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Project Boards Guide

Master the Kanban board functionality in Task Manager Pro with this comprehensive guide.

🎯 Overview

Project Boards (Kanban boards) are visual project management tools that help you organize tasks into columns representing different stages of your workflow. Task Manager Pro provides a powerful, drag-and-drop Kanban board interface for efficient project management.

Key Benefits

  • Visual Task Management: See all tasks at a glance
  • Drag & Drop Interface: Move tasks between statuses easily
  • Real-time Updates: Changes reflect instantly across all users
  • Project Filtering: Focus on specific projects or view all
  • Mobile Responsive: Works perfectly on all devices

🚀 Getting Started

Accessing Project Boards

  1. Navigate to Boards

    • Go to Boards in your WordPress admin menu
    • You'll see the main Kanban board interface
  2. Understanding the Interface

    • Header: Project selector, statistics, and quick actions
    • Board Columns: Different task statuses (To Do, In Progress, Completed)
    • Task Cards: Individual tasks with key information
    • Add Task Button: Quick task creation

First-Time Setup

💡 Tip: If you don't see any boards, create your first project and add some tasks to get started.

📋 Board Management

Understanding Board Structure

Default Board Columns

  • To Do: Tasks that haven't been started
  • In Progress: Tasks currently being worked on
  • Completed: Finished tasks
  • Custom Columns: Additional statuses you can create

Task Cards Display

  • Task Name: Clear, descriptive title
  • Assignee: Person responsible for the task
  • Priority: Visual priority indicators
  • Due Date: Deadline information
  • Project: Associated project name
  • Labels: Custom tags and categories

Project Filtering

Filter by Project

  1. Click the Project Dropdown in the header
  2. Select a specific project to focus on
  3. Choose "All Projects" to see everything

Filter Options:

  • All Projects: View tasks from all projects
  • Specific Project: Focus on one project only
  • My Tasks: Show only tasks assigned to you
  • Overdue Tasks: Highlight tasks past their due date

🎨 Task Management

Creating Tasks from the Board

Quick Task Creation

  1. Click the "Add Task" button in any column
  2. Fill in the task details in the popup form
  3. Set priority, assignee, and due date
  4. Click "Create Task"

Moving Tasks Between Columns

Drag & Drop Tasks

  1. Click and Hold on any task card
  2. Drag the task to a different column
  3. Release to drop the task
  4. The task status updates automatically

Drag & Drop Features:

  • Visual Feedback: Cards highlight when hovering over valid drop zones
  • Real-time Updates: Changes save automatically
  • Status Updates: Task status changes based on column
  • Notifications: Team members get notified of changes

Task Card Interactions

Click Actions

  • Single Click: View task details in popup
  • Double Click: Quick edit mode
  • Right Click: Context menu with options

Task Details Popup

When you click on a task card, you'll see:

  • Complete Task Information: Description, comments, attachments
  • Edit Options: Modify task details
  • Time Tracking: Start/stop timer
  • Comments: Add and view comments
  • Attachments: Upload and manage files

⚙️ Advanced Features

Board Customization

Column Management

Adding Custom Columns

  1. Click the "Add Column" button
  2. Enter column name and description
  3. Choose column color and position
  4. Save the new column

Column Options

  • Rename Columns: Click on column header to edit
  • Reorder Columns: Drag column headers to reorder
  • Delete Columns: Remove unused columns
  • Column Colors: Customize visual appearance

Advanced Filters

Filter TypeDescriptionUse Case
AssigneeFilter by task assigneeSee tasks for specific team members
PriorityFilter by task priorityFocus on high-priority tasks
Due DateFilter by deadlineFind overdue or upcoming tasks
LabelsFilter by custom labelsGroup related tasks

Search Functionality

  • Quick Search: Type in the search box for instant results
  • Advanced Search: Use multiple criteria for precise filtering
  • Saved Searches: Save frequently used filter combinations

Bulk Operations

Multi-Task Selection

Bulk Task Management

  1. Select Multiple Tasks: Hold Ctrl/Cmd and click tasks
  2. Choose Action: Assign, change status, or delete
  3. Apply Changes: Bulk operations save time

Bulk Actions Available:

  • Change Status: Move multiple tasks to different columns
  • Reassign Tasks: Change assignee for multiple tasks
  • Update Priority: Set priority for multiple tasks
  • Add Labels: Apply labels to multiple tasks
  • Delete Tasks: Remove multiple tasks at once

📱 Mobile Experience

Mobile-Optimized Interface

📱 Mobile Ready: Project Boards are fully responsive and work perfectly on mobile devices.

Mobile Features

  • Touch-Friendly: Optimized for touch interactions
  • Responsive Layout: Adapts to different screen sizes
  • Swipe Gestures: Swipe to move tasks between columns
  • Mobile Menu: Collapsible navigation for small screens

Mobile Best Practices

  • Portrait Mode: Best experience in portrait orientation
  • Zoom: Pinch to zoom for better visibility
  • Touch Targets: Large buttons for easy tapping
  • Offline Support: Basic functionality works offline

🔧 Configuration and Settings

Board Preferences

Display Options

Customize Board Display

  • Card Size: Compact or detailed view
  • Show Assignees: Display user avatars
  • Show Due Dates: Highlight deadlines
  • Show Priority: Visual priority indicators
  • Auto-refresh: Real-time updates

Notification Settings

  • Task Updates: Get notified when tasks change
  • Assignment Changes: Know when you're assigned tasks
  • Due Date Alerts: Reminders for upcoming deadlines
  • Comment Notifications: Stay updated on discussions

Performance Optimization

Large Dataset Handling

⚠️ Performance Tip: For boards with many tasks, use filters to improve performance.

Optimization Tips:

  • Use Filters: Limit visible tasks for better performance
  • Paginate Results: Load tasks in batches
  • Disable Auto-refresh: For very large boards
  • Clear Cache: Regular cache clearing for optimal performance

🎯 Best Practices

Board Organization

Column Design

  • Keep It Simple: Don't create too many columns
  • Logical Flow: Arrange columns in workflow order
  • Clear Names: Use descriptive column names
  • Consistent Colors: Use color coding consistently

Task Management

  • Descriptive Names: Use clear, actionable task titles
  • Regular Updates: Keep task status current
  • Assign Responsibility: Always assign tasks to someone
  • Set Deadlines: Use due dates for accountability

Team Collaboration

Communication

  • Use Comments: Add context and updates
  • Mention Team Members: Use @mentions in comments
  • Update Status: Keep team informed of progress
  • Share Attachments: Upload relevant files

Workflow Management

  • Define Processes: Establish clear workflows
  • Train Team Members: Ensure everyone understands the system
  • Regular Reviews: Hold periodic board reviews
  • Continuous Improvement: Refine processes based on experience

🚨 Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Tasks Not Moving

Problem: Tasks won't drag and drop between columns

Solutions:

  • Check browser compatibility (modern browsers required)
  • Disable browser extensions temporarily
  • Clear browser cache and cookies
  • Try refreshing the page

Performance Issues

Problem: Board loads slowly or freezes

Solutions:

  • Use project filters to reduce visible tasks
  • Clear browser cache
  • Check internet connection
  • Contact support if issues persist

Missing Tasks

Problem: Tasks don't appear on the board

Solutions:

  • Check project filter settings
  • Verify task assignments
  • Refresh the page
  • Check user permissions

Error Messages

Permission Errors

  • "Access Denied": Check user permissions
  • "Cannot Edit": Verify edit permissions
  • "Cannot Assign": Confirm assignment permissions

Data Errors

  • "Task Not Found": Task may have been deleted
  • "Invalid Status": Check task status configuration
  • "Database Error": Contact support for assistance

💡 Pro Tips

Efficiency Tips

  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Use keyboard shortcuts for faster navigation
  • Bulk Operations: Select multiple tasks for bulk actions
  • Saved Filters: Save frequently used filter combinations
  • Quick Actions: Use right-click context menus

Advanced Usage

  • Custom Fields: Add custom fields to task cards
  • Automation: Set up automated status changes
  • Integrations: Connect with external tools
  • Reporting: Generate board performance reports

🎉 Next Steps

After mastering Project Boards:

📋 Task Management

Learn advanced task management features and workflows.

Learn More →

🔄 Workflows

Set up automated workflows for efficient task management.

Learn More →

👥 Team Collaboration

Master team collaboration features and best practices.

Learn More →

🎉 Congratulations! You now have a comprehensive understanding of Project Boards in Task Manager Pro. Use this knowledge to manage your projects more efficiently and collaborate better with your team.

Released under the MIT License.