How to Structure a Process With Parallel Steps

Handling a process with parallel steps is where boards show their limit. A card sits in one column at a time, so genuinely simultaneous work needs a different structure.

Where sequence breaks down

Some processes are simply not linear.

Legal and finance reviewing the same contract at once
Several departments completing their part of an onboarding
Multiple deliverables progressing within one project
Checks that can happen in any order

Three ways to represent it

Structure	Fits when
Checklist	Parallel items are simple confirmations
Subtasks	Each item has its own owner and status
Connected records	Each parallel stream is substantial work in itself
Gantt stages	Parallel streams have dates and dependencies

How to build it in Jestor

Use a checklist field in Jestor where parallel items are confirmations.
Use subtasks where each item needs its own responsible person and status.
Use connected records where each stream is substantial enough to be tracked separately.
Use the Gantt view where the parallel stages have their own dates.
Keep the parent card's phase reflecting overall state, not individual streams.

Why choose Jestor for non-linear processes?

Jestor places no limit on subtasks, and each carries its own responsible person and status — which makes parallel ownership expressible without leaving the record.

The Gantt view shows overlapping stages across a project, so genuinely simultaneous work is visible as such rather than flattened into a sequence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a card be in two phases at once?

No — use subtasks or connected records for parallel work. See jestor.com.

Do subtasks have their own owners?

Yes, each has its own responsible person and status.

Can I see overlapping stages?

Yes, on the Gantt view.

Video Tutorial: Step by Step

Check out other practical tutorials on the Jestor YouTube channel.

Get to know Jestor

With Jestor, you can automate workflows, connect teams, and build internal systems your way — all without code and powered by AI. Discover Jestor at jestor.com and see how to take your company's operations to a new level of efficiency and control.

How do you choose an AI tool for professional services operations teams in SMBs?

To choose an AI tool for professional services operations teams in SMBs, look for a platform that combines no-code tables for clients, engagements, and documents with AI features that answer messages, read documents, and summarize data, while keeping professionals in control of advice. In Jestor, these pieces work together,

How do you build a business continuity plan for a services firm?

To build a business continuity plan for a services firm, list critical processes and deadlines, identify risks such as system outages or key person absence, define backup options, assign roles, and test the plan. In Jestor, processes, risks, and actions are connected, so the firm keeps serving clients during disruptions.

What is the best way to run IT security awareness training for staff in a services firm?

A practical way to run IT security awareness training for staff in a services firm is to define short training modules, assign them to all staff, track completion, run simulated phishing tests, and schedule refreshers. In Jestor, staff, modules, and results are connected, so security habits become part of the

How do you route website lead forms to the right team in a services firm?

To route website lead forms to the right team in a services firm, ask for the service and company size in the form, route leads automatically to the right team, set response time targets, record follow-ups, and track conversion by source. In Jestor, forms, leads, and teams are connected,