Understanding & Resolving Task Overlaps

1. Input Your Tasks

Use the "Add New Task" button to enter each task with its name, start date & time, and end date & time. Providing an assignee or category can help add context.

2. Detect Overlaps

After adding your tasks, click the "Detect Overlaps" button. The tool will analyze all tasks and highlight those that have scheduling conflicts. A list of specific overlaps will also be displayed below the task list.

3. Review Highlighted Tasks

Tasks involved in an overlap will be visually marked (e.g., with a red highlight or border). This gives you a quick visual cue in your task list.

4. Analyze the Overlap List

The "Detected Overlaps" section will detail which specific tasks conflict with each other and their respective time slots. For example: "Task A (9 AM - 11 AM) overlaps with Task B (10 AM - 12 PM)."

5. Resolving Overlaps

Once overlaps are identified, consider these strategies:

• Reschedule: Adjust the start or end times of conflicting tasks so they no longer overlap. Use the "Edit" button on a task.
• Delegate: If tasks are assigned and the person is overbooked, can one of the tasks be delegated to someone else?
• Re-prioritize: Decide which task is more critical. Can the less critical task be postponed or shortened?
• Break Down Tasks: If a long task is causing many overlaps, see if it can be broken into smaller sub-tasks that can be scheduled more flexibly.
• Allow Overlap (Consciously): In rare cases, you might decide that a minor overlap is acceptable (e.g., starting a new task while finishing up an old one). If so, acknowledge it.

6. Re-check

After making adjustments, click "Detect Overlaps" again to ensure the conflicts are resolved.