The ideal solution for managing subtasks would be to combine the features of the checklist and sub-item into one field. Checklists work well for subtasks because they can be assigned to a person, which allows them to appear in "My Work." However, they lack the necessary functionality that effective subtasks require. For example, checklists are not flexible—they don't allow for the addition of extra fields or the assignment of specific times of day, which means they can't trigger reminders at a particular time (a feature that, with proper automation, could address the current lack of due reminders in SmartSuite). Additionally, checklists cannot be opened in a new window for adding more detailed information, making them too simplistic.

On the other hand, sub-items are far more powerful in this regard. They allow for the inclusion of almost any type of field, which enables the capture of detailed information related to a specific subtask. You can even add a due time to the date, which is a great feature. However, the major drawback of sub-items is that they cannot be assigned to a person, meaning they won't show up in "My Work." This limitation negates the benefit of having a due time, as it reduces the overall usefulness of sub-items.

I can accept the idea that subtasks should not be assigned to someone other than the person responsible for the main task, as it makes sense for the task owner to handle all associated subtasks. However, the subtask should at least be automatically assigned to the task owner, ensuring that notifications appear in "My Work." Otherwise, the potential of sub-items is wasted.

In summary, merging the capabilities of checklists and sub-items would create the perfect solution for managing subtasks.