So what do I mean by zones, well, one could be work zones, say I know there is this Goblin village and I want to limit how far my Hearthlings will go for this and that? Then I simply drag out a work zone, say if I want to have farms working in different fields? Then come in farm work zone one, farm work zone two, with allocated people in the group much like the defense / attack party system.
This could also allow for some ways of pathing control for guards / archers (When they come, MAN THE WALLS!)