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How to Build a Project Type (Case Tracker)

Use this step-by-step to learn how to build a case tracker for your client's Hona portal.

Written by Product Team

What this article helps with: Creating and configuring a Project Type (case tracker) in Hona — including naming it, setting up phase change messages, configuring project name display, and building phases within it.

Who this is for: Firm admins setting up or editing Project Types in Hona.

When not to use this article: If you're still deciding how to organize your case types and phases, start with Best Practices for Building Project Types. If you need to build phases within an existing Project Type, see How to Build Phases.


Key Terms

What do you mean when you say...

  • Business = Business/Law Firm who invested in Hona

  • Hona (Business) Org = Hona Org managed by the Business

  • Business User = An individual account within a Hona Business Org

    • Just like there are many employees at 1 Business, there are many Users in 1 Hona Org.

  • Client = General term for the end-user of the Hona Portal.

  • Lead = potential Client of the Business.

  • Hona Portal = Digital interface where Clients interact with Hona features configured by Business

Good to know Hona terms:

  • "Project" is the Hona term used to define "case" or "matter"

  • CMS = Case Management Software (often used interchangeably with CRM)

  • Project Type = A case tracker template in Hona that defines the phases, notifications, and messages for a given case type

Overview of Steps

1. Create/Edit Project Type

2. Configure Project Type Settings

3. Build Phases

4. Integrate with CRM (if applicable)

1. Create/Edit a Project Type

From your sidebar in Hona, open Company Settings → Project Types.

  • To create a new Project Type: click the + button in the top right-hand corner.

  • To edit an existing Project Type: click the 3 grey dots in the top right-hand corner of the project type → select Edit.

2. Configure Project Type Settings

Project Type Name

  • The internal name of the Case Tracker/Project Type. This name does not need to match the value mapped in your CRM/CMS — it is for internal use only.

Mapped Project Types

  • If you are integrating your Project Type with your CRM/CMS, this is where you map the values from your CRM/CMS field to your Project Type(s). To learn more about CRM/CMS-specific mapping, visit the Integrations section and find your system.

Phase Change Message

  • This is the notification sent via Email and/or SMS to clients each time they move from one phase to the next. A default value is provided. If you edit it, do not delete ##{{notification_link}} — this is the link your client clicks to access their Hona portal.

Project Name

  • This is the name of the case that your client sees at the top of their Hona portal. By default, it pulls from the case name or title in your CRM/CMS. You can use the Pipe Text button to pull a different field from your CRM/CMS, or enter a custom value.

New Project Notification

  • This is the notification sent via Email or SMS when a new project is created in Hona. A default value is provided. Do not delete ##{{notification_link}}. We also recommend including your business name in this message, as it is typically the first message your clients will receive from you.

"Send New Project Notification" toggle

  • If toggled on, the New Project Notification will be sent to contacts in this Project Type when a new project is created.

  • If toggled off, New Project Notifications will not be sent, and all New Project Reminders will be disabled as well.

New Project In App Notification

  • This message displays as a small pop-up window in your client's portal when they log in for the first time. It is also logged in the activity feed when a new Project is created.

3. Build Phases

To learn how to build phases within your Project Type, visit How to Build Phases.

4. Integrate with CRM (if applicable)

To learn how to integrate your project type with your CRM/CMS, visit the Integrations section and find your CRM/CMS-specific mapping guide.

FAQs

If I need to make more than one Project Type, do I need to build each one from scratch?

No. You can duplicate an existing Project Type:

  1. Navigate to Company Settings → Project Types

  2. Click the three dots in the top right corner of the Project Type you want to duplicate

  3. Select Duplicate, rename your new copy, and save

You can also contact [email protected] to ask about pre-made templates for specific case types or practice areas.

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