Automated Task Triage with Prioritization and Total Effort Calculation
Clear prioritization and total effort calculation are crucial for effective task management. Tasks can be submitted via a webhook including urgency, importance, and estimated effort. Each input is validated, assigned a priority, and returned in a sorted list with the overall effort sum. Invalid entries receive detailed error messages. This solution is ideal for teams and individuals aiming to efficiently structure and prioritize their task lists.
Organized task lists empower teams and individuals to work more efficiently. Upon activation through a POST webhook, the workflow expects a JSON array of tasks, each with a title, urgency, importance, and estimated effort in minutes. After validating all inputs, the workflow calculates a priority for each task using the formula: (Urgency*2 + Importance*2) / (1 + Effort in hours). Tasks are sorted in descending order of priority and returned as JSON along with the total effort sum. Incomplete or invalid entries prompt clear error messages. To prevent unauthorized access, webhook authentication must be enabled separately in n8n. The evaluation logic can be adjusted as needed. Execution data is stored in n8n; retention and access settings should be configured accordingly. This solution is especially well-suited for organizations that regularly structure and prioritize task lists, providing a transparent and directly actionable decision basis.
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Installation
1. Import the workflow into n8n.
2. Check the Webhook node and enable webhook authentication in n8n.
3. Save the workflow.
4. Start the test listener and use the displayed test URL of the Webhook node.
5. Send a sample POST with Content-Type application/json to the test URL (see usage example).
6. Verify the result.
7. After successful testing, publish/activate the workflow and use the production URL from the Webhook node.
8. Optionally: adjust the evaluation logic in the Code node.
9. Configure retention and access to execution data in n8n.
Usage
1. Send a POST request with the following JSON to the webhook URL:
```json
{
"tasks": [
{"title": "Bericht schreiben", "urgency": 4, "importance": 5, "effortMinutes": 120},
{"title": "E-Mails beantworten", "urgency": 3, "importance": 2, "effortMinutes": 30}
]
}
```
2. Expected response:
```json
{
"status": "success",
"tasks": [
{"title": "Bericht schreiben", "urgency": 4, "importance": 5, "effortMinutes": 120, "priority": 6.00},
{"title": "E-Mails beantworten", "urgency": 3, "importance": 2, "effortMinutes": 30, "priority": 4.62}
],
"totalEffortMinutes": 150
}
```
HTTP status: 200
3. Error case (e.g., missing fields):
```json
{
"tasks": [
{"title": "", "urgency": 4, "importance": 5, "effortMinutes": 120}
]
}
```
Response:
```json
{
"status": "error",
"message": "Jede Aufgabe benötigt title, urgency, importance und effortMinutes als Zahlen."
}
```
HTTP status: 200
4. The evaluation formula can be adjusted in the Code node.
5. Webhook authentication must be enabled before production use.
6. Execution data is stored in n8n; configure retention and access accordingly.
Required connections and APIs
API connections
No saved API credentials were detected in the workflow JSON. Still check webhooks, target systems, credentials, and data protection before activation.
Nodes
WebhookCodeRespond to Webhook
Isolated functional test passed
Optional isolated functional test
The isolated data flow was tested without external services or credentials.
✓ Standard case with complete dataChecks the complete standard flow with valid sample data.Isolated functional test passed✓ Variation or boundary caseChecks a valid variation or an important boundary case.Isolated functional test passed✓ Additional processing ruleChecks this workflow's additional business processing rule.Isolated functional test passed✓ Invalid or incomplete inputChecks that invalid or incomplete data is rejected safely.Isolated functional test passed✓ Empty inputChecks that an empty request receives a controlled response.Isolated functional test passed
