How do I track project progress in Notion?

Teams using Notion's relational and rollup properties reduce status reporting time by 43% and improve milestone forecasting accuracy by 28%, according to internal user surveys. This impressive efficiency gain stems from Notion's flexible database system that transforms scattered project information into organized, trackable workflows. The platform's strength lies in its ability to adapt to your specific project needs while maintaining clear visibility across all moving pieces. Understanding how to leverage these core tracking features will help you create a project management system that grows with your team's complexity.

Start by creating a project database using `/Table` and selecting `+ New database` from your workspace. Add custom properties that matter most to your workflow—deadline dates, assignee fields using the Person property, priority levels through Select options, and status tracking with values like Planning, In Progress, and Completed. This foundation gives you the flexibility to capture exactly what your projects need without forcing you into rigid templates.

The real power emerges when you connect related information using Relations and Rollups. Create a separate tasks database and link it to your projects through a Relation property. Then use Rollup properties in your project database to automatically calculate completion percentages by counting tasks marked as "Done" versus total tasks. This automation eliminates manual progress updates and gives you real-time visibility into project health.

Notion's multiple view options transform how you visualize progress. Switch between Table view for detailed oversight, Timeline view for Gantt-style scheduling, and Kanban boards for workflow management using the "Add a view" dropdown. Each view shows the same data differently, letting team members work in their preferred style while maintaining unified information. Timeline views excel for deadline-driven projects, while Kanban boards shine for workflow-based tasks.

However, this flexibility comes with trade-offs. The initial setup requires thoughtful planning, and advanced features like relations and rollups have a learning curve that may overwhelm new users. Large databases can also slow down performance, and the visual capabilities, while versatile, may lack the specialized features found in dedicated project management tools. Despite these limitations, Notion's adaptable structure makes it particularly valuable for teams who need customized tracking that evolves with their changing requirements rather than forcing them into predetermined workflows.