repeat: Every 1 Month
- Mode: Day Type
- Selected Days: Day 1
- End Date: December 31, 2024
- Result: Monthly reports on the 1st of each month until December 2024
Example 4: Quarterly Review
- Task: Quarterly business review
- Custom Repeat: Every 3 Months
- Mode: Week Type
- Week Position: Last
- Day: Friday
- End Date: Never
- Result: Quarterly reviews on the last Friday of every 3rd month
Example 5: Annual Maintenance
- Task: Annual equipment maintenance
- Custom Repeat: Every 1 Year
- End Date: Never
- Result: Annual maintenance tasks on the same date each year
How It Works Behind the Scenes
Automatic Task Generation
- The system runs a scheduled command daily at midnight
- It processes all tasks with custom repeat configurations
- New task instances are automatically created based on the repeat pattern
- Each new task maintains the same properties as the original (assignees, priority, description, etc.)
Task Relationships
- Original task becomes the "parent" task
- Generated tasks are "child" tasks linked to the parent
- Child tasks are marked as recurring
- Due dates are calculated based on the original task's due date interval
Timezone Handling
- All calculations respect your organization's timezone setting
- Task creation and due date calculations use the configured timezone
- This ensures consistency across different geographic locations
Best Practices
1. Plan Your Repeat Patterns
- Consider the actual workload when setting repeat frequencies
- Avoid creating too many tasks that might overwhelm assignees
- Test your repeat patterns with a small sample first
2. Use Appropriate End Dates
- Set end dates for temporary or project-specific tasks
- Use "Never" only for truly ongoing tasks
- Review and update end dates as projects evolve
3. Choose the Right Repeat Type
- Daily: For routine tasks that need daily attention
- Weekly: For regular meetings, reports, or maintenance
- Monthly: For recurring monthly activities
- Yearly: For annual events, reviews, or maintenance
4. Consider Assignee Workload
- Monitor how many recurring tasks each person has
- Balance task distribution across team members
- Adjust repeat patterns if assignees become overwhelmed
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Tasks Not Repeating
- Check: Verify the repeat configuration is saved correctly
- Check: Ensure the task has a valid due date
- Check: Confirm the end date hasn't passed
- Check: Verify assignees are properly set
Wrong Repeat Frequency
- Issue: Tasks repeating more or less frequently than expected
- Solution: Review the "Repeats Every" value and repeat type
- Solution: Check if the calculation logic matches your expectations
Timezone Problems
- Issue: Tasks created at unexpected times
- Solution: Verify your organization's timezone setting
- Solution: Check if daylight saving time affects your patterns
Getting Help
If you encounter issues with custom repeat functionality:
- Check the task configuration in the edit mode
- Verify the repeat settings are saved correctly
- Review the task history to see when tasks were last generated
- Contact support with specific details about your setup
Advanced Features
Task Inheritance
- Child tasks inherit most properties from the parent task
- Assignees, priority, task type, and description are preserved
- Custom fields and labels are maintained
- Site and resource assignments are carried forward
Modification Rules
- Parent Tasks: Can be modified to change future repeat behavior
- Child Tasks: Can be individually modified without affecting the parent
- Deletion: Deleting a parent task stops future task generation
- Status Changes: Child task status doesn't affect the parent or future tasks
Monitoring and Management
- View all recurring tasks in the task list
- Filter by repeat type to see custom repeat tasks
- Monitor task generation through activity logs
- Track completion rates for recurring tasks
Summary
The Task Custom Repeat feature provides powerful automation for recurring work. By understanding the configuration options and following best practices, you can efficiently manage repetitive tasks while maintaining flexibility and control over your workflow.
For additional support or questions about specific use cases, please refer to the application's support documentation or contact your system administrator.
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