I’m pretty pleased with my experience with Asana since I really started using it at the start of the year. I like the ubiquity of it, I like the way it is laid out (for the most part) and I really like the email integration that goes along with it.

But there are things I don’t like.

You know…things that give me pause every once in a while, although not cause for concern. That said, the reason they don’t give me cause for concern is the constant development they are undertaking.

Yet with my previous productivity app, OmniFocus, now having its OmniSyncServer released from the clutches of “beta-dom” (and with a price tag of free going along with it) and rumours of a web interface on the horizon, some of the main reasons for my switch are no longer factors. So there’s that.

What exactly would I like to see Asana deliver sooner — rather than later? Well…

An improved mobile experience

While I’m glad there is Asana for iOS (save the iPad), it isn’t very useful to me right now. It is missing a lot of the key features I’d like to see (date modification, Workspace creation, etc.) and I can really only use it to see what I’ve got on the go and to check off completed tasks.

I imagine this is a top priority for the team, and I’ve got my fingers crossed it will arrive very, very soon. When you consider that OmniFocus has a stellar iOS experience for its users and Asana doesn’t even come close to that right now, it makes it challenging to convert or coax new users who mainly use their iPhone and iPad (and, yes, Android) for productivity purposes.

Offline access

This is another big one.

Asana went offline on Friday and while I wasn’t overly inconvenienced by that (late Friday isn’t the worst day or time this could’ve happened), others may have been – and may be dwelling on that if they use it as a primary task manager/productivity system. Adding offline access would be a great way to alleviate any concerns users may have with Asana, although having to develop native apps for each platform is highly unlikely to happen. Offline access was addressed by Kenny Van Zant of Asana in my Lifehack piece last month, and they can’t roll their solution out soon enough in my book.

Being away from your productivity app by choice is a good thing. Having it not available to you without having a choice…not so much.

Revisit, Regret, Resolve

Am I rethinking or regretting the move to Asana? No. Well, not yet.

Perhaps I need to view Asana as one tool for team projects and then have a system for individual projects. Maybe collaborative tools can’t – or don’t– work for individuals. Could I be that nothing has been made yet that can do both?

I’m not sure yet…although I’m sure I’ll find out by sticking with Asana.

Exclusively.

For now.

New to Asana? Have you been using it for a while and want to get more out of it? Then purchase the book I co-authored with fellow Asana aficionado Jeremy Roberts called Do Better With Asana. It’s the ultimate Asana resource that features tactics, tips, and tricks that will turn you into an Asana action figure. Buy Do Better with Asana directly here or through Amazon.