Why Your Trello Isn't Working (and Fixes)

Why Your Trello Isn’t Working (and Fixes)

Many indie developers turn to Trello for project management. It seems simple enough: boards, lists, cards. Yet, for many, it quickly becomes a tangled mess rather than a productivity booster. This often stems from a lack of clear strategy and consistent application.

A common pitfall is overwhelming boards. Developers often create a single “everything” board that becomes cluttered with too many lists and cards. This makes it impossible to find what’s important, leading to more confusion than clarity.

Instead, consider a “less is more” approach. Break down your project into smaller, focused boards. For example, have a “Core Game Loop” board, a “Art Assets” board, and a “Marketing Tasks” board. This immediately reduces visual clutter and helps you focus on one area at a time.

Another frequent issue is inconsistent use. Trello only works if you commit to it. Sporadic updates or ignoring the board entirely will quickly render it useless as a project management tool.

Establish a daily or weekly routine for reviewing and updating your Trello boards. Treat it as a non-negotiable part of your development process. This consistency builds habits that keep your project on track.

Many developers also use Trello purely as a static to-do list. They add tasks but don’t actively move them through a workflow. This means you lose the dynamic tracking capabilities Trello offers.

Implement a clear workflow for your cards. A common one is “To Do,” “In Progress,” “Under Review,” and “Done.” This visual progression helps you understand where tasks stand and what needs attention next.

Failing to define clear goals for each card is another mistake. Vague task descriptions lead to confusion and rework. “Make character” is far less effective than “Model character mesh for protagonist, polycount <5000, untextured.”

Spend time writing precise, actionable descriptions for every card. Include criteria for completion and any necessary resources. This clarity minimizes guesswork and streamlines the development process.

Over-reliance on Trello for every single detail can also be detrimental. Trello is excellent for task management, but it’s not a substitute for deeper planning or creative ideation. Trying to cram everything onto cards can make the system unwieldy.

Use Trello for what it’s best at: managing distinct, actionable tasks. For brainstorming, detailed design documents, or long-form planning, consider other tools or dedicated files linked from Trello. This ensures Trello remains lean and effective.

A lack of regular reflection on progress and roadblocks is another oversight. Just moving cards doesn’t tell you why some tasks take longer or why you get stuck. This prevents learning and improvement.

Take time each week to review your completed tasks and any stalled ones. Ask yourself why certain tasks were challenging or unexpectedly time-consuming. This self-assessment is crucial for understanding your workflow.

Consider integrating a more personal reflection process into your routine. Understanding your energy levels, moments of peak productivity, and common distractions can dramatically improve your efficiency. This deeper insight helps you plan your Trello tasks more realistically.

To truly master your solo game development, you need more than just a task list. You need a system that helps you understand your patterns, celebrate small wins, and learn from challenges. This is where a game dev journal becomes invaluable. It’s a place to track game development progress, reflect on your decisions, and maintain a game development log.

By consistently documenting your journey, you’ll gain clarity and motivation. You can log your daily progress, note technical breakthroughs, or even vent frustrations. This practice helps you stay consistent with devlogs and provides a rich resource for future reference.

A dedicated journal complements your Trello board perfectly. While Trello handles the “what,” your journal captures the “why” and “how you feel.” It’s an essential tool for managing your time and energy effectively for solo game projects. If you’re serious about taking your game development to the next level, it’s time to start journaling your progress and reflections for improved productivity and stress management. This simple step can transform your entire workflow.