Goal
The goal of building Project Types in Hona is to align your client communication with your firm’s actual workflow. By setting up thoughtful timelines and updates, you ensure clients are consistently informed without adding extra work for your staff. We’re happy to provide templates if you’d like a starting point based on how other firms use Hona.
1. Organize Case Types to Determine Project Types
A Project Type in Hona functions as both a timeline and/or a set of updates. Some case types will share the same general steps or updates, while others will be completely unique. The way you organize your Project Types depends on how you categorize your cases and what information you want clients in each category to receive.
If you do not already define case types internally at your business, visit our support article Best Practices for Defining Case Types.
To learn how to create a new Project Type and configure its settings, visit How to Build a Project Type (Case Tracker).
Do I need more than one Project Type?
Not necessarily. If all your cases follow the same general set of updates, you can build just one Project Type. However, if you handle multiple case types with different timelines or updates, creating separate Project Types will give clients a more accurate and personalized experience for the type of case they are assigned.
2. Determine Your Phases
Once you’ve chosen the Project Types you want to create, the next step is to define the Phases that make up each one. Remember, the content in these phases is what clients will receive as automatic case updates.
Think of Phases as checkpoints in the case timeline:
Some case types follow predictable, sequential steps.
Others may have a flexible series of updates that can occur in any order.
Hona is designed to support both approaches.
Guiding Questions:
Can this case type be broken into clear sequential phases?
Will it be obvious to your staff when to move a case into the next phase?
What updates are you already sending clients for this type of case?
What are the most critical steps for this case type, and how do you currently communicate them to clients?
If you do not already define "phases" and need some help doing so, visit our support article Best Practice for Determining your Phases.
If you're ready to start building your Phases in Hona, visit How to Build Phases for a step-by-step guide on doing so.
Why this Matters
Project Types and Phases are the backbone of how Hona keeps your clients informed. When set up correctly, they:
Reduce repetitive work for your staff by automating routine updates.
Build client trust by keeping them consistently informed about their case progress.
Create a smoother experience for both the firm and the client, minimizing uncertainty and unnecessary outreach.
Ultimately, a well-structured Project Type ensures your communication is proactive, clear, and aligned with how your firm actually works.