How to Use the Not Started Status Group in ClickUp

The Not Started status group in ClickUp helps you organize new tasks before work begins, so your workflows stay clear, predictable, and easy to manage.

This guide explains what the Not Started status group is, how it behaves across your workspace, and how to set it up for different levels of hierarchy.

What the Not Started Status Group in ClickUp Does

The Not Started status group in ClickUp is designed for tasks that have not yet entered active work. It captures items that are planned, queued, or waiting for someone to begin.

In most workflows, this status group includes one or more custom statuses representing early phases, such as planning or backlog. These statuses let you see which tasks are upcoming without mixing them with work that is already in progress.

How the Not Started Group Fits Into ClickUp Statuses

In ClickUp, each task moves through at least one status group during its lifecycle. The Not Started status group is the earliest part of that lifecycle and is typically followed by groups like In Progress and Done.

Key characteristics of the Not Started group include:

• Tasks have been created but not worked on yet.
• Team members can quickly see which tasks are ready to be picked up.
• Workload and planning views remain clean and predictable.

This structure gives you a consistent way to understand where work stands at a glance across Spaces, Folders, and Lists.

Where You Can Configure Not Started in ClickUp

You can work with the Not Started status group in ClickUp at different levels of your workspace hierarchy, depending on how consistent you want your workflows to be.

Workspace Level ClickUp Statuses

At the highest level, you can define default statuses for your Workspace. When the Not Started status group is configured here, new locations you create can automatically inherit these defaults.

This is useful when you want most teams to follow the same early-stage workflow, such as:

• Idea
• Backlog
• Ready

By aligning these at the Workspace level, you reduce the setup work for new Spaces and keep reporting more consistent.

Space Level ClickUp Statuses

Within each Space, you can refine or override the Not Started status group defined at the Workspace level. This is helpful when different departments use slightly different early-stage processes.

For example, a Product Space might have:

• Discovery
• Specification
• Prioritized

Meanwhile, a Marketing Space could prefer:

• Brief Needed
• Brief In Review
• Scheduled

Using a tailored Not Started group at the Space level in ClickUp keeps each team’s workflow familiar while still following an overall structure.

Folder and List Level ClickUp Statuses

For more granular control, ClickUp allows you to manage statuses for individual Folders and Lists. When you configure a Not Started status group at these levels, you can fine-tune how specific projects begin.

Typical use cases include:

• Special project phases that only apply to one client or product line.
• Short-term initiatives that need simplified early workflow steps.
• Pilot projects testing a new intake or planning process.

Customizing Not Started at the Folder or List level gives project owners precision without affecting unrelated parts of the workspace.

How to View the Not Started Status Group in ClickUp

The Not Started status group appears in several places within ClickUp, depending on your chosen views and settings.

1. Task views: When you open a List or Board view, tasks with a Not Started status are grouped visually, making it easy to see all items awaiting action.

2. Filters and sorting: You can filter by Not Started statuses to focus only on tasks that have not yet moved into production or execution.

3. Dashboards and reports: Many reporting widgets can show counts and trends for Not Started tasks across your ClickUp workspace.

By keeping these tasks clearly separated, you reduce confusion between planned work and work already underway.

Best Practices for Using Not Started in ClickUp

To get consistent results from the Not Started status group in ClickUp, apply the following recommendations:

• Keep it simple: Use only as many early-phase statuses as you truly need so teammates are not overwhelmed with options.
• Align naming: Choose clear, descriptive names that any new team member can understand at a glance.
• Review regularly: Periodically verify that tasks are not stuck in Not Started when they should be moving to an active status.
• Use with templates: Save Lists and Folders as templates so the same Not Started group is reused consistently.

These practices help maintain clarity as your workspace grows.

Troubleshooting Not Started Status Issues in ClickUp

If you run into issues with how the Not Started group appears or behaves in ClickUp, consider these checks:

• Confirm the current status configuration at the Workspace, Space, Folder, and List levels.
• Check whether a specific view has filters hiding some Not Started tasks.
• Review any templates recently applied that may have changed the default statuses.

For full, official documentation about the Not Started status group and related options, refer to the source help section from ClickUp at this support page.

More Help Optimizing Your ClickUp Setup

If you want tailored guidance on structuring statuses, building workflows, or aligning your ClickUp workspace with your broader process strategy, you can find additional consulting and content resources at Consultevo.

By understanding and correctly configuring the Not Started status group in ClickUp, you create a reliable foundation for every task, from the moment it is created until it reaches completion.

Need Help With ClickUp?

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

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