Creating a task

A task is an assignable unit of work. Every task is assigned to a specific role. The granularity of a task is generally a few hours to a few days and usually affects one or a small number of work products.

To create a new task:

  1. Expand the content package in which you want to create the task.
  2. Right-click Tasks and selectNew > Task. The task editor opens with the Description tab as the default.
  3. In the Name field, type a unique name for your task. The task name is the file name that appears in the Library view.
  4. In the Presentation name field, type a presentation name. The presentation name is the name that appears in your published content and in the Configuration view. You can also make this name appear in the Library view by toggling the Show Presentation Names button Show Presentation Names icon in the Library view toolbar.
  5. In the Brief Description field, type a short description of the new task.
  6. Type a more detailed description of the new task in the Main Description field. The main description is a more detailed version of the description that you entered in the Brief Description field. There are three ways that you can create text for the description:
    • Directly, by typing it manually in the editor.
    • Copy from another similar role and then modify by using the editor.
    • Copy from an HTML source such as a published OpenUp Web site.
    Tip: You can use the Rich Text Editor to edit or enter the text for any field that has the Rich Text Editor icon rich text editor icon. Click the icon to access the Rich Text Editor. Click the icon again to close the Rich Text Editor. For more information about the editor, see Rich Text Editor.
  7. Complete the other task-specific fields in Detail Information as needed. For more information about creating variability, see Variability.
  8. Click the Steps tab. The Steps Editor opens. A task can have a series of steps that describe how to perform that task. With the Step Editor you can:
    • Create a new step
      • Click Add.
      • Give the step a name in the Name field.
      • Describe the step in the Description field.
    • Remove a step
      • Select the step to remove in the Steps field.
      • Click Delete.
    • Move a step up the list
      • Select the step that you want to move up.
      • Click Up.
    • Move a step down the list
      • Select the step that you want to move down.
      • Click Down.
  9. Click the Roles tab. This part of the editor allows you to define the roles that perform the task. You should select a role as the primary performer for this task. You can also add one or more roles as additional performers. To add a role, click Add, select the role that you want to add, and click OK. To remove a role, select it in the Primary performers or Additional performers boxes, and click Remove. When you select a role, the brief description of that role is displayed.
  10. Click the Work Products tab. This part of the editor allows you to define the work products that are inputs and outputs for this task. You can select any number of work products as mandatory inputs, optional inputs, and outputs. To add a work product, click the appropriate Add button, select the work products that you want to add, and click OK. To remove a work product, select it in the appropriate box, and click the corresponding Remove button. When you select a work product, the brief description of the work product is displayed.
  11. Click the Guidance tab. This part of the editor allows you to add and remove guidance for the task. To add guidance, click Add, select the guidance that you want to add, and click OK. To remove guidance, select it in the Guidance box, and click Remove. When you select a guidance element, the brief description of the guidance is displayed.
  12. Click the Categories tab. A task can be included in one discipline and any number of custom categories. Open the Select window by clicking the appropriate Add button next to the category lists. Select a single discipline or any number of custom categories, and click OK. To remove category fro a task, select the category and click the appropriate Remove button.
  13. Click the Preview tab to view the newly created task as it will appear in a published Web page, and save by closing the tab.