# Create and Assign Tasks from the Operations Command Center

Use **Operations → Command Center** when operational work needs a clear owner, due date, related record, and status. This is where cleaning, maintenance, inspections, guest requests, restocking, provider jobs, and service follow-up move out of chat and into a trackable workflow.

![Operations Command Center showing active, expired, completed, and team task counts](/screenshots/operations-owner-portal/operations-command-center.png)

## When to Create a Task

Create a task when someone needs to do something operational, such as:

- clean after checkout
- inspect before check-in
- replace a broken item
- restock amenities
- follow up on a guest issue
- check damage or maintenance
- assign a provider job
- prepare for an owner stay

If the same work repeats often, create a [task template](/platform-guides/create-task-templates-and-checklists/) first, then attach that template when creating the task.

## Open the Command Center

1. Click **Operations** in the left sidebar.
2. Open **Command Center**.
3. Use the search bar to find tasks or service bookings.
4. Use the date filter when you are planning a specific operating day.
5. Use **All**, **Tasks**, and **Services** to switch between normal tasks and service-booking work.
6. Use **List** view for daily work or **Map** view when location matters.
7. Use **Active**, **Expired**, and **Completed** to understand status.
8. Click **New Task**.

The right-side Team rail helps managers quickly see who has open work and who may need follow-up. On smaller screens, the team view appears as a collapsible section.

Use **Map** view for geographically spread work, such as provider visits or multiple same-day turnovers.

## Create a Task

In the **Create New Task** modal, add the operational context before assigning the work.

![Create New Task modal showing job template, title, description, assignee, priority, related entity, due date, start time, and tags](/screenshots/operations-owner-portal/create-new-task-modal.png)

Complete the main fields:

| Field | What to Add |
| --- | --- |
| **Job Template** | Optional. Use this when the task should include a saved checklist. |
| **Title** | A short action-based title, such as **Prepare Villa Luna for 3 PM check-in**. |
| **Description** | The details the assignee needs before starting. |
| **Assign To** | A team member responsible for the work. |
| **Provider** | Optional. Use this when the work is handled by an external vendor instead of a team member. |
| **Budget** | Optional provider budget, with currency, when you want the expected cost visible on the job. |
| **Invoice Review** | Turn on when a provider invoice should be reviewed before the task is closed financially. |
| **Priority** | Use **Urgent** only when it changes the order of work. |
| **Due Date** | The deadline for completion. |
| **Start Time** | Optional, useful for cleaning windows, inspections, and provider visits. |
| **Related To** | Link the task to a listing, booking, customer, quotation, or service when relevant. |
| **Reference Photos or Videos** | Optional visual instructions, before examples, damage photos, or expected setup proof. |
| **Tags** | Optional labels such as urgent, follow-up, linen, pool, or maintenance. |

SympleHost requires either a team member assignee or an external provider. This keeps every task accountable before it is created.

Click **Create Task** once the work is clear enough for someone else to complete without extra messages.

## Link Tasks to the Right Record

Linking a task helps the team understand why the work exists.

Use:

- **Listing** for property-level work, such as maintenance or inventory.
- **Booking** for stay-specific work, such as checkout cleaning or guest arrival prep.
- **Customer** for guest follow-up that is not tied to one booking.
- **Quotation** when work is connected to a quoted direct booking or service.
- **Service** when the work supports a service booking or tour.

This makes task history easier to review later and keeps the operational trail connected to the customer or reservation.

## Use a Task Template

Use a **Job Template** when the work should follow a repeatable checklist.

![Task Templates screen showing reusable checkout cleaning templates and template filters](/screenshots/operations-owner-portal/job-templates.png)

Templates are useful for:

- checkout turnovers
- pre-arrival inspections
- maintenance checks
- deep cleans
- inventory and amenity counts
- photo-proof workflows
- standard operating procedures

When a template is attached, its checklist is copied into the task. If the task has not started yet, managers can still change the template from the task detail page; changing it replaces the checklist with the new template.

## Assign to a Team Member

Assign normal internal work to a team member or workforce member.

Use a team member assignment for:

- cleaners
- inspectors
- maintenance staff
- operations coordinators
- team members who update work from SympleHost or the staff portal

If cleaners need a simpler mobile view, set them up through [Workforce and the cleaner portal](/platform-guides/add-workforce-members-and-share-cleaner-portal/).

## Assign to an External Provider

Use provider assignment when the work is handled externally, such as:

- specialist repairs
- pool, garden, or pest control
- appliance servicing
- contractor jobs
- transport or service partners

For provider work, choose the provider, add the expected budget when known, select the currency, and turn on invoice review if the final invoice should be checked.

If a cost needs to be tracked formally, record or review it in [Operations Expenses](/platform-guides/manage-operations-expenses-and-owner-approvals/).

![Operations Expenses screen showing expense rows, source, approval status, and owner approval workflow](/screenshots/operations-owner-portal/operations-expenses.png)

## Add Reference Media

Reference photos and videos help the assignee understand the expected standard.

Use reference media for:

- room setup examples
- damage that needs inspection
- appliance issues
- before-condition photos
- where to find equipment
- how a completed setup should look

Reference media is different from completion proof. Reference media tells the worker what to do; completion proof is what they upload while completing the task.

## Track the Task After Creating It

After the task is created, track it from **Operations → Command Center**.

Use:

- **Active** for open work
- **Expired** for overdue work
- **Completed** for finished work
- **All / Tasks / Services** to separate normal tasks from service-booking work
- **Date** to focus on a specific operating day
- **Team rail** to filter by person and spot overloaded team members
- **Map** view when task location matters

Open the task detail page to edit the description, schedule, assignee, provider details, related record, or template where editing is still allowed.

Completed tasks can still feed into **Reports** and **Expenses** when checklist issues, proof, or costs need review.

## Good Task Titles

Good titles are specific and action-based.

| Weak Title | Better Title |
| --- | --- |
| Pool issue | Replace pool pump filter before Friday check-in |
| Clean villa | Checkout turnover for Villa Luna, booking #2041 |
| Guest request | Deliver baby cot to Villa Sari before 2 PM |
| Maintenance | Inspect AC leak in master bedroom and upload photo |
| Provider | Send plumber to inspect downstairs bathroom leak |

The goal is simple: the assignee should know what success looks like before opening the task.

## Best Practice Flow

1. Create reusable templates for repeatable work.
2. Open **Operations → Command Center**.
3. Create or automate the task.
4. Attach the right job template.
5. Link it to the booking, listing, customer, quotation, or service.
6. Assign a team member or provider.
7. Add due date, start time, priority, and reference media.
8. Track it from **Active**, **Expired**, and **Completed**.
9. Review any issues in **Operations → Reports**.
10. Add expenses or owner approvals where needed.

## Common Examples

| Scenario | Recommended Setup |
| --- | --- |
| Checkout turnover | Booking-related task, cleaning template, cleaner assignee, due date before next check-in. |
| AC repair | Listing-related task, maintenance priority, provider assignment, budget, invoice review. |
| Guest request | Booking or customer-related task, team member assignee, due date before guest arrival. |
| Inventory check | Listing-related task, checklist template with count items. |
| Service booking support | Service-related task or service booking assignment, visible in the Services filter. |

## Troubleshooting

### I cannot see Operations or Command Center

Your role may not have access. Staff users may only see their assigned work, while account admins and managers can usually see broader Operations tools.

### I cannot create the task

Make sure the task has a title, description, due date, and either a team member assignee or an external provider.

### The assignee is missing

Check that the person is active in your team. If they are a cleaner or workforce member, confirm they are set up under **Operations → Workforce**.

### The provider is missing

Add or check the provider under **Operations → Providers**, then return to the task.

### The task template is missing

Make sure the template is active and saved under **Operations → Job Templates**.

### The related record search does not show the right item

Select the related type first: listing, booking, customer, quotation, or service. Then search for the specific record.

### The task is linked to the wrong booking or listing

Open the task detail and update the related record if editing is still available. If the work has already been completed and reported, create a follow-up task with the correct link.

### The cost is missing from Expenses

Check whether the cost was submitted as part of task completion or added manually in **Operations → Expenses**. Link the expense to the task when you want the financial trail to stay connected.

## Related Articles

- [Create Task Templates and Operational Checklists](/platform-guides/create-task-templates-and-checklists/)
- [Track Task Progress and Completions](/platform-guides/track-task-progress/)
- [Set Up Operations Automations and Task Reminders](/platform-guides/set-up-recurring-task-reminders/)
- [Manage Operations Expenses and Owner Approvals](/platform-guides/manage-operations-expenses-and-owner-approvals/)
- [Add Workforce Members and Share the Cleaner Portal](/platform-guides/add-workforce-members-and-share-cleaner-portal/)
- [Add Team Members and Roles](/getting-started/add-team-members-and-roles/)