www.entrepreneur.com: For people who are addicted to project management software and tools, there has never been a better time to be alive.
Task management apps, bullet journals, simple lists, Getting Things Done—busy entrepreneurs have a wealth of options from which to choose.
However, one of the foundational questions you’ll need to answer for yourself first is this: “Analog or digital?”
9 comments:
I am obsessed with the discussion of analogue versus digital in terms of task management. I’ve always been pretty opposed to digital methods, but I also have starts doing a mixture of both analogue and digital and that has been the most effective method for me personally. I understand that the digital approach wins for its sheer efficiency. The ability to copy and paste text, easily check of completed tasks and drag and drop things from place to place makes digital appear superior. However, this article does point out the reason why I like analogue more. Productivity comes from the ability to write things down. When I’ve written it down, I feel like I’ve made more of a commitment to the completion of a task. I don’t feel that as strongly in digital. I also love how analog tools let you exercise your creativity to a greater degree. I think that creativity has died to an extent with the world of digital.
In terms of organizing my own personal to-do list I never managed to make software stick for me and always defaulted to pencil and paper, but as soon as I started project managing I ended up switching to software. Software makes it much easier for me to track multiple projects at once without needing a bunch of different lists. I’m able to sort tasks easily, set reminders for myself and I can link to to my phone, which prevents me from either needing to make sure I always have my notebook on me in case someone catches me in the hall or risk forgetting to do an action item that comes out of an unexpected discussion. I definitely agree with this article, software vs analog and what kind of software definitely depends on what kind of person you are, and I think also what kind of project you are working on. Some processes will be best supported by different types of tools.
This article pins down a few things I have been ruminating on for a number of years now. I have come to the conclusion that I can wrap my head around things much more readily if I sketch them out or write them down. Even so, I generally can not seem to rely on myself to keep track of longer-term projects and objectives on paper. The best strategy for me is to sketch out a list or a plan, then transfer it to a digital format. I have started exploring software and websites that are specifically geared towards project management, but most of what I have encountered has a pretty high base level of complexity that is a bit beyond me. The main trouble, in the end, is that whatever system you use has to be easy to access and interface with whatever systems the people you work with use.
I couldn't agree more that the key to using project management techniques is being consistent and modifying your system to work for you. I have always been a list person, and I agree that in my experience writing things down is always better for being able to remember the task. About a year ago a realized I was running into the problem Chase described also having: tracking overlapping projects and deadlines that are further away. I realized my little pocket notebook was not conducive for that, and so since the new year, I have moved over to a bullet-journal-type planner, which has been much more successful. What I like about this article is that it also advocates for a hybrid of both analog and digital. I know I can not handle a digital planner or task organizer, but my planner no longer fits in my pocket. I use my phone to write down notes I will need to put in my planner later, and to set buzzing reminders about time sensitive tasks. Most articles I read on here promote only digital project management.
I’ve often thought about taking all my organization strategies into the digital realm, but there is something about analog that I find more satisfying. There is nothing like physically checking off a box when something is complete. Yet in the digital age, online forms are sometimes more beneficial in regard to communication among various groups. Standardized excel and word documents have become the norm. I like how CMU utilizes a hybrid system when it comes to project management and stage/production management by having the visible project checklists in the shop, and the paper sign in sheets and call schedules on the bulletin boards by the performance and rehearsal spaces. This in conjunction with the production website provides solid tools for the entire team to stay on track. That being said, I think this article’s author does a great job at pointing out how pen and paper can help one develop a more creative thought process that stimulates brainstorming.
This article definitely has a pull towards the digital side of project and task management while also highlighting the benefits of analog systems, and all the arguments culminated definitely back my mindset that there is benefit to having a combination of both digital and analog project management systems. I personally find myself keeping written to do lists that help me track what I need to do immediately each day while keeping more long term goals on a digital calendar, due to the flexibility that that provides me. Consistency is definitely key in whatever method chosen, because jumping around or reorganizing frequently will get you behind quickly, which I have done many times before and then find myself reverting to less beneficial time management habits. I think it is interesting to hear how different people choose to work, and ultimately the idea that there is just one way to manage your life is false, because everyone has an individually unique way of working that provides themselves with maximum productivity- digital or analog (or a combination of) included.
This article is exactly what it says it is a comparison of the old and newer ways for project management and management in general. This biggest thing to take from this article is that no matter what method you use it needs to be the one that you are most comfortable with and understand the best for your needs no matter what. Most people today I feel find that finding a combination of techniques and ideas is what works best for them and their team. I sit as one of the few people that keep all of my stuff digitally rather then a combination or just analog. I personally just find that keeping everything the same and in as many places at once is what is most effective for me in my work habits. Keeping to this system and making sure that it is kept up still uniquely suited for how I best like to look at my work.
I always like to read these kinds of articles to hear what kind of arguments are out there and to know what is germane, but it always comes down to personal preference (what are you using it for, how much energy do you have to put into it, what is most accessible and comfortable for you, etc.). I really like how this article called out being consistent as one of the most important parts of implementing any management software. I also found myself in agreement that a mix is really what works best for me. Personally, things that will come up further down the line are much better managed for me on the computer, but day to day kinds of stuff do better in my notebook. To be honest, most of the systems I have found trying out have been more or less successful, it just took me a while to land on one to be consistent with because the biggest hindrance for me was when I was putting a ton of time and energy into reorganizing constantly.
I really enjoyed this article and the way it looked at analog vs digital time management in a way that wasn’t meant to paint one as better than the other. Usually the argument goes either that “digital is lazy and analog is better and more ‘real’” or “analog is slow and inaccurate and digital is fast and flexible”. I liked how the article framed the conversation as more ‘whichever works for you and how your mind keeps track of information’. At the start of each school year, I tell myself that this is the year I’m finally going to keep up a paper planner and whiteboard calendar- and then within 2 weeks both of those things are totally forgotten and I’ve switched back to digital. For me, the flexibility and connectedness of keeping track of my time online makes it much easier for me to keep track of responsibilities, but I have friends who swear by their bullet journals and paper schedules. It’s definitely a matter of how you learn best and how your brain organizes information. I especially liked the section where they mentioned task-based vs big picture organization- reading that helped me realize why having a bullet point to-do list always open on my computer helps me so much more than trying to map out everything in terms of time.
Post a Comment