Create Trello Cards from New Cases in CommCare: A Seamless Integration

Introduction to Trello and CommCare

Trello is a popular project management tool that helps teams collaborate and organize tasks using boards, lists,
and cards. It’s like a digital whiteboard, where you can jot down ideas, assign tasks, and track progress in
real-time. On the other hand, CommCare is a versatile platform used for data collection and case management. It
is widely used in healthcare and community projects to gather and analyze field data efficiently.

Imagine combining these two powerhouses! By integrating Trello with CommCare, you can automatically generate
Trello cards for every new case created in CommCare. This ensures smooth workflows and reduces the manual
effort required to transfer information between platforms. This article will walk you through the process of
setting up this integration, making it easier for you to manage tasks effectively.

Why Integrate Trello with CommCare?

The integration between Trello and CommCare is a game-changer. It offers a streamlined way to handle project
management and case tracking without needing to shuffle back and forth between different tools. By linking these
platforms, you’re bringing your task planning and data collection together under one roof.

Think about it: whenever a new case pops up in CommCare, wouldn’t it be great if you could instantly see and
manage it on Trello? This integration reduces the chances of missing critical updates and helps teams stay
aligned and informed. Ultimately, this synergy translates to improved productivity and better project outcomes.

Setting Up the Integration

Getting Started with Make.com

To begin, you’ll need to create an account on Make.com, a platform that facilitates automation between your
favorite apps. Once registered, you can start creating scenarios—automated workflows connecting different
apps—to link Trello and CommCare. If you’re familiar with Lego bricks, think of Make.com as your toolkit, ready
to assemble different pieces together into a functioning masterpiece.

Navigate to the Make.com dashboard and look for the option to set up a new scenario. You’ll be prompted to select
the apps you wish to connect—in this case, Trello and CommCare. The user-friendly interface helps guide you
through the setup process, which we’ll dive into next.

Creating the Trigger in CommCare

The first step in crafting this integration is establishing a trigger within CommCare. A trigger serves as the
starting point for any workflow, much like the ignition in your car. For our integration, the trigger will be a
new case creation in CommCare. Every time a new case is logged, it will activate the automation process you’ve
set up.

Log into your CommCare account and locate the API documentation section. Here, you can find the necessary details
to enable webhooks—a type of trigger that sends data to specified URLs when events occur. This will allow
Make.com to pick up on these new cases and initiate the creation of Trello cards.

Automating Trello Card Creation

Configuring Actions in Trello

Once the trigger is set up, it’s time to define actions in Trello. Actions are the tasks that occur once a
trigger has been activated. In this analogy, if the trigger is the ignition of your car, then actions are the
routes you choose to take. Our action in this scenario is creating a new card in Trello, which will represent
the new case from CommCare.

Within Make.com, choose the ‘Create Card’ action for Trello. Here, you’ll map the fields from CommCare to the
relevant sections on Trello cards. This includes naming the card, providing a description, and assigning it to a
list on your Trello board. Customize this mapping to suit your team’s workflow, ensuring all necessary details
are carried over.

Testing the Integration

With both triggers and actions set, it’s crucial to test your integration. Think of this phase as a test drive
before hitting the open road. Testing helps ensure everything flows smoothly and the data transfers accurately
between CommCare and Trello. Create a test case in CommCare and observe whether a corresponding card appears in
Trello.

If errors arise, don’t fret. Troubleshooting is part and parcel of the integration process. Check your mappings,
verify the webhook URL, and ensure all permissions are correctly granted. Once testing is successful, you’re all
set to automate your workflow seamlessly.

Benefits of Automation in Task Management

Integrating Trello and CommCare brings numerous benefits to your task management processes. For starters, it
significantly reduces the manual labor involved in transferring data, freeing up time for more strategic
activities. Imagine the hours saved when your team no longer needs to manually input data from one platform to
another!

Moreover, automation minimizes human error, ensuring that data transferred is accurate and up-to-date. This
reliability boosts confidence in decision-making and enhances team collaboration. By automating such processes,
your team can focus on what matters most—delivering high-quality results efficiently and effectively.

Conclusion

Incorporating an integration between Trello and CommCare can transform how you manage projects and cases. This
seamless connection ensures that your team remains organized, informed, and productive. By setting up this
automation, you enable your team to work smarter—not harder—achieving greater success in your collaborative
efforts.

FAQs

How do I start integrating Trello and CommCare?

Begin by creating an account on Make.com, which allows you to set up automated workflows that connect Trello and
CommCare. Follow the steps outlined in the article to establish triggers and actions.

Can I customize the Trello cards created from CommCare?

Yes, during the integration setup, you can map fields from CommCare to specific sections of Trello cards to
reflect your team’s unique workflow requirements.

What happens if there’s an error during the integration?

If errors occur, review your setup details including mapping configurations, webhook URLs, and permissions. Ensure
all steps are correctly followed as outlined in the article.

Is Make.com the only platform to integrate Trello and CommCare?

While Make.com is a suggested platform due to its user-friendly features, there may be other automation tools
available depending on your specific needs and preferences.

How does automation benefit my team?

Automation saves time, reduces manual errors, and ensures up-to-date information flow between platforms. This
results in improved productivity and better-informed decision-making within your team.