ForumsSearch
Search results for "Posted by johnprince2112"
| Author | Message |
|---|---|
|
johnprince2112 |
Posted Oct 16, 2015 in: JP's Task Management Process with Toodledo - Part 4: Data Entry
Score: 1
Full disclosure I am no expert with Toodledo or Productivity Mgt Systems/Processes. I'm a long time consumer. It's amazing how much the Productivity tools themselves have driven processes, and as someone who has watched this discipline grow for 20+ years, the bars on both have been raised and met time and again
In my previous post (Part 2) I noted how imperative views are to me. However, to get views I want, I must use a system. Consequently, I divide my intents in to two areas: 1. I need to quickly enter information. 2. I need to quickly obtain that information in a cubed format on demand. Thus the schema in which I enter it is different than how I view it, However, my requirement for both is that I only have to make one selection to do either (other than accessing the application). This means I begin my views at the top level, and drill in to each property. DATA ENTRY --The highest level for me is based on fewest instances. So...Contexts, I only have 7 of those. I've found they work best by covering what I "do" during the day Send emails, schedule meetings, strategy and articulate said strategies in a 360 fashion, etc. --I essentially create three objects "do", "about" "with whom". Status types, Priority, etc are attributes to these objects. --I defined a the 'stuff' I do for 10 days. My goal was to come up with a streamlined approach for data entry by finding the common "DO". "ABOUT" AND "WITH WHOM" classes. Examples 1. Remind me to get with Carlton about our next OS upgrade event. 2. I have a great idea for a groovy dashboard to display during the deployment. I then matrix ed the classes as such: DO (Contexts): These are items such as send email, talk to, log ideas, inquire about, schedule meetings, etc ABOUT (Folders): These were either a project, issue with software, or development strategy idea. WITH WHOM (Tags): Mainly my colleagues, direct reports, my boss and a few of his key collegaues. Perhaps 10-15 people, total. I get a little more granular as an example folders can be 'ABOUT' a project, or 'ABOUT' and area of focus. Thus folder names would be +Project, #AOF. Tags are delineated to and I use a schema to further drill down in my views. USING THE EXAMPLES ABOVE: So, in alignment with my one press requirement: Example #1 above, I'd select "Meetings to Schedule" as the context and enter my task. Later during my review I apply additional objects, OS Upgrade folder and 'Carlton' tag. In example #2 I would use "Improvement Ideas" as the context,. When I do my daily processing I'll easily remember what the task is 'ABOUT' and apply the "Next Deployment" as the folder and no tag. Additionally, I'll apply other proprties such as Status and priority when I feel like it. The key is I can quickly enter in a way that allowse to quickly organize at a later time. DATA GLEANING In Part 4 I will discuss how I glean the data with a single press. One primer to note is I use use the three 'objects' in a different manner than how I use them for entry. Once I free'd myself from this it was eazy breazy! ;-) This message was edited Oct 16, 2015. |
|
johnprince2112 |
Thanks for the quick reply and I'm glad hear this. Apologies for the cryptic first senet,tence in my post above; iit was for something else.
I understand about the timelines..., you guys have cranked out quite a bit of quality code during the time I'vs\e been using it.. As stated I've worked in Application Development for 20+ years so have a healthy respect fror what you do,.In the event I have not mentioned this, please pass along congrats to your team: very impressive!If This message was edited Oct 10, 2015. |
|
johnprince2112 |
I had a boss once who used to brag
Three efficiency requests that I think are high-value stories: I. Customizable 'My Tasks entries NIce:=Where it curently defaults to "All Tasks, Starred, "Hotlist", it would be a nice step toward a customizable dashboard if the user could select three items that would take the place of these hard-coded onces . This would include any menu selection tiehat calls a view, including custom searches. Nicer=Use exusting real estate toto aedd five of these. Going big=Allow the user customize the entire menu. ;-)0 NOTE: The value here is efficiency. The app (for me) is about quickly selecting my key views. But views can be used as entry points also and that is imperative enter data with a single click. 2. Task name schema You guys like to provide schema's that will allow you to parse data, whiich I love. Have you thought about within Task name? Nice::Adding date/time in task name automatically assigns that as a due date. Example: Post feature request 10/9/2016. Done. This sets a due date of 10/9/2015 for the task. Nicer=Provide syntax for each property Example: Home Depot @Errands ^Fix Shower !Weekend This could set Errands, Fix Shower, and Weekend as Context, Folder, and Tag, respectivey. Going big=Create a really advancve 3. SiriI am unsure what methods you can call from Siri, or if existing one allows additional attributes, it would be great to ask her to set some detail. i.e.' Remind me: Post to, he feature requests. Context is Home, Folder is GTD' This message was edited Oct 09, 2015. |
|
johnprince2112 |
Posted Oct 03, 2015 in: JP's Task Management Process with Toodledo: Part 2 'Views'
Score: 1
Great question, and actually ask folks to challenge my system. Obviously any system is subjective to holes...I would rather know about them for I can work around it rather than find out at an improper time. To answer your questions:
1. By 'view' I mean any result set. So you have the 'canned' ones 'Starred', 'Hotlist', etc. and then you have the custom ones (Saved Searches) 2. The spaces are to delineate areas of focus. So examples below. What you cannot see is all the 'work' views are prefaced with 10 spaces. Then the 'Emails' views are prefaces with 9 spaces (and so on). **WORK** 1. Daily Planning 2, Due Today 3. Etc ***EMAILS** 1. To Send 2. To review The 'parent' views (with the ***) are a saved search in itself. In the above example, ***WORK*** contains all tasks within a work-related context. I take that view and 'drill-down' in to things I want and they become there own 'sub view' below it. ***EMAIL*** contains all tasks associated with emails (I use a #Emails) folder to bucket that area of focus and during process I define if need to create or review (via tags). As for orphaned tasks...that is a great question. Later today when I publish my daily process, I'll go in to some detail how I employ checks and balances to give me confidence in everything.. This message was edited Oct 03, 2015. |
|
johnprince2112 |
Posted Oct 03, 2015 in: JP's Task Management Process with Toodledo: Part 2 'Views'
Score: 1
One additional note here:
I'm reconciling the use of my views against what I logged while not having them. My intent there is to further stack rank them for a virtual 'dashboard of my top 2-3 KPIs. Jake, have you guys ever considered a dashboard with this? I hope your entire team slowly rubs their hands together in eagerness when this is mentioned as there is some stout potential IMO. Additionally, let's be candid--it sells. A guy wants to roll it out to his team and needs to give his boss a quick demo, pretty colors and big buttons will grab the boss attention while he gets beaten down with intense customization features in genera: : 'Approved!' ;-) Seriously, is itton your roadmap? Obviously the web app is where it would shine, but even on the mobile side having an opton to create a row that contains three views "saved or canned'. User can toggle among them at will. What you guys have is very nice, and I like the new interface design...this seems in line with that. This message was edited Oct 03, 2015. |
|
johnprince2112 |
Posted Oct 03, 2015 in: Completed tasks losing properties
Score: 0
Very nice, Much appreciated! ;-) Do you know about other properties (off hand) and if they are retained? From a UI standpoint I'm sure I'll experience it, but wondering if there is some form of business logic here I'm missing. i.e. Why would Star be optional? I'm sure there is a reason just wanting to ensure I consider it.
This message was edited Oct 03, 2015. |
|
johnprince2112 |
Posted Oct 03, 2015 in: How to record it when I fail in a task
Score: 0
Are the dates for prioritization or for actual "someone will inquire about this ON this date, and potentially inquire between now and then, so that is my mileston...meet that date!"
From an application view-point, having an option to snooze missed due dates to a 'current date' due date field solves this....but one does not exist. Check out that Star if you have not. Stack rank the rest based on a myriad of properties...some due dates, some not. I understand your dillema. This system is not well-defined for that, IMO at least. So when using this app I've found keeping a state-based approach more efficient. I hope that helps some. This message was edited Oct 03, 2015. |
|
johnprince2112 |
Posted Oct 03, 2015 in: JP's Task Management Process with Toodledo: Part 2 'Views'
Score: 1
Hi all, I'm long-winded so will try to make this easy to parse. ;-)
Quick facts: I'm finishing up my first year with the app so I'm cutting my teeth, which is great. I want to ensure I adopt best practices that is the key to being successful with most anything, IMO.One of specifics I enjoy most about Toodledo is the support community. There seem to be a lot of 'raving fans' and I'm definitely one. As mentioned in Part one of 'my process' the my intent with Toodledo is about one thing: views. That is what I want. Give me what I need to see, nothing more/nothing less, when I need/desire to see it, and I will take it from there. The 'Search' feature has been my favorite library within the app. I'm a data guy so used to just opening Query Analyzer and grabbing what I want and typically always ask for raw data so I can build my own reporting structure...but not needed here. Man, this team has some attentional to detail. There are many enhancements I'd like to see, but am rolling stock and barrel with the following. Views are tricky as I tend to have a lot, and trigger them off of events and/or manage by exception. I use the iOS and Chrome browser app 50/50. I spent a month noting what views I'd like to see, giving a single point each time I thought "that would be a great view". I tallied the points so that I could create a schema that is somewhat proactive and still reflective--progressively--throughout the day. In other words I stack ranked them. I took this data and categorized it. Thankfully the report name field allows special characters, so it's pretty easy to 'format' the menu. WIGs: If I see it in this view, I am not allowed to look at Toodledo again until I have complete the top task, it or at least put in 30 minutes on it. These tasks must have all the following: 1. Priority=Top 2. Tag=Urgent 3. Starred=True So far it's worked well. It's very rare I will spend that much time processing tasks, so if I do it's usually very important. Thus I keep the integrity of this view. It's my final-final. But... I am sometimes scared to look at that view because it it's in there it's drop everything and get busy bat signal!. ;-) Below are the top level categories. NOTE: I'm corny with a lot my report names. I figured I create them I can reference them however I want it. ;) I used a schema starting with spaces. It's clean on both the browser and iOS Thus ***WORK*** is preceded with 10 spaces. It contains all my tasks within work-specific contexts. ***Personal*** Preceded with 9 spaces, and so on... ***Meetings*** To prepare for To schedule ***EMAIL*** To send To review (this is automated) ***FAMILY TIME*** Movies to Watch (Status=Reference, Context=Family Time) Games to Play (see above) Issues to Conquer (My wife and I are very involved in our two young teenagers lives...they hate it, but we make them spit it--as we all do..Plus it primes them and keeps communication going. Ha ha)- ***TEAM*** Area of Focus=#Leadership folder Status=Waiting Resource Management ***PROJECTS*** (All projects) Work Snapshot/Waiting On Personal Snapshot/Efficient Non-Family Time **WEEKEND FUN** Get Crackin' Any jump start I can get to current or future weekend activities. Example, my son and I are planning a trip to Kyle field (Texas A&M football game) a few weeks from now. When I have an hour to spare on the weekend and feel like doing something for this cause, I select this , which will show all like projects. From there I can drill in to more granularity and report with a cubed mindset. **REVIEWS** Daily Deep-dive In all, I'm running my scene with ~15 total views, accessible any where. I'll take it! ;-) There are MANY things I'd like to see, but for now enjoying what I am currently capable of doing, ensuring I give it its due diligence. I have some key indexes in Work and Personal, and try to keep 2-3 evolving (try out) so I'm keeping up to date. Finally, I reward myself so have historically measured progress in a myriad of ways. Right now I've leveraging the habits section. I need a simplified, unbiased method for measuring my process (so essentially I'm creating a Score Card) out of habits specifically for how this process is working for me. i.e. I'm all in. You'll notice I take a drill-down approach. Meaning that it's dangerous to report off of dynamic properties (folders) so best to roll it up and then select from all folders current to the system. I do believe this team often takes a 'we know what's best for you' attitude, but this is far more desirable than a 'we know what's best for us' one. I'll look to see if there is an official 'Must Have Views' thread, but if not, I would love to read what you guys look at. How often per day? This message was edited Oct 03, 2015. |
|
johnprince2112 |
Posted Oct 02, 2015 in: Completed tasks losing properties
Score: 0
I was looking to create a view where I can audit completed tasks that are starred. For some reason I'm unable to get this: my query is:
Checked off=Yes Starred=Yes I continue to get an empty result set (and ensured I don't have filters). Do the tasks lose their properties when marked completed? I have a work-around (kind of) but for future use curious if this is known, or a defect, or....? Thanks |
|
johnprince2112 |
Is there any documentation on 'Habits' It seems very straightforward, but simply want to ensure I'm not missing something. For some reason I thought it interfaced with the Tasks module. Also, add me down for additional intervals, measurements, and we all love colorful, interactive drill-down charts where applicable. I've used Commit, Lift, Habit List (my personal favorite) so leveraging these concepts into a once-stop shop like you appear to be doing is gold!
|
|
johnprince2112 |
Posted Oct 02, 2015 in: JP's Task Management Process with Toodledo: Part 1 'Properties'
Score: 0
Posted by Salgud:
Posted by 4Boosh: I've also had trouble combo-ing work and personal systems. I WANT, in theory, to simplify and have a single system that can handle both...but in reality when I'm at work I don't want any crossover and vice a versa...I think that I just haven't fully figured out how to set up views like you have to deal with that issue. I've struggled with this issue for many years, with other task managers prior to TD and in the first year or so I used TD (about 5 yrs ago). I finally decided to use TD only for work and something else for personal, which has changed a few times, for 2 reasons: 1. I never could keep them totally separate; one was always bleeding over into the other. Particularly things like Folders and Contexts just weren't the same for both, but both appear in the same list. 2. My task management needs at work were far more complex and detailed than in my personal life. At home, all I need is reminders of errands to run, bills to pay, etc., so I now use iOS Reminders, which does that just fine. At work, I need to know who I'm doing this particular thing for (Contexts), the task Status, Priority and so forth. I need a fairly sophisticated state-based prioritization system to keep up, having to meet the needs of my boss and others every day, which can be a delicate balancing act. At home, it's entirely up to me whether I go grocery shopping before or after I mop the floors, no one else cares! :) So I'm satisfied with 2 separate apps. There's almost no time involved it learning Reminders and it does everything I need at home. OTOH, I've got years invested in TD, which serves my purpose and, mostly, keeps me on track at work. Of course, others may get TD alone to handle both, just a matter of personal preference. Absolutely....often we'll find ourselves (or at least I used to) trying to fit a round peg, could not see the trees, and would take an idiomatic approach to things. The longest I've gone with a consistent (only minor tweaks) to a task management process is ~three years. I change not because I was doing something incorrectly or my current process was not working, I like to think I became smarter. ;-) I use probably 3-5 apps for my 'To Do'. Our family uses Cozi Family Planner. I;m going to see if they are interested in consuming the Toodledo APIs, but for now my wife puts her "Honey Dos" on that app. Calendar is another issue altogether. I have a fairly large Google footprint from a personal perspective (I have a large YouTube account, forums etc) so try to completely separate that from business....and with Google there is no distinction. Thus Google is personal and everything else is bidness. ;-) I have a lot of workflows running through my mind, and many involve a calendar,so I'll post separately on that as I'm to the 'build or bu?y' stage now. Posted by 4Boosh: Wow, thanks for taking the time to write this up. It's a lot to process. I've stopped and started GTD and GTD-like methods. I use Evernote but not for task management. I also use Michael Linenberger's methodology for dealing with Outlook at work. But in recent months I've reverted back to a million scraps of paper and notes as I also incorporate more collaboration at work with new team members...so I need to rethink my systems. I've also had trouble combo-ing work and personal systems. I WANT, in theory, to simplify and have a single system that can handle both...but in reality when I'm at work I don't want any crossover and vice a versa...I think that I just haven't fully figured out how to set up views like you have to deal with that issue. Question - do you use the pro version? No problem. I've used Evernote extensively, and have been a day one 'Outlook guy'.. (Take Back Your Life is a great read!!). Many systems will 'support' most all of our processes, it's the workflow that differs...and that is my interest. I'm old, my eyesight is poor, and I fat-finger everything. So the fewest possible clicks/presses, etc is desired. I still run a series of .bat files on my laptop that executes a myriad of things based on one click so am used to being lazy like that. Ha ha Regarding the Pro version, no I am not using that. I recently acquired some new teams that are literally on each coast and strongly considered Toodldo. I had the opportunity to get funding for quite a few number of licenses...but was asked beta it with my directs (I had 6-7 of them at the time). The sticking point was the indented folders on the iOS. Because I work in app dev, my boss (CIO) is pretty particular on things such as that and in all candor was having difficulty putting together a 'case study' without that feature. To that end, I am going back to the well again in Q1 and definitely look to learn about the collaboration features. I'm being encouraged to deploy such a system, especially since I have teams literally all over the world. We will also be looking at OmniFocus and Wunderlist. I realize they have a heavier footprint (and have not engaged them yet), but it's going to be hard to pry me away from Toodledo, and I am the final decision maker on that. End-state would be 60+ resources using it, so would want to talk with Jake and his team a little about other like-organizations using it. Anyway, I am no expert in this arena at all, I just have experience throughout the years. When rethinking your system, my advice: go for broke! Simply lay out what you would like. Your dream app that does EVERYTHING for you. Then work backward. I've been reading this forum close to a year and there is a wealth of great information on it for sure! I recently started using the Habits feature. I'm unsure how to best tie it in to my overall process (I have some ideas) but look forward to learning more about that, As stated, I'll post up my custom views (searches) in a bit. I've been round and round with those and finally settled in to a system that is working great for me. This message was edited Oct 02, 2015. |
|
johnprince2112 |
Posted Oct 02, 2015 in: JP's Task Management Process with Toodledo: Part 1 'Properties'
Score: 0
Posted by Purveyor:
Posted by johnprince2112: I'll admit I was very apprehensive....AND I've only read the cliff notes to the GTD process (I understand its principals, of course). Why "of course"?Unsure if this is a question?. If it is, to elaborate, I've not sat and read the book in its entirety. I own it, and have used it as reference. So the only intel I have on the subject really comes from (aside from skimming through the book) artifacts such as http://www.43folders.com/2004/09/08/getting-started-with-getting-things-done, book summaries such as Paul Minors work, videos such as https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo7vUdKTlhk, local SIG meetings, etc. Oh, I also attended a conference where Mr Allen spoke on his process (among other things). So I'm novice at best....but don't *think* I'm completely ignorant on the concept. I'm sure there are dozens of 'nuggets' from within his I've yet to realize, but of course still think I I have at least a basic grasp of its principals. Whether I'm employing them or not is a different discussion. Feedback on this subject is always welcome (it's why I'm here)...so if there is something glaring I am missing from reading the entire book--as in I should reconsider moving forward with the task management process I've defined, certainly please let me know. Thanks for the links to thread topics. I've read the vast majority of threads concerning GTD on this forum, and still learning best practices with the application so the 'Getting Started Guide' with this application is welcome. Of course, while I'm not a power user with this application, it's not completely foreign to me. As with the GTD process itself, I simply want to expand my knowledge, keep an open mind, and of course help others if I'm in a position to.Many thanks! This message was edited Oct 02, 2015. |
|
johnprince2112 |
I have to admit, I'm converted. For many, many moons I was date-based with my prioritization. I was scared to death trying a state-based process, but you know what? It works. I am simply getting more things done and have true confidence in the approach. There is much I need to learn, but encourage any old skool, time-based guys to keep an open mind and try it. This does not eliminate due dates. I simply keep the integrity of when items are due, and thus when I get an alarm on my phone...it really means something now. Thus I am proactive with monitoring states, and reactive with dates. Have control of the former decreases apprehension of the latter.
|
|
johnprince2112 |
Posted Oct 01, 2015 in: JP's Task Management Process with Toodledo: Part 1 'Properties'
Score: 0
Thanks, I appreciate the feedback. I guess in a way its an exercise in self-indulgence as simply writing this process out helps me further clarify things. It's complex only in that I tend to be long-winded in posts such as this, but the events themselves flow smoothly through my day, so here is the key to my system, which tells me it's right for me. I have confidence in it. I'm sure a year from now it will have evolved, but everything does so for the past 10 years I've tried to embrace that as opposed with fighting it. What I'm enjoying here is a state-based system as opposed with a time-based one. I'll admit I was very apprehensive....AND I've only read the cliff notes to the GTD process (I understand its principals, of course).
As noted, I'll follow up with what it's all about for me: VIEWS. Then, I'll walk through a typical 'day' and how I am able to quickly ascertain/process the endless tasks thrown my way throughout the day, illustrating the ability to calmly press a few buttons on my phone or with a few clicks of my mouse glean the least I need to know in GSD. I am not above fitting my process in to a system, and much of what I've adopted is what I've read on here in addition to years of task management systems (back in the day I was happening with a true tickler file, graduating to a 'check list' app on my Palm Pilot, etc etc). As I've stated examples, examples, examples, I feel are gold...so good or bad, I'm sharing mine. I truly look forward to reading yours and as well as others as I'm confident I'll adopt something in my continuous improvement cycle with this. On a side note, I've stated this previously...I've been involved with application development for over 20 years. These guys have it DOWN. Of course there are many things I'd like to see, but I feel the greatness within this application. ;-) I was just about to fund my own custom task management system (as noted I work in the industry so know lots of cats I could float x dollars to who'd build me exactly what I want)...but Toodledo has answered things I didn't know I didn't know. ;-) And one other note...I'm unsure if he's published it or not, but I would LOVE to see Jake's (and/or his staff's) system they use. This message was edited Oct 01, 2015. |
|
johnprince2112 |
Posted Oct 01, 2015 in: JP's Task Management Process with Toodledo: Part 1 'Properties'
Score: 2
Hi all, I am certainly no expert but have worked wit task management process/systems for ~20 years now. I thought it would be diligent to provide how I am leveraging Toodldo. You'll see in my 'Golden Rules' (primer) section that one of them is to be open and non-fearful of tweaking the process. If I've learned one thing: try everything and do what works for you.
This is long, slapped together, and perhaps boring. But if one person can take one single nugget from it, then it's time well spent. I'm sure many of you purists can and will shoot holes in it, and that's fine. If it benefits me and allows me to be more productive, than I reap those rewards. Enjoy! Views. That is what its all about for me. Having the right view(s) at the right time(s). It took me a while to really get my arms around all of this as a context could easily be a folder, which could be a tag, which could be a status, etc. So keeping in the spirit of all I want are views, I created a hierarchy. Let me start with giving a typical task I would enter along with its properties: Task: Post my process on Toodledo forum Context: Free Time Status: Next Action Folder: GTD Process Importance: Low Starred: Yes (assuming I want to complete it today) Length: 15 min Tag: null Due Date/Time: null Due to my hectic work/family life, I would never remember to do this...until I run my daily report: 'Quick Hits', which consists of: Tasks: unchecked Length: <16 minutes Context: Free time Next, I'll walk through how I utilize each of the properties. Please keep in mind I've been using Toodledo going on a year now. I've only recently in the past few months adopted a hybrid GTD process. **Context** It took me a long time to really leverage these. I was forcing them. Finally it dawned on me. Why? Why would I ever use these? Hmm...well, it would be cool to just press a button and it tells me what I can be doing during that time. I tried time-based (early morning, before bed, etc.) but saw little value in that. So I categorized these as'periods' of my typical day. Examples: --I get in the car and I press the 'Phone' context --I'm meeting with my boss and have items to discuss with him so I use the %BossName%. --When I have a moment to conduct a review of tasks, I go to the 'Daily Review' context. MY CONTEXTS: Online Home (I work from my home office) Office (For when I'm physically in the office) Errands Chores Phone Free Time Meeting with Boss Daily Review (this is also used for weekly...just whenever I feel like reviewing) Status Types: These are my bread and butter when it comes to prioritization. I'm not a GTD purist, so forgive me if I've basterdized these, again...it's what works for me: 1. Next Action: Anything I can do...now. This can be in or out of a project. 2. Active: These are tasks that are within a project. I am free to do them, but they are not the most important task at that moment within the project. 3. Planning: Any task that has a due date associated with it. It can be in or out of a project. 4. Waiting: I use this for anything I'm waiting on, regardless if I delegated it. Should I end up using the Collaboration feature, I would use 'Delegated', but for now skirt around it with tags (see later in the 'Tags' section. 5. Someday*: Something that needs to be done, but its not on my radar 6. Reference: If it doesn't go in any of the above, it winds up here. Folders: I would love nothing more than to leverage sub-folders but due to the lack of indentation on the iOS for subfolders, I've used this approach. Folders are yet another 'bucket' of granularity. I use them in two ways, for a project (that has dependant steps, and area of focus). This also allows me to place context on a folder. Most folder names have a prefix. Inbox +project #area of focus (AOF) ^due by !Projects to create These prefixes are merely for sort order and quick reference. EXAMPLES: If I have project to create an expense report, I'll have a folder titled: +Expense Report. Within that folder I might have tasks such as: Copy Receipts Enter data into Concur Etc. #Leadership Any tasks that deal with leadership (employee reviews, roadmap items, etc) and are not within a project go in this area of focus. #Email Notes: I have an IFTTB recipe that when I forward and email to a specified address it goes in to this folder. ^Due By* This folder is for tasks that are not related to a project, staus=planning, and have a hard date associated with them. !Projects to create* Because I'm unable to quickly turn a tasks in to a project, I'll add it in this folder until I have time to create the project during my daily review. Example AOF folders I use: #Financial #GTD Process #Offshoring #Meeting Prep Tag I strongly encourage those not using tags to consider them. Again, the INTENT here is VIEWS, and this is where Tags shine, IMO. A quick example is: I ask one of my employees, Bill, for a strategy for upgrading a Windows server. I have tag called 'Bill'. When I create the task, properties are: Context: Online Home Status: Waiting Folder: +Server Upgrade Tag=Bill Importance=Med I can run a view: 'Waiting from Bill' where Status=Waiting, and Tag contains 'Bill'. Additionally, I can run a view for 'Server Upgrade Status' where Folder=+Server Upgrade, Status=All, and then sort by Status, and then Tag. This will show me a list of who is currenly working on what. Additionally, I use it for additional granularity. Let's say I want to change the kids shower head. One task in the +Change Shower Head project might be Task: Get pivot ball from home depot Context: Errands Status: Active Folder: +Change Shower Head Tag: Weekend Length: 30 min This way, Saturday morning when I wake up if I have an hour to spare, I run a view called 'Weekend Chores: Head Start' Context=Chores, Errands Status ≠ Deferred Tag=Weekend Length=<60 min Finally, I use tags for additional sense of urgency. See my 'Golden Rules' section. I also use tags for any type of many to many relationship. I just wish there was a better way to organize/maintain tags (edit/delete/re-order, etc) **DUE DATE** To-date, all task management processedd I've used have been date driven. Thus it's been a little scary using a state-driven process, but that does not eliminate the need for due dates. My rule of thumb is this: If there is a hard-line date in which the task must be complete...I assign a due date and reminder. The difference here, is this is not the driving force in how I prioritize. As an example, using the Server Upgrade. I might have a task, email customers of pending outage. We have an SLA that dictates we need to inform customers at least two days prior to the outage...thus I throw that due date on it. Easy-breazy. Length: I just started using this...why? Again, it's all about the views. Not every task has a length, but when I enter ones that I know can be completed relatively quickly, especially those indendant of projects, I employ them in views. See above as an example. Priority: I've considered using the negative priority, but have other ways to filter it. I mainly use it for High and Top priority tasks. Starred: This is simply what I want to accomplish THAT DAY. I've tried multiple methods to define current day priorities, and this is the strongest as it's quick and can be leveraged any way I desire. Essentially my 'landing' page is starred tasks. Daily Review During my reviews I check: Inbox (process accordingly) Due By folder Someday status type WIGs view (see below) !Projects to Create folder Golden Rules (primer) 1. All projects must have one 'Next Action' and one Active, Planning, or Waiting on status type. 2. I have a (WIGs) view that is: Starred=True Priority=Top Tag contains 'Urgent' Length=< 30 min When I view this, I have to accomplish the top item before doing anything else within Toodledo. I found that I will often 'play' with the system, and will disallow myself from doing anything further within Toodledo until the top item is complete. Because I don't jeopardize the integrity of these tasks, I have 2 or 3 per week (max) of these type tasks. 3. Be open and willing to change. In Part II I will outline the primary views I utilize (that' what its all about, isn't it?) In Part III I will put it all together along with a typical day and how I employ this process, defining the true Golden Rules foster with this This message was edited Oct 01, 2015. |
|
johnprince2112 |
As I settle more and more in to the GTD process, I understand why this is not a feature. I've been working with task management systems/processes for nearly 20 years, and am finding the GTD process quite interesting. I have my own process, which dictates to continuously adopt the best of all known processes. From a technical standpoint this is easy to achieve and I can still find great benefit in this feature per my process. Yes, I do utilize a 'Star' as due today, and it works great due to the ease of use and dynamic setting.
Of course, anything that MUST be done by a certain date, I guess I'm old school and like to explicitly know that for reporting and reminder purposes, which is how I leverage this property. My 'Planning' state is for items with known dependencies on date/time. As stated, it's simply a 'Next Date' snooze option. 'll post my process on the forum, and welcome best practices with this application. I'm not yet hitting my one year anniversary of it, but have been more than happy and have no plans to change. What sets Toodledo apart is its process-agnostic. In fact it's probably the greatest task management system I've used to date...although I'm going to Beta that Omni Force as well look in to getting something customized. Thanks again for the feedback, just wanted to second your suggestion on the Star for 'due today' p,.s. Jake, please implement indented sub-tasks on the iOS.. ;-) This message was edited Sep 27, 2015. |
|
johnprince2112 |
First, congrats on the new layout. It's terrific and I appreciate the fact you continue to be cutting edge. Many teams get caught up in technical debt, which is important, as is its delivery...so great job to your team!
Second, is there a reason you don't have a TIME data type in the Lists module? I'm simply wanting to create a list and sort it by time of day. I tried Date/Time, and that did not work.. Turns out there seems to be some sorting issues with the control. 'Rating' is another one. I tried a few as '1st Sort' but Nada. Is this a known defect or should I open a ticket where I can add required detail? Thanks This message was edited Sep 27, 2015. |
|
johnprince2112 |
Posted Sep 13, 2015 in: Most requested Feaures
Score: 0
Jake, back in the day when I had Product Management in my org, we were tenacious about sharing many of the contents within out road map. While I understand this is something you are not comfortable doing, could you provide the top 2-3 things that have been requested still not implemented? The disclaimer that it's not nor might not ever be on your road map is clearly understood. Instead I want to known what people are asking for.
I'd think Indented Subtask on iOS us #1m but who knows? unfortunately I was unable to roll it out within my ORG (~40 resources) due to this...I will be trying again in Q1. Meanwile I've changed my process to account for it, however, many folks are not so willing. I've seen some posts regarding a Kanban view, which I would pay $50 per month just for that alone!! Regardless, I would love to read the most commonly requested feature(s)...from you or anyone. My assumption is these forums are for this type of dialogue, no? Thanks |
|
johnprince2112 |
Posted Sep 13, 2015 in: iOS 8 notification center widget preferences
Score: 0
Please add me as one more user who would love to have the ability to customize this. .
|
|
johnprince2112 |
I have an @Chores context. I found that the utilization of tags is great here, as I have found I can break it down in to 'types' of chores in addition to length. Thus it might look like this:
Inbox: Hang new speed bag (my son is a boxer) When I process: Context=@Chores Folder=Actions Tag=Weekend, Boxing Where this helps is I have specific views for chores on the weekend (due to time constraints) vs those I can do at any time. |