Shorter Loop enforces smart constraints on how work items and objectives can be organized within roadmap intervals. This enhancement ensures clean roadmap visualization by preventing duplicate entries within the same time period while allowing flexibility across different intervals.How It Works#
Within a single time interval, each work item or objective can only be added to one swimlane. This prevents confusion and ensures that each item has a clear owner and focus area during that time period. However, the same work item or objective can appear in different swimlanes across different intervals, allowing you to show how priorities and ownership shift over time.Work Items: One Swimlane Per Interval#
The Rule#
Once you've added a work item to a specific objective (swimlane) within an interval, that work item cannot be added to another swimlane in the same interval.Example#
Consider planning your product roadmap with multiple objectives:You add OBJ-1: Advanced Search to the "Improve User Experience" (Swimlane A)
You cannot add OBJ-1: Advanced Search to the "Increase Performance" (Swimlane B) in the same Q1 2025 interval
OBJ-1 is now locked to Swimlane A for Q1 2025
You can add OBJ-1: Advanced Search to the "Increase Performance" (Swimlane B) in Q2 2025
This represents the continuation or different phase of the same feature under a different objective
Why This Matters#
Prevents accidental duplication within the same time period
Ensures clear ownership - each work item has one primary objective per interval
Allows strategic shifts - work items can move between objectives across time periods
Maintains clean visualization - your roadmap remains unambiguous and easy to understand
Availability Across Roadmaps#
Understanding Objective Availability#
Objectives from your strategy board can be added to roadmaps as swimlanes. However, once an objective is used in a roadmap interval, it may not be available for other roadmaps depending on how it's been allocated.Empty Objectives List#
If you create a new roadmap and find that no objectives are available in the artifacts panel, it means all objectives from your strategy board have already been allocated to other roadmaps."Your Objectives List is Empty"
Your objectives list is currently empty. Add objectives to get started and track your progress effectively.
Click "Go to Strategy Board" to create new objectives
Review existing roadmaps to see where objectives have been allocated
Consider if objectives can be shared or if new ones need to be created
Duplicate Prevention#
Error Notification#
When you attempt to add a work item or objective that already exists in the same interval, you'll see this notification:"This item is already part of the selected interval."
No duplicate entries within the same time period
Clear, unambiguous roadmap structure
Intentional placement of work items and objectives
Best Practices#
For Swimlane Organization:Assign work items to the primary objective they support in each interval
If a work item supports multiple objectives in the same period, choose the most critical focus area
Use different intervals to show how work item priorities and ownership shift over time
Plan objective allocation across roadmaps to ensure availability
Review your strategy board regularly to ensure sufficient objectives are available
Consider creating objectives that can span multiple roadmaps if needed
Use the constraint as a planning tool - it forces clarity about what work belongs where
Before creating a new roadmap, check objective availability
Coordinate with your team on objective allocation across roadmaps
Create new objectives in the strategy board when needed for new roadmaps
Need Help?#
If you have questions about managing work items and objectives across swimlanes and roadmaps, please contact our support team or visit the Shorter Loop Help Center. 