---
title: Tasking Manager User Manual
tags:
    - User Manual
    - External
    - User
---

## Tasking Manager User Manual

This user manual explains how to use the [OSM US Tasking Manager](https://tasks.openstreetmap.us/) platform.

_For a list of all guides on the TCAT Wiki, refer to the [Guides List](../../../guides-list/index.md)._{ .guides-list-ref }

---

### Core Concepts

#### Tasking Manager Group Types

- **User:** An OSM user that has logged into the Tasking Manager at least once
    - Ex: _UW Amy Bordenave_
- **Project:** A small area of the world that has been defined as needing mapping. Created and maintained by an organization manager
    - Ex: _#1234 - Downtown, Seattle, WA, US: Pedestrian Infrastructure | #OpenSidewalks_
- **Categories:** 'Labels' manually assigned to a project by the project creator based on its focus, e.g. 'disaster response' or 'pedestrian infrastructure'
- **Campaigns:** Groups of projects which are closely related (e.g. Myanmar Earthquake 2025 campaign - which contains dozens of projects related to that particular disaster response)
- **Teams:** Groups of OSM users created by organization managers and given varying access permissions to projects (e.g. permission to validate a project)
- **Organizations:** Groups of projects and teams created by organization managers. E.g. Organization MSF, which has hundreds of MSF projects and has also created the MSF Validation Team

### Structure of TCAT/OSW on the OSM US Tasking Manager

#### Organization

##### OpenSidewalks

- **Link:** [https://tasks.openstreetmap.us/organisations/8/](https://tasks.openstreetmap.us/organisations/8/)
- **Description:** OpenSidewalks (OSW) is an initiative led by the Taskar Center for Accessible Technology (TCAT) at the University of Washington (UW), which seeks to provide a specification that is not only compatible with OpenStreetMap but is a comprehensive and accessibility-forward specification for mapping sidewalks and related pedestrian infrastructure features.

#### Teams

##### OpenSidewalks - Project Managers

- **Link:** [https://tasks.openstreetmap.us/teams/25/membership/](https://tasks.openstreetmap.us/teams/25/membership/)
- **Description:** OpenSidewalks - Project Managers: This invite-only team is for project managers who help organize and facilitate projects focused on mapping of pedestrian infrastructure in OSM.
- **Join method:** By invite

##### OpenSidewalks - Validators

- **Link:** [https://tasks.openstreetmap.us/teams/26/membership/](https://tasks.openstreetmap.us/teams/26/membership/)
- **Description:** OpenSidewalks - Validators: This team can be joined by request by experienced mappers who would like to join and help us validate others' mapping of pedestrian infrastructure in OSM!
- **Join method:** By request

##### OpenSidewalks - Mappers

- **Link:** [https://tasks.openstreetmap.us/teams/27/membership/](https://tasks.openstreetmap.us/teams/27/membership/)
- **Description:** OpenSidewalks - Mappers: This team is open to anyone and everyone who would like to join and help us map pedestrian infrastructure in OSM!
- **Join method:** Anyone can join