I think it would be fun to tailor nodeBB for project management. I was wondering how hard it would be to create an option that allows you to click the topic checkmarks once and have it immediately set the topic to a specific status, like completed. Maybe we can come up with multiple types of statuses for topics. What about the ability to change it to say tasks instead of topics and projects instead of categories? This should allow for effective management of a collection of subcategories (projects) displaying below parent categories (divisions). Everything you need right there on the home page. The goal is to get from a to b with the fewest clicks possible. I wonder which theme would make it even more efficient.

What about making the topic or task creation process faster with the ability to click new topic, or some other method, and have it place the cursor right where the task is going to be displayed on the list, we type a heading, hit enter, done. Maybe we can have it drop down to the next row and allow you to quickly type the next topic. This way you can breeze through the project design phase and get to the details you need, which will be contained in the subtasks and any conversational details in the threads. The thread itself can simply be used for comments in case one of us runs into a problem on a particular task that person can start the conversation and @ the appropriate team members for help.

The concept is in its early stages but I think there is plenty of room for creativity here. Not a design change request, just the option to make the best forum software more versatile. I forgot to mention subtasks, crucial to be able to scale the project structure as much as you like. Anyway can't wait to hear your thoughts.

I prefer a recursive list. The only thing moo.do is missing is a communication feature, and better sharing/user management. Nodebb shines in those two areas. Since the platforms compliment each other, I naturally started brainstorming ways to integrate. Still a waste of time I presume? lol the one thing I don't do...

@psychobunny said in Using NodeBB for Project Management:

My two cents: am interested to know how this goes. If it ends up being something pretty legit you might just find backing from somewhere...

Thanks for having an open mind. The initial idea to tailor the NodeBB interface towards project management and the follow up concept to embed an outline with collapsible bullets are technically competing tools to accomplish the same goal. The goal being flexible manipulation of written ideas for the development of efficient processes.

The process of developing processes needs to be as smooth as possible. I can go into a state where ideas are flowing rapidly, the next one feeding off the last. If I were to stop and focus on just one of them, to gauge its ideal home in the core model, it would disrupt the flow. Walking away can help at times but I cannot deny the many times the best idea hit me at the very end of a 4hr session. Collapsible subtasks make it possible to go on these creative runs and then initiate the organization phase where we summarize through abstract thinking and put things in there proper places. Being able to do all of this in a transparent way, using forum software, kills two birds with one stone. Your team can challenge with alternative solutions, until we've exhausted optimization options.

Attempting to best the current effectiveness of pm solutions may seem pointless. It may or may not be but we must not fear failure. Confirming something is not worth pursuing is typically the best bet. Assuming it, on the other hand, is a fear based approach. Ironically, being too conservative with time can be the riskier position

The creative process is a mission oriented problem solving competition that scales all obstacles.

Place a link to a moo.do outline in the original post. Presto, integration without really integrating the code. Even this half baked setup is superior to all dedicated pm solutions that I have tried. For me, efficiency is the primary factor when evaluating software. How quickly we can download the data we need and upload our input. Number of clicks is a useful metric.

Having every resource available on the home page is a highly efficient design for a workflow tool. I view nodebb as the best version of this concept.

Its easy to recommend the popular product. Actually testing all of them to isolate value is challenging. Try not to anchor yourself until you've done the research.