Discussion Forum > Commitments / Feeder Lists
Christopher:
I suggest you read my answers in the current thread "How to Handle Reminders in No List Systems". What I say about clients can equally well be applied to commitments.
I suggest you read my answers in the current thread "How to Handle Reminders in No List Systems". What I say about clients can equally well be applied to commitments.
July 24, 2016 at 23:55 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Christopher wrote:
<< How would working with a commitments list and a no-list system together work? In terms of when specifically would I take a look at the commitments list, if filling in tasks into the no-list system is to be done out of my mind? >>
I struggled with this question, too, and found some things that work for me.
My commitments are tracked in several different places. For example, I work with a Scrum team on a software development project. We follow the Scrum methodology, so our team commitments are spelled out very clearly: we have a specific list of work items that must be completed in our current sprint. So, as part of my daily routine, I check the sprint status every day and see how things are tracking, and see if I have any specific work items that need to be addressed. We also discuss this in our daily standup meeting: what did we get done, what are we working on now, and what are the blocking issues. This is part of the structure and routine of my day. When I am sitting at my desk and ready to work, the work that needs to be done naturally comes to mind, because it's fresh from these daily reviews and meetings. If I have a nagging feeling that I need to do something, but can't remember exaclty what I am supposed to do, then I put "Rally" on my no-list (Rally is the system we are using to track all our work items for this project). And I go look at Rally. From this review, I see what I need to do, so I write those things on my no-list: "Get the issue resolved with XYZ" or whatever. And I go work on that. Generally, once I get going, I just "follow the work", pausing to think and reflect about what needs to happen next, and if I need to, I just go back and look at Rally.
Another (maybe obvious) example is my calendar. It's full of the commitments I've made in the form of agreeing to meet with other people. I review it in the morning (as part of my daily routine), and make note of any final preparations I need to make. Those things go on my no-list. When the time for the meeting arrives, that pops up in Outlook and on my phone, and I attend the meeting. No need to write that on the no-list. As the meeting progresses, I capture notes and action items, and store them in OneNote. When I have free time, those action items often come to mind by themselves, so I write them on my no-list, and get them done, referring back to my notes as needed. I also review all outstanding meeting notes as part of my daily routine, and if I see any action items that need done, I put them on my no-list and get them done.
Anyway, the pattern here is:
- I have other systems for handling the details of these commitments (calendar, OneNote, Rally, etc.)
- Reviewing those systems is part of my daily routines and checklists
- Often the work comes to mind by itself (goes straight onto the no-list). Or nagging feelings prompt me to review those systems ("review system" goes onto the no-list). The daily routines ensure that they don't get missed.
- Most things just get done by following the natural course of the work (by working in no-list mode)
I hope that gives you some ideas.
<< How would working with a commitments list and a no-list system together work? In terms of when specifically would I take a look at the commitments list, if filling in tasks into the no-list system is to be done out of my mind? >>
I struggled with this question, too, and found some things that work for me.
My commitments are tracked in several different places. For example, I work with a Scrum team on a software development project. We follow the Scrum methodology, so our team commitments are spelled out very clearly: we have a specific list of work items that must be completed in our current sprint. So, as part of my daily routine, I check the sprint status every day and see how things are tracking, and see if I have any specific work items that need to be addressed. We also discuss this in our daily standup meeting: what did we get done, what are we working on now, and what are the blocking issues. This is part of the structure and routine of my day. When I am sitting at my desk and ready to work, the work that needs to be done naturally comes to mind, because it's fresh from these daily reviews and meetings. If I have a nagging feeling that I need to do something, but can't remember exaclty what I am supposed to do, then I put "Rally" on my no-list (Rally is the system we are using to track all our work items for this project). And I go look at Rally. From this review, I see what I need to do, so I write those things on my no-list: "Get the issue resolved with XYZ" or whatever. And I go work on that. Generally, once I get going, I just "follow the work", pausing to think and reflect about what needs to happen next, and if I need to, I just go back and look at Rally.
Another (maybe obvious) example is my calendar. It's full of the commitments I've made in the form of agreeing to meet with other people. I review it in the morning (as part of my daily routine), and make note of any final preparations I need to make. Those things go on my no-list. When the time for the meeting arrives, that pops up in Outlook and on my phone, and I attend the meeting. No need to write that on the no-list. As the meeting progresses, I capture notes and action items, and store them in OneNote. When I have free time, those action items often come to mind by themselves, so I write them on my no-list, and get them done, referring back to my notes as needed. I also review all outstanding meeting notes as part of my daily routine, and if I see any action items that need done, I put them on my no-list and get them done.
Anyway, the pattern here is:
- I have other systems for handling the details of these commitments (calendar, OneNote, Rally, etc.)
- Reviewing those systems is part of my daily routines and checklists
- Often the work comes to mind by itself (goes straight onto the no-list). Or nagging feelings prompt me to review those systems ("review system" goes onto the no-list). The daily routines ensure that they don't get missed.
- Most things just get done by following the natural course of the work (by working in no-list mode)
I hope that gives you some ideas.
July 26, 2016 at 22:02 |
Seraphim
Seraphim
Later, during the course of publishing one of the best book on time management "Secrets of Productive People" by Mark Forster there was talk about a list of commitments, that is how it was called in the book, or a list of authorized projects, that's how it was called sometimes on this forum.
The idea was that you would only be allowed to work on projects that are on that list, using your no-list system.
Now my question is what specifically is the difference between the two types of list ("feeder" and "commitments")?
My second question is, how would working with a commitments list and a no-list system together work? In terms of when specifically would I take a look at the commitments list, if filling in tasks into the no-list system is to be done out of my mind?