My desperate search for a solution that may not exist...
I don't know that I can truly describe the amount of time and effort I've put into this effort, but I've yet to surrender to the fact that there isn't some solution out there that I just haven't been able to identify.
At the highest level, I'm seeking a task manager application that integrates closely with notes, attachments, and linked items. I work primarily in a Mac environment, so MacOS/iOS compatibility is a must.
To elaborate a bit on the hangup I keep hitting, what I would like to do is easily create links/relationshis between my tasks/projects and other, existing items such as:
* Apple Calendar events
* Canvas-style notes
* Email messages/converstaion threads
* Other communications (verbal, texts, etc)
* Documents/links
I've established countless setups using various apps, but everyone has frustratingly fallen short on at least one component. The objective I'm looking to achieve is being able to select a task or project and have a single "bucket" of notes and linked resources related to it. It's not the "fill out this form" tasks that are problematic; it's the complex tasks like "Replace computers at location X", which at any point in time may require references to email conversations, shipment tracking, invoice/payment follow-ups, installation dates, etc. Ideally, in my example, I would be able to easily drag-and-drop items from their respective apps (mail client, sharepoint, calendar, MS Teams, messages, file manager, etc.) to the task to create a visual reference with a backlink to the source item.
Currently, I am using GoodTask, which layers on top of Apple reminders, as a task manager, and it is AWESOME is almost every regard except having any kind of robust notes/attachments for to-do items. As a workaround, I've created automation using Apple shortcuts that allows me to create both a new task (reminder) and an Apple note with a single click. The script automates the creation of a link to the created apple note within the task item, but not the inverse (linking TO the task FROM the note remains a manual process). While this is by far the closest I've come to the "unicorn" solution I'm seeking, its achilles heel is that Apple notes just absolutely sucks. Its only redeeming feature is the ability to easily link to most items with backlinks, but I'm finding that does not fully compensate for the restrictive, single-column format and very poor tagging functionality.
The "runner-up" solution that gave me some hope for a while was using Zengobi Curio as the related "info bucket" for tasks. Curio is an incredibly impressive product; it exceeded any expectations I had for a customized note taking/ canvas app (better than OneNote/Evernote/Obsidian in my opinion), but its killer flaw is that it operates exclusively within macOS (no mobile/web app or cross-platform option at all). Similarly, I've found alternative task managers (namely OmniFocus) that are fantastic and check all boxes other than the robust note/attachment/link features.
Thus far, each of these pseudo-solutions has ultimately led me back to scenarios in which I'm either spending an unreasonable amount of time/effort in creating item relations manually, or in which I'm locked into a format that limits my ability to view related items to when I'm using my Mac exclusively.
I'm wondering [hoping] that someone may be able to offer any suggestions of any app/platform out there that may be capable of what I'm looking for. While my exhaustive search does not leave me very optimistic that it exists, I welcome (and sincerely appreciate) any suggestions!