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How to Build a Task List

This article will help you build and publish a Task List your team can complete in the Opus app.

Ben Brunken avatar
Written by Ben Brunken
Updated this week

Table of Contents:

Task Lists help teams stay on track with essential work—from daily checklists to shift routines. Each Task List is made up of Sections (like BOH or FOH) and Steps (like “Are there cutting boards in the food prep area?”). You can build and manage Task Lists directly in the Opus dashboard, where you'll be able to schedule, translate, and customize them with your content.

When creating Task Lists, think about how your team will complete each step.

  • Use Do → Confirm for simple, familiar tasks—things your team already knows how to do but still need to check off for accountability. For example, during a closing shift, a team member might wipe down tables, then mark that it’s done.

  • Use Read → Do for more detailed or unfamiliar tasks where clear instructions are needed before taking action. A good example is setting up a new fryer—team members read each step first, then follow it exactly to make sure it’s done safely and correctly.

Building a Task List Step-by-Step

  1. Go to the Task Lists page

    • In your dashboard, click the + New Task List button to start building.

  2. Customize your Task List

    • Add a title and description, update the cover with a photo, emoji, or upload, and link any media from your library.

  3. Organize with sections (optional)

    • Use sections to group tasks by area or workflow—like Front of House or Opening Shift. Add a name, instructions, and link content or media if needed.

  4. Add steps. Click + Add Step and choose from these step types:

    • Checkbox

    • Yes/No

    • Text Entry

    • Number Input

    • Temperature Input

    • Multiple Choice

  5. Customize your Step Options. For each one, you can:

    • Mark it required or optional

    • Allow photo uploads or notes

    • Add a trigger to prompt an action

    • Link media or content

    • Include clear instructions in the step description

    You can hover over each step to make the Duplicate question option appear to make a copy.

  6. Add Triggers. Triggers automate actions when certain step responses are given.

    • Click Add Trigger under Step Options.

    • In the If section, set the condition (e.g., response is “No” or temperature is too high).

    • In the Then section, choose the action:

      • Flag for reporting

      • Suggest corrective action

      • Send an automated message

      • Optionally, you can a second action or custom note.

    • Click Add Trigger to save.

  7. Collaborate

    • Invite other team members to help build or leave comments in real time.

  8. Manage and assign

    • Under the Manage tab, assign Library Access by role or location, set a Schedule (e.g. weekdays at 3pm), and tag your Task List.

  9. Publish

    • Once you're ready, click the blue Publish button. Team members with access will see it in the Opus app and can complete it during the scheduled time.

Adding Conditional Steps

Conditional steps only show up based on how your team answers a previous question. This keeps Task Lists short and relevant, and your team only sees the steps that actually apply to them. To add a conditional step:

  1. Open your Task List in the builder in the dashboard

  2. Click the three-dot menu (...) on any step and select Add a conditional step

  3. Set your condition. Choose when the follow-up step should appear:

    • Yes/No steps: Show if "Yes" or "No" is selected

    • Checkbox steps: Show if checked or unchecked

    • Multiple Choice: Show if a specific option is or isn't selected

    • Number/Temperature: Show if value is greater than, less than, equal to, or outside a range

  4. Choose your follow-up step:

    • Create a new step. Select your step type and enter your question

    • Use a step you already created. Pick one from the drop-down. It'll move to this spot in your Task List.

  5. Click Create condition

Example of a conditional question: If your team member answers the step "Does your location have an ice cream machine?" with "Yes," they'll see conditional follow-up steps. If they answer "No," those extra questions won't pop up at all.

Building Task Lists with AI (Step-by-Step)

Opus can help you turn any workflow or SOP into a structured task list in just a few minutes. Use the steps below to build a task list that your team can follow with confidence.

  1. Open the Task Lists section in the Opus dashboard.

  2. Click the blue + New Task List button to open the AI Task List Builder modal.

  3. Add context (optional but recommended):
    Provide any materials that help the AI understand the workflow you want to document.

    • Upload files like SOPs, checklists, onboarding docs, or role guides

    • Attach existing tasks or resources

    • Or skip and jump straight to writing a prompt

  4. Write a clear prompt
    Describe the essentials so the AI builds accurate steps:

    • Purpose of the task list

    • Who the task list is for

    • The process or workflow that should be captured

    • Any specific requirements (timing, required evidence, compliance steps, etc.)

  5. Review the generated task list outline
    Review things like the number of steps and step types.

  6. Use the right-side editor to adjust, rewrite, or add feedback.

  7. Edit for accuracy and tone
    Use the left-side editor to refine:

    • Wording

    • Step order

    • Brand voice

    • Any operational nuance the AI might’ve missed

  8. Generate the task list
    Once it looks right, click Generate Task List to create the final, reusable checklist for your team.

💡 The AI Task List generator does not create conditional step types. Once your Task List has been generated, use the builder to refine it and make steps conditional as needed.

Collaborative Task List Completion

By default, all Task Lists are collaborative, allowing multiple team members to work on the same Task List at the same time. This enables teams to complete tasks together in real time rather than individually.

When reviewing a Task List submission, you can see exactly who completed each step and section, providing full accountability. Team members working in the same Task List can also view each other’s entries in real time.


To turn off collaborative completion, open the Task List in the dashboard, go to Manage > Settings, and set Collaborative Completion Enabled to No.

💡 Want to know who submitted which step? Learn more about collaborative Task List Reporting here.

Step Types and When to Use Them

Step Type

When to Use It

Example

Yes/No

  • Quick compliance checks

  • Simple confirmations

“Are all exits unlocked?”

Checkbox

  • Task completion

  • Routine cleaning or setup

“Wipe down counters.”

Text Entry

  • Feedback

  • Capturing notes

“Describe any issues during your shift.”

Number Input

  • Inventory counts

  • Production volume

“How many meals were prepped?”

Temperature Input

  • Food safety logs

  • Equipment monitoring

“Enter fridge temperature”

Multiple Choice

  • Standardized responses

  • Role or location selection

“Which station did you work today?”

Each step can be customized with media, required actions, and automated triggers.

How to Use Triggers When Building a Task List

Triggers automate actions based on task responses. They create accountability by connecting task responses to real-time follow-ups, making sure your team stays informed and on track. Use them to:

  • Flag issues for easy reporting.

  • Suggest fixes when problems are found.

  • Send messages to notify the right team members.

Triggers save time, prevent missed follow-ups, and make sure tasks lead to real action — not just a checked box. Use them to keep your team accountable and focused.

You can find more information on how to set up Triggers here.

Sections vs Steps

Use sections to keep long task lists organized and steps to guide users through the work one action at a time.

  • Sections organize your Task List into groups, making it easier to navigate. Think of sections like chapters in a book—they help break up the list into logical parts.

  • Steps are the individual questions or actions within each section. They’re the tasks your team needs to complete, answer, or verify.

💡 Use the overview on the left of the builder to easily jump between Task List sections.

FAQs

How do I assign a Task List to employees?

Use Library Access controls to assign by parameters like role, location, hire date, etc., so only the right people see each Task List.

Can I schedule a Task List to appear at certain times?

Yes. You can create recurring schedules—like daily at 9am or weekends only—and track whether they were completed on time.

What should I do if a step isn’t completed correctly?

You can use Triggers to respond automatically. You can flag the step in reporting, suggest corrective action, or send an automated message to someone on your team.

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