How to Use ClickUp as a Redmine Alternative

ClickUp gives teams a modern, flexible way to replace Redmine with a clear hierarchy, visual views, and powerful automation. This how-to guide walks you through setting up work, importing tasks, and building workflows so you can manage projects more effectively than in Redmine.

The steps below are based on best practices highlighted in the Redmine alternatives comparison, adapted into a practical, easy-to-follow setup guide.

Step 1: Plan Your Workspace Structure in ClickUp

Before creating anything, translate your existing Redmine structure into a clear workspace in ClickUp.

Map Redmine Projects to ClickUp Spaces

Start by deciding how to group your work:

• Create a Space for each major product, client, or department.
• Use Folders inside each Space for project groupings or releases.
• Use Lists inside Folders for specific projects, sprints, or modules.

This mirrors Redmine projects and subprojects, but ClickUp gives you more flexibility in how you visualize and filter work.

Define Your Custom Fields in ClickUp

Redmine often relies on trackers, custom fields, and statuses. In ClickUp you can recreate and improve these with:

• Custom Fields for priority, environment, component, or customer.
• Dropdowns to replace Redmine enumerations.
• Numbers for estimates or story points.
• Dates for due dates or target releases.

Document your fields before building so your workspace stays consistent as you grow.

Step 2: Create Core Task Workflows in ClickUp

To replace Redmine issue tracking, build clear, reusable workflows directly into your lists.

Build Statuses That Match Redmine States

In each List, configure task statuses that line up with your current process, such as:

• Backlog
• In Progress
• In Review
• Blocked
• Done

ClickUp lets you customize colors and add more granular statuses without making the board cluttered.

Use ClickUp Views to Mirror Redmine Screens

Where Redmine leans on issue tables and Gantt, ClickUp gives you multiple views for the same data:

• List view for a traditional, table-style display similar to Redmine issues.
• Board view to drag tasks across statuses, ideal for agile teams.
• Gantt view for dependencies and timelines comparable to Redmine Gantt charts.
• Calendar view to see deadlines and releases.

Create several views per List so different roles can choose what works best for them.

Step 3: Import or Rebuild Your Redmine Data

Once your structure and workflows are ready, bring your existing work into ClickUp.

Prepare Your Redmine Export

Export data from Redmine in a structured spreadsheet format:

1. Export issues with IDs, titles, descriptions, statuses, and assignees.
2. Include custom fields such as trackers, categories, and versions.
3. Capture relationships like parent tasks or dependencies if possible.

Clean the file so every column has a clear purpose and consistent values.

Import Tasks into ClickUp Lists

In each ClickUp List you can use the import function to turn rows into tasks:

1. Choose the target List that matches your previous Redmine project.
2. Map columns to task fields and custom fields.
3. Verify sample records before running the full import.

After import, check a subset of tasks to confirm statuses, assignees, and dates appear correctly.

Step 4: Configure Agile or IT Workflows in ClickUp

Redmine is often used for software development, IT, and bug tracking. You can recreate those workflows with specialized ClickUp features.

Set Up Sprints and Backlogs in ClickUp

If you run Scrum or Kanban:

• Create a dedicated Space for your engineering team.
• Use one List as your product backlog.
• Create additional Lists for each sprint or release.
• Use Sprint views and burndown charts to track progress.

ClickUp automations can move completed items or update fields when sprints end, saving time compared to manual Redmine updates.

Build ClickUp Templates for Recurring Work

To replace repetitive ticket creation in Redmine, set up templates for:

• Bug reports with required reproduction steps.
• Feature requests with acceptance criteria.
• Change requests with risk and impact fields.

When you create a new task, select the appropriate template to enforce consistent quality and reduce setup time.

Step 5: Use ClickUp for Collaboration and Documentation

Traditional Redmine setups can feel fragmented, with wikis and issues split across areas. ClickUp brings more collaboration into one place.

Replace Redmine Wiki with ClickUp Docs

Create Docs directly inside relevant Spaces or Folders to hold:

• Project overviews and roadmaps.
• Runbooks and standard operating procedures.
• Release notes and change logs.

Link Docs to tasks to provide context for requirements, designs, or test plans.

Use Comments and Mentions in ClickUp

Where Redmine relies heavily on issue notes, ClickUp provides richer communication:

• Use threaded comments to keep discussions organized.
• Mention teammates with @ to request input.
• Attach files or screenshots directly to tasks.
• Turn comments into new tasks when action items appear.

This keeps decisions and conversations attached to the work instead of scattered across tools.

Step 6: Automate Routine Processes in ClickUp

Redmine typically needs plugins or manual effort to automate workflows. ClickUp gives you automation tools built in.

Create Time-Saving ClickUp Automations

Consider setting up automations like:

• When status changes to In Review, assign to a reviewer.
• When priority is set to Critical, notify a specific channel or user.
• When due date passes, change status to Overdue and alert the assignee.

Start with a few critical automations and expand gradually so the team is not overwhelmed.

Track Time and Reporting in ClickUp

To replace Redmine time tracking and reports:

• Enable time tracking on tasks for billable work or internal analysis.
• Use Dashboards to display charts, workload, and cycle time.
• Filter reports by assignee, status, or custom fields.

This gives managers a real-time view of progress without needing separate reporting tools.

Step 7: Roll Out ClickUp to Your Team

After configuration, focus on adoption so your team is comfortable moving away from Redmine.

Train Users on Core ClickUp Features

Introduce the platform in short, focused sessions:

• Navigating Spaces, Folders, and Lists.
• Creating and updating tasks.
• Using views, filters, and search.
• Collaborating via comments and Docs.

Capture questions in a shared Doc and refine your workspace to remove friction as you learn.

Iterate on Your ClickUp Setup

After a few weeks, gather feedback and adjust:

• Simplify statuses if boards feel crowded.
• Add missing custom fields only when they are truly needed.
• Tune automations that create noise.

The goal is to keep ClickUp flexible while staying easy to understand for every team member.

Next Steps and Helpful Resources

Moving from Redmine to a modern work hub is an opportunity to improve your entire process, not just copy settings. As you refine your approach, consider speaking with experienced consultants for workspace design, data migration, and integration planning.

For additional strategic guidance on optimizing your stack around ClickUp, you can review services from Consultevo, which focuses on workflow and tool alignment.

Use this guide as a baseline, then expand your use of views, Docs, and automations so ClickUp becomes the single organized home for all of your projects, tasks, and collaboration.

Need Help With ClickUp?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your ClickUp workspace, work with ConsultEvo — trusted ClickUp Solution Partners.

Get Help

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