> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.monolithforensics.com/monolith/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.monolithforensics.com/monolith/using-monolith/dashboard/tasks.md).
# Tasks
Manage Tasks across Cases, optionally link work to Evidence Items, organize repeatable workflows, track time, and monitor completion.
Tasks provide a structured way to organize, assign, and track work across Monolith.
Every Task belongs to a [**Case**](/monolith/using-monolith/case-management/cases.md) and can optionally be associated with a specific [**Evidence Item**](/monolith/using-monolith/evidence-management/evidence-items.md) within that Case. This allows teams to manage both general Case work and work related to a particular device, account, dataset, or other Evidence Item.
The **Dashboard > Tasks** page provides a centralized view of Tasks across the Cases you have access to.
Dashboard Tasks View
### Global Tasks and Case Tasks
Tasks can be viewed from two primary places in Monolith.
#### Dashboard > Tasks
The global Tasks page provides a cross-Case work queue.
Use this view when you want to:
* Review Tasks across multiple Cases
* Find work assigned to you or another user
* Review Tasks by Status
* Search and filter Tasks
* Review archived Tasks
* Track time across Tasks and Cases
* Export Task or time-entry information
#### Case > Tasks
Each Case also contains its own **Tasks** tab.
This view shows the Tasks associated with that specific Case and is useful when you are already working within the Case record.
Both areas use the same underlying Task system.
Case Tasks View
### Create a Task
Select **New Task** to create a Task.
A Task can include:
* Task Name
* Description
* Case
* Evidence Item
* Status
* Priority
* Due Date
* Category
* Assignee
* Task Template
Every Task must be associated with a Case.
A Task can also be linked to an Evidence Item from that Case when the Task is created. Evidence linkage is optional and is useful when the work applies to a specific Evidence Item rather than the Case generally.
#### Video Walkthrough
{% embed url="" %}
If the video does not render, [watch on YouTube here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=larV5j5yF2g)
{% endembed %}
### Task Assignment
A Task can be assigned to one Monolith user or left unassigned.
Assignment helps identify who is responsible for the work while still allowing teams to create backlog Tasks that have not yet been assigned.
Users can filter the global Tasks view by Assignee when reviewing team workload.
Users can also enable an email notification when a Task is assigned to them. This preference is managed under **Settings > Email Notifications**.
See [**Email Notifications**](/monolith/using-monolith/settings/email-notifications.md) for information about managing personal Monolith notification preferences.
### Task Status
Monolith uses the following Task Statuses:
* **Backlog**
* **Pending**
* **In Progress**
* **Complete**
* **Canceled**
Status identifies the current state of the Task and determines where it appears when Tasks are grouped by Status.
The default Kanban view organizes Tasks into these Status columns, making it easy to see work moving through the Task workflow.
### Task Priority
Tasks can use the following Priority values:
* **Urgent**
* **High**
* **Low**
* **None**
Priority can be displayed directly on Task cards and used when filtering the Tasks view.
### Due Dates
Tasks can include a Due Date when work needs to be completed by a particular date.
Due Dates can be displayed on Task cards, used for filtering, and surfaced through areas such as the **Tasks Due Soon** Dashboard widget.
### Task Categories
Tasks can be assigned a Category to help organize work and support time-entry workflows.
Categories are configured using [**Time Entry Categories**](/monolith/using-monolith/settings/time-entry-categories.md) and can be useful when teams want to distinguish different types of work for operational or reporting purposes.
### Subtasks
Tasks can contain Subtasks for workflows that require multiple individual steps.
A Subtask behaves like its own Task while remaining nested beneath its parent Task.
Subtasks can have their own:
* Status
* Assignee
* Due Date
* Priority
* Time entries
* Other supported Task information
Subtasks do not automatically inherit changes made to the parent Task. Each Subtask can be managed independently.
This makes Subtasks useful for repeatable processes where several distinct actions need to be completed as part of a larger piece of work.
### Task Templates
Task Templates allow teams to quickly recreate common Task workflows.
A Template can contain a parent Task and predefined Subtasks, making it possible to create a repeatable process without rebuilding the same steps each time.
Examples might include:
* Mobile device collection
* Computer acquisition
* Processing workflows
* Quality review preparation
* Application review
* eDiscovery processing
* Other recurring forensic procedures
Select **Template** while creating a Task to use an existing Task Template.
See [**Task Templates**](/monolith/using-monolith/settings/task-templates.md) for information about creating and managing reusable Task workflows.
### Task Views
The global Tasks page provides several ways to display and work with Task information.
#### Kanban View
The default Kanban view organizes Tasks into columns based on their Status.
Columns include:
* Backlog
* Pending
* In Progress
* Complete
* Canceled
Task cards can display information such as:
* Linked Case or Evidence Item
* Assignee
* Status
* Priority
* Due Date
* Subtask progress
* Time spent
Use **Display** to control how much information appears on each Task card.
#### List View
The List view provides a more compact Task layout while continuing to group and display Tasks according to the selected configuration.
This can be useful when you want to review a larger number of Tasks without the larger Kanban cards.
#### Table View
The Table view displays Tasks in a traditional grid.
This view is especially useful when you want to:
* Review Task metadata in columns
* Sort through a larger Task list
* Review archived Tasks
* Select which columns are visible
* Export Task information
#### Time Entry View
The Time Entry view provides a detailed view of time recorded against Tasks.
Use this area to review who performed work, when the work occurred, and how much time was recorded.
Time-entry information can include fields such as:
* Task
* Task Description
* Category
* Entry Description
* User
* Duration
* Date Entered
* Start
* End
* Price
* Invoice information
* Case Number
* Case Name
Users can also add or modify supported time entries from this area.
### Customize the Task Display
Select **Display** to change how Tasks are presented.
Available options can include:
* View Filter
* Grouping
* Ordering
* Show Subtasks
* Task Display Properties
Task card properties can include:
* Assignees
* Linked Object
* Status
* Priority
* Due Date
* Subtasks
* Subtask Icon
* Time Spent
Use these controls to create a more compact Task view or display additional operational information directly on each card.
### Filter Tasks
Select **Filter** to narrow the Tasks displayed.
Available filters include:
* Status
* Priority
* Category
* Assignees
* Has Subtasks
* Due Date
* Type
The **Type** filter can distinguish between Tasks associated with Cases and Tasks linked to Evidence Items.
Task filters use predefined matching behavior for each field. Where supported, multiple values can be selected within a filter.
These filters are separate from the more advanced [**Query Filter**](/monolith/using-monolith/monolith-ui-features/query-filter.md) used by some other Monolith tables.
### Search Tasks
Use the **Search Tasks** field in the upper-right corner of the Tasks page to quickly locate Task records.
Search can be useful when the global Tasks view contains work from a large number of Cases.
### Select Columns and Export
The Table and Time Entry views provide column controls that allow you to choose which information is displayed.
Use the column selector to add or remove available fields from the current view.
These views can also be exported to a Microsoft Excel `.xlsx` file using the export control.
The selected columns determine the information represented in the exported data.
See [**Tables**](/monolith/using-monolith/monolith-ui-features/tables.md) for more information about table controls and exports.
### Time Tracking
Tasks can be used as the foundation for time tracking in Monolith.
Users can quickly add time while working from a Task or use the Time Entry view for more detailed entry and review.
Time entries can preserve information about:
* The Task performed
* The Case associated with the work
* The user who performed the work
* The amount of time recorded
* The applicable Category
* Additional entry details
This information can support operational reporting and the time-based metrics available elsewhere in Monolith.
### Archived Tasks
Tasks can be archived when they no longer need to appear in the normal Tasks workflow.
Archiving changes how a Task is displayed, but it does not change the Task's Status or mark the Task as Complete.
This distinction is important because Task completion contributes to the **My Progress** and **Total Progress** calculations displayed on a Case.
If an incomplete Task is archived, it may continue to affect the Case's Task completion metrics.
Before archiving a Task, review its Status and make sure it accurately represents the work that was performed.
#### View Archived Tasks
Archived Tasks can be reviewed from the Table view.
To view them:
1. Open **Dashboard > Tasks** or the **Tasks** tab within a Case.
2. Switch to the Table view.
3. Select **Display**.
4. Enable **Show Archived**.
The table will display archived Tasks along with the **Archive Status** control.
#### Restore an Archived Task
To return an archived Task to the normal Tasks workflow:
1. Open the Tasks Table view.
2. Enable **Show Archived** from the Display options.
3. Locate the archived Task.
4. Use the **Archive Status** control to unarchive the Task.
5. Return to your preferred Tasks view.
The Task will once again appear in the normal Task workflow according to its current Status.
{% hint style="info" %}
Archiving is primarily an organization and visibility tool. If a Task represents completed work, update the Task Status appropriately before archiving it.
{% endhint %}
### Tasks and Case Progress
Task completion is one of the components used to calculate progress on a [Case](/monolith/using-monolith/case-management/cases.md).
Case progress metrics can consider:
* Tasks
* Evidence Items
* Quality Assurance Reviews
Keeping Task Statuses current helps ensure that the Case's **My Progress** and **Total Progress** metrics accurately reflect the work being performed.
### Recommended Practices
* Create Tasks within the appropriate Case so work remains connected to the Case record.
* Link a Task to an Evidence Item when the work specifically applies to that item.
* Assign Tasks when responsibility for the work is known.
* Use Due Dates when work has a meaningful deadline.
* Keep Task Statuses current as work progresses.
* Use Subtasks for workflows that contain several independent steps.
* Use Task Templates for processes your team performs repeatedly.
* Record time consistently when your organization uses Monolith time tracking.
* Review Task Status before archiving Tasks so Case progress remains accurate.
* Use the global Tasks page when reviewing work across multiple Cases.
### Related Documentation
* [**Dashboard**](/monolith/using-monolith/dashboard.md)
* [**Overview**](/monolith/using-monolith/dashboard/overview.md)
* [**Cases**](/monolith/using-monolith/case-management/cases.md)
* [**Evidence Items**](/monolith/using-monolith/evidence-management/evidence-items.md)
* [**Task Templates**](/monolith/using-monolith/settings/task-templates.md)
* [**Time Entry Categories**](/monolith/using-monolith/settings/time-entry-categories.md)
* [**Email Notifications**](/monolith/using-monolith/settings/email-notifications.md)
* [**Tables**](/monolith/using-monolith/monolith-ui-features/tables.md)
* [**Query Filter**](/monolith/using-monolith/monolith-ui-features/query-filter.md)
