Beyond Basics: Unveiling Asana's Hidden Gems for Smart Users
In the realm of productivity tools, Asana stands out as a powerhouse for task management and collaboration, offering myriad features designed to streamline workflows and boost efficiency. You may be familiar with Asana's core features, but there are several lesser-known gems that can help you become a true Asana master. Let's delve into these hidden treasures and unlock their full potential.
Advanced Search and Saved Searches
One of Asana's most underrated features is Advanced Search. While the standard search bar is powerful in itself, Advanced Search takes it to the next level. Oddly enough, this feature is hard to find - look for it when you click into the search bar, it is an unassuming link at the very bottom.
By clicking the Advanced Search link, users can search across portfolios, tasks, and projects with precision. Are you planning to cover for a colleague and want to see all their responsibilities at a glance? Do you need to find all tasks assigned to a specific team member? Advanced Search has you covered. You can even filter tasks based on custom fields, making it ideal for complex project management scenarios.
What's even better is the ability to save your search queries as Saved Searches. Simply hit the star button after performing a search, and Asana will save the query under your starred section. These saved searches update dynamically, providing real-time results whenever you need them.
The Saved Search feature is particularly valuable for managers and executives who need to stay informed about specific topics or projects. Need to keep your CEO in the loop about a particular initiative? Just send them the saved search link, and they'll have access to the latest updates instantly.
Custom Fields in Portfolios
Another hidden gem within Asana is custom fields in portfolios. While custom fields are commonly used within projects, their application in portfolios is often overlooked. However, custom fields in portfolios work much like they do in projects, offering users a powerful tool for organizing and sorting information. For example, imagine you have a large product team with multiple projects spanning various product lines. By adding custom fields to your portfolios, you can easily sort and filter projects based on product line, status, or any other relevant criteria. This feature is especially useful for managing extensive portfolios with numerous projects, providing clarity and structure to complex workflows.
Saving Views as Tabs in Asana Projects
A recent addition to Asana's arsenal is the ability to save views as tabs within projects. Previously, users could customize project views by hiding fields or organizing data in specific ways. However, with the new Save Tab feature, you can now save multiple views within a project and switch between them effortlessly.
This feature is particularly beneficial for cross-functional teams working on the same project. Different team members may have unique preferences for how they interact with project tasks.. As a project owner, you can now set up customized views tailored to each team member's needs. Whether it's designers, developers, or managers, everyone can have a personalized view that optimizes their workflow and enhances collaboration.
Asana offers a wealth of hidden features that can elevate your productivity and streamline your workflows. By harnessing the power of Advanced Search, custom fields in portfolios, and saved views as tabs, you can unlock new levels of efficiency and effectiveness in your work.
So why wait? Start exploring these hidden treasures today and maximize your Asana experience like never before.
