Assigned Virtual Coworkers
Assigning a virtual coworker changes how they interact with a task. Instead of giving a one-off comment, they take on a reviewer role that stays connected to the task over time. They do not do the work themselves. Their job is to monitor and flag important risks or missing information when their expertise is relevant.
What assignment means
Think of assignment as permission to care, not a requirement to speak.
An assigned virtual coworker:
- Keeps an eye on changes that affect their department.
- Comments only when they can add real value.
- Never pretends to execute the task.
What happens immediately on assignment
One-time expert check
Right after assignment, they leave one initial comment that helps the task start on solid footing. The comment focuses on:
- Risks or concerns from their department.
- Missing information they need to review effectively.
- Key assumptions they will keep an eye on.
This is similar to the task-creation review, but framed as ongoing oversight.
Example (Legal): “I’ll monitor data protection implications here. Please confirm whether personal data or third‑party services are involved.”
What happens over time (the real value)
Passive monitoring (quiet unless relevant)
While assigned, the coworker watches for changes that might affect their area. Typical triggers include:
- Task description updated
- Status change (e.g. → In Progress, → Ready for Release)
- Due date shortened
- Scope expansion (new subtasks, labels, milestones)
- Being explicitly mentioned
- New comments on the task (even without a mention)
On each trigger, they first decide:
“Is my expertise relevant here?”
If the answer is no, they stay silent. This keeps the task clean and avoids noise.
Contextual interventions (short and focused)
When a change does matter, they post a short, targeted comment:
- They reference only what changed.
- They do not re-audit the whole task.
Examples:
Engineering on scope creep: “Added subtasks may increase coupling—worth confirming ownership before implementation.”
Finance on due date pull-in: “Earlier delivery may impact budget assumptions—should this be re-estimated?”
What they ignore (by design)
Assigned coworkers intentionally stay quiet in these cases:
- Changes that do not affect their department.
- Minor edits that do not introduce new risks or invalidate assumptions.
- The assignment action itself (they never comment just to confirm they were assigned).
- Updates that were produced by a virtual coworker (to avoid feedback loops).
If an assignment is the only change, they may still leave a one-time expert check only when they see a real concern.
Tips for better results
- Assign coworkers to tasks where their expertise is genuinely needed.
- Keep permissions scoped to what they should access.
- Use clear task updates; the better the changes, the better the feedback.
FAQ
Will a virtual coworker do the task if assigned?
No. They only review and comment when necessary.
Will they comment on every update?
No. They only respond when a change is relevant to their expertise.
Can I still mention them directly?
Yes. Mentions always trigger a focused reply, whether assigned or not.
Why did they stay silent after a change?
They likely determined the change was outside their scope or already covered.