Task Number

[#1]

In Workfront, do you know if there is a way to "lock down" task numbers such that Workfront does not renumber existing tasks when new tasks are inserted?

Below is an example that will show what I mean.

Let's say I have this situation...

Task number=420; Task Name=Task A

Task number=421; Task Name=Task B

Task number=422; Task Name=Task C

Later, if I insert a new task (Task D) between tasks 420 and 421, I will end up with this...

Task number=420; Task Name=Task A

Task number=421; Task Name=Task D

Task number=422; Task Name=Task B
Task number=423; Task Name=Task C

Notice tasks B and C get renumbered. ALL task numbers, higher than the inserted task get renumbered (increased by one).

I would like to be able to enter a task, have a task number assigned to that task, and for that task to permanently keep that task number. I don't need the task numbers to be in order. For the example above, I would like to end up with something like this.

Task number=420; Task Name=Task A

Task number=423; Task Name=Task D

Task number=421; Task Name=Task B
Task number=422; Task Name=Task C

If numbers were kept constant/fixed, they would serve as an easy "task reference" in other systems, documentation, and interactions. For example, I could tell Rex: "Regarding issue X, please see Workfront task 422."

[#2]

I agree with the need. I often send reminders to team members to update their tasks and I include the ID. They have problems finding the tasks if anyone has added or deleted tasks somewhere else in the schedule.

A solution that lets me add a separate column with the unique identifier would be fine. That way the schedule could be in order, but the reference for a specific task could be found by the permanent number. For reference, MS Project has a field called Unique ID that does exactly what you are asking about.

[#3]

Hi,

Just in case you didn't know, tasks do have a Reference # which is unique to them upon creation. Most of my PMs like that the Task Number adjust as they insert tasks, but I do have one brand that doesn't. So we created a Standard (w/ Ref) view for them.