Independent from project type (agile/non-agile) and independent from the depth and size of projects and tasks, I need to keep tracking multiple tasks of multiple projects.
Currently I use a status-list of multiple projects. So each item is a project. Under each project-item I put a task. This is only for status-tracking. Not for organisation, planning etc. Here is an example:
Level 1:
- Building a house
- Organize next vacation
Level 2:
- Building a house
-- Plan the costs
Level 3:
- Building a house
-- Plan the costs
--- Status 24.09.2015;
Message: Could not estimate my available money
Status: Critical
Due Date: 08.12.2015 {code}
Now the problem with that is, when people are using this kind of status report, it easily leads to losing the focus on the due-date. So on the next entry it might be the same task ("plan the cost") with a new due date. Because they are allowed to change the due date. Well that is OK, but when changing the due date I want to ensure people are aware that they delay the task.
This is my request:
What process do you use/recommend to make people aware that they delay the task.
Notice: I would like to avoid e-mail-communication. I would be glad to see suggestions like "new/approved" status-management methods.
Edit: As suggested by an answer (below), in this case it is not an option to do the reporting in the work-tools or pm tools (like jira, ms project etc.). The reporting needs to be written/stored at the same place for all project-types.