How to "Echo" Custom Data between Object Peers (e.g. Tasks within a Project)

[Doug_Den_Hoed__AtAppStore]

Hi Folks,

Based on this interesting challenge from @MariaCr2, I'm pleased to share the following technique to easily edit a custom data parameter (e.g. a Tactic Delivery Date on a particular Task) and have it "echo" to its peers (e.g. all other Tasks on the same Project), without Fusion, and always kept "fresh" after each page refresh.

Here's the textmode for the final column, noting that the trick is to go "up" (on a Task report or view) to each project.tasks in the nested listmethod:

displayname=Other Tactic Delivery Date(s)
type=iterate
listdelimiter=<p>
listmethod=nested(project.tasks).lists
valueexpression={DE:Tactic Delivery Date}
valueformat=HTML

You could make the valueexpression more sophisticated (e.g. IF, CONCAT, etc.), and in a similar fashion, you could echo custom data between Issues on a Task or Project, Projects in a Program or Portfolio...lots of potential.

Enjoy, have fun, and if you put it to good use, I'd appreciate hearing about it.

Regards,

Doug

[-JC]

Don't have a use case for this right now, but also didn't think this was possible, so wanted to say thanks Doug!

[Doug_Den_Hoed__AtAppStore]

Hi @BrianHa3,

I spotted your Report that pulls project - and related projects in same programs post, and wonder if it might be a good use case for my "Echo" technique above.

Imagining a "Parent Project Info" custom data parameter that gets populated only on each "Parent" Project within a Program, as you described, and noting that in this case it is the program. prefix in the listmethod performing the miracle, I'd suggest something like this:

displayname=Parent Project Info
type=iterate
listdelimiter=<p>
listmethod=nested(program.projects).lists
valueexpression={DE:Parent Project Info}
valueformat=HTML

If you end up trying it, I'd be interested to hear how you make out.

Regards,

Doug

cc  @ScottMo1 -- tagging you for similar proHa consideration...

[BrianHa3]

Hi Doug. I think I must have missed your more specific instructions above when I replied previously on my post. Let me give this a try! Thanks so much!

[BrianHa3]

Doug...this is awesome! This is SUPER helpful. I can't exactly "filter" with this from within Workfront (that I can figure out yet). But having the ability to tie data from the "parent" project to the others within the Program give me a lot of options on things we can do. Greatly appreciate your assistance!

[Doug_Den_Hoed__AtAppStore]

My pleasure @BrianHa3,

I'm gad that did the trick, and pleased to see this new technique has broader application!

Regards,

Doug

[Doug_Den_Hoed__AtAppStore]

Hi folks,

Last week, @MariaCr2 and I recorded this short podcast showing how this new "Echo" technique can be applied to the longstanding Project vs Task Level update requirement.

Enjoy, and I look forward to any follow up conversations and ideas you'd like to share on this post.

Regards,

Doug

cc @jon_chen, as mentioned...