The Most Overlooked Features in Project Management Tools That Save Hours Every Month

Project management tools are packed with features—some front and center, others quietly tucked away. While most teams focus on task boards and deadlines, there are lesser-known gems that, once discovered, can save hours every week (and your sanity).

Here’s a breakdown of the most underrated features in tools like Jira, Trello, Asana, and others that smart teams are using to work smarter, not harder.

1. Automation Rules

This one’s a productivity-changer. Tools like Jira and Trello let you set up automation rules so repetitive tasks happen without you lifting a finger. Think:

• Auto-assigning tickets based on issue type

• Moving cards when a checklist is complete

• Notifying a teammate when a task status changes
  

It takes a few minutes to set up but can save hours of manual updates every month.

2. Keyboard Shortcuts

It might sound basic, but using keyboard shortcuts can dramatically speed up your workflow. Whether it’s jumping between boards, creating tasks, or opening side panels, cutting down clicks adds up fast.

Pro tip: Print out the shortcut guide for your tool and keep it nearby—your future self will thank you.

3. Saved Filters & Custom Views

Stop digging through cluttered boards or long task lists. Saved filters let you create focused views like:

• "All bugs assigned to me this week"

• "Marketing tasks due next 7 days"

• "High-priority items still in review"
  

Set it up once, save it, and check it daily. Clean. Efficient. Focused.

4. Comment Threads with @Mentions

Sure, leaving comments is standard. But are you using them strategically? Use @mentions to direct questions, approvals, or updates to the right teammate—in context, without email ping-pong.

Bonus: It creates a searchable record of the convo. Way easier than digging through chat threads.

5. Calendar and Timeline Views

Boards are great, but timeline views help you see the big picture. Most tools have calendar or Gantt-style views that show how work overlaps, where bottlenecks are, and what’s coming up next.

It’s like going from "what's next?" to "we got this." Instant clarity.

6. Templates and Recurring Tasks

Why reinvent the wheel? Whether it's onboarding a new hire or kicking off a sprint, templates let you replicate best practices without starting from scratch. Recurring tasks ensure those weekly check-ins or monthly reports never fall through the cracks.

7. Integrations That Actually Work

Your project tool isn’t an island. Integrations with Slack, Google Drive, Confluence, and time tracking tools can tie your work together. For example:

• Link Google Docs right inside tasks

• Get Slack alerts when tasks change

• Sync deadlines to your calendar
  

Used well, integrations turn your project tool into a productivity hub.

8. Bulk Editing & Drag-and-Drop

Editing one task at a time? Painful. Bulk editing features let you update labels, due dates, assignees, and more in one go. And drag-and-drop reordering is perfect for grooming backlogs or reorganizing priorities fast.

9. Custom Fields That Mean Something

Out of the box, task tools give you the basics. But custom fields let you track what really matters to your team—like client name, billable hours, stage of approval, or content type.

It adds structure without bloat.

10. Dashboards That Tell a Story

Dashboards aren’t just for execs. They help your team see how things are progressing at a glance. Burnup charts, progress bars, and pie charts make status updates visual and actionable.

Final Thoughts

The best project management tools are the ones you actually use—and use well. Exploring these overlooked features can shave hours off your workload, boost team clarity, and bring some much-needed calm to the chaos.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or not sure where to start, don’t worry—that’s where we come in.

At Jer-nee, we help teams simplify their tools, automate the busywork, and actually enjoy using their project management software. Let’s make your tools work for you, not the other way around.

Ready to save time and sanity?