Blockers
Note: This article assumes you've read "How to Make a Project: Workflow Projects and Regular Projects" [Link]. If you haven't, we recommend starting there for foundational concepts.
TL;DR:
Blockers in Motion are a useful tool to ensure tasks happen in a precise sequential order by creating dependencies between successive tasks. Available only for tasks within projects, blockers can be set up through the project list view or directly from the project modal.
In this article, we will guide you through the use cases of blockers as well as highlight the advantages of making blockers a part of your project(s) construction.
Understanding Blockers in Motion
The Power of Blockers: Why it Matters
Think of blockers as your tool for maintaining structural integrity of your project. By adding blockers you can prevent successive tasks from starting before their prerequisites have been completed.
Blockers are your way of telling Motion's AI, "Hey, Task A must be completed before Task B."
Example:
Imagine you're working at an advertising firm and have an ongoing project in its later stages that contains the following three tasks: "Write Client Content,” “Edit Client Content,” and finally "Publish Client Content”.
You can set "Write Client Content" as a blocker for "Edit Client Content.” Additionally, you can set "Edit Client Content” as a blocker for "Publish Client Content”.
Motion would then schedule these tasks like:
'Write Client Content' at 2PM
'Edit Client Content' at 4PM
'Publish Client Content' at 6PM
This ensures that publishing can’t occur until the content is written, edited, and finalized; maintaining the correct sequence of tasks, which improves operational efficiency and prevents project delays.
Understanding Blocker Types
Before we dive into how to set up blockers, it's important to understand the difference between the two types of blocker relationships:
"Blocked By" Relationships:
A task labeled ‘blocked by’ represents a task that waits for the blocking task to be completed.
It is indicated by a 🚫 icon on the calendar (clarifying the task is blocked).
It will be automatically rescheduled if the prerequisite blocker task is delayed.
"Blocking" Relationships:
A task that is ‘blocking’ another task must be completed before the successive task(s) can begin.
The completion of a ‘blocking’ task will naturally unlock and remove the ‘blocked by’ status on the following task(s).
(Note: multiple blockers can be applied to a particular task)
Setting Up Blockers in Motion
Methods for Setting Up Blockers
Method 1: From Project ‘List View’
Select your specific project workspace from the left-hand side of the Motion interface.
Select the specific project you wish to edit.
Switch to "List View"
Locate "Blocking" or "Blocked by" columns
Click "None" to add task dependencies
(Note: A task must already have been created within the same project to be selected as a blocker)
For More on Project Views click [here]
Method 2: From the Project Modal
Open the "All Projects" view located on the left-hand side of the Motion interface.
Find and open your specific project.
Hover your mouse over the task that requires a blocker.
Click the ellipsis (three dots) located to the right of the task.
Select "Set Blockers”.
Choose "Mark as Blocked By" or "Mark as Blocking” depending upon your requirements.
Method 3: From Task Modal
Open the specific task you wish to edit.
Find the "Blocking" or "Blocked By" sections on the lower right-hand side.
Click “Blocked By” to select the existing task you’d like to set as a blocker; or select “Blocking” to set up a blocker for another task.
Method 4: From a Project Workflow Template
Open the specific task you wish to edit.
Find the "Blocking" or "Blocked By" sections on the lower right-hand side.
Click “Blocked By” to select the existing task you’d like to set as a blocker; or select “Blocking” to set up a blocker for another task.
Calendar Behavior and Visual Indicator
When using blockers in Motion, you'll notice these visual cues in your calendar:
Blocked tasks display a 🚫 icon.
Hovering your mouse over blocking tasks displays a yellow version of the same 🚫 blocking icon.
Blocked tasks may appear scheduled on the calendar, but Motion always ensures prerequisite tasks are scheduled before their dependent tasks.
Motion's AI continuously optimizes the schedule based on created task dependencies.
Real-World Scenario: Marketing Campaign
Campaign Structure
Let's explore a series of tasks in a marketing campaign launch that effectively utilize blockers:
Market Research (Sarah - Marketing Analyst)
Duration: 12 hours
Deliverable: Establish target audience and analyze competitor research
Blocks: Campaign Strategy
Why?: Because all campaign decisions depend on research insights
Campaign Strategy (Michael - Marketing Manager)
Duration: 8 hours
Blocked by: Market Research
Blocks: Content Creation
Why?: Establishes defined messaging, channels, and timeline for delivery
Content Creation and Publication (Emma - Content Writer)
Duration: 16 hours
Blocked by: Campaign Strategy
How Blockers Maintain Efficiency
When changes occur, Motion's intelligent algorithmic system maintains project integrity. Let’s take a look based on our previous example.
Ensures Original Schedule Integrity:
Sarah's research extends by 6 hours.
Motion detects the delay.
Automatically adjusts Michael's strategy session.
Cascades changes through content creation and publication.
Optimizes remaining campaign timeline.
Real Benefits:
The team stays informed of all changes in the project.
No manual rescheduling required.
Deadline risks are identified early to allow for effective pivoting.
This real-world example shows how blockers maintain a logical work sequence, handle complex team dependencies, and adjust to unexpected changes. Blockers help keep projects on track and reduce coordination overhead, ensuring quality and integrity at each stage of the project by preventing tasks from progressing until prerequisites are met.
Illustration:
Blockers vs. Stages
While task blockers and Project Workflow stages may seem similar at first, they serve different purposes and can be used either dependently or independently of one another to create the perfect project structure to fit your needs. Understanding when to use each tool can significantly improve your project organization and team efficiency.
Let's break down each feature and explore when to use them:
Blockers: Task-level precision
Enforce precise task sequences
Maintain quality control
Enable parallel work streams
Automatically adjust to changes
Need specific task sequencing
Require quality control checkpoints
Have cross-functional dependencies
Workflow Stages: Strategic Project Organization
Clear project phase definitions
High-level progress tracking
Team-wide synchronization
Milestone-based planning
To establish clear project phases
Construct team alignment points
Require progress reporting
Allocate resources by project stage
The Power of Combining Project Stages and Blockers
Using blockers and stages together creates a robust project structure that ensures both detailed task dependencies and overall project organization.
Example Scenario:
Mobile App Development:
Stage 1 (Design)
Task A: Customer Research
Task B: Wireframes (blocked by A)
Task C: UI Design (blocked by B)
Stage 2 (Development)
Task D: Frontend (blocked by C)
Task E: Backend (blocked by N/A, can start with D)
Task F: Integration (blocked by D and E)
Essentially, stages break the project into manageable project milestones, while blockers ensure tasks within each stage are completed sequentially. This combination allows for more efficient project management, fewer delays, and ensures that every step happens at the right time and in the right order, keeping the entire team aligned and the project on track to meet its deadline.
Illustration:
Scenario Example and Solution
In project management, certain roadblocks can arise that prevent tasks from progressing and can potentially cause scheduling conflicts. Understanding how to troubleshoot and resolve these issues is essential for maintaining smooth workflows. Below we will analyze what to do when your project experiences a delay due to tasks not starting as they should.
When Tasks Won't Begin As Expected:
Check for active blockers: Ensure there are no blockers preventing the task from beginning.
Review the dependency chain: Trace any additional dependencies to check if other tasks or conditions are preventing project progress.
Adjust task parameters when needed: If necessary, update the task’s settings (such as deadlines or priority) to align it with the overall project timeline.
Conclusion
Blockers are essential tools for maintaining a projects flow and overall team efficiency. By understanding how to use blockers effectively, or in conjunction with project workflow stages, you can create smooth, automated process that keeps your team aligned and all your projects on track.
Related Articles
For advanced project management techniques, see our Project Management guides:
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