here’s a link to some more task boards - this might help you in designing your own: http://www.mountaingoatsoftware.com/task_boards

I was using GTD with a computer program, but also have found that typing and reorganizing on the computer is too easy and just sort of blends into all the background noise that I’m good a shutting out, instead becoming large in my conscious planning and concentration, does this make sense?

I have had the idea that since I plan complicated quilts and designs on the wall, that this method should also work well for me to sort of visually “design my life” but so far the pin board above my desk has been neglected. I’m excited to try this process you’ve described of moving the cards across the board, but not sure I understand all of your method. Wish I could see the board a little bigger, but then I’ll probably have to come up with my own version eventually.

John - Some people like those solutions - being online all the time. Not me - no mobile devices here except a 5 year old cell phone and I plan on keeping it that way. I find being connected all the time to be a huge distraction that I work on avoiding - not finding more reasons to make it a necessity. So with paper and pencil I’m ultimately portable!

Sarah - Yep - definitely!

Tina - Yep - lots of software options to track taskboards for scrum. I’m not fond of doing things this way but definitely many people are. I hope you find an app that works for mac!

1) Well - what you say is not exactly true. These are more like stories where all tasks that I could do are blocked awaiting some external event to happen. Eventually I will just include them in my current sprint knowing the story points for that sprint are actually 0. My plan is to add another state for tasks - which is blocked. That will fit them in better. I first need a bigger house!

2 & 5) I wrote about done a while back. The post is here: http://blog.lisacall.com/2008/08/what-does-done-mean.html. So yes - very important. In art, my projects are so varied a single definition doesn’t suffice - so I define it with my acceptance criteria instead. I am doing 1 month sprints - kind of. As you noted there are no estimates - that’s coming soon as this is a work in progress and I don’t want to bring art production to a halt to implement scrum. Once estimates are added and my home remodel is over and my life is back to a normal pace I’ll worry about doing more regular sprints. In the mean time I’m just testing it out and not worrying so much about it. The next 5 months I have no idea what will happen as my house becomes a construction site so I’m looking to remain open and flexible and not get all stressed out if I don’t get things completed.

3) I have the highest priority stories at the top - so same thing - just different orientation as what you suggest. The stories at the top are getting completed first. I should have mentioned this in the post!

4) Post it notes don’t stick to flannel - which is what this board is made out of (over a layer of styrofaom). Typical design wall for a textile artist. When I have an office I will reevaluate what to use - probably something similar cause I’m a big fan of pins.

The advantages of an online system are 1) organization and simple reorganization, e.g. switching from a view of all tasks in a specific project, to looking at tasks in context (when and where you can get them done) to chronological order by due or other date, to a view of only the next tasks that need to be done to further each project. 2) and this is the most important to me, having your lists with you wherever you are, at work, at home and even on the go, and 3) sharing your lists with others is much easier done electronically.

Just some thoughts to consider. I use an application that provides all of this while allowing me to view my entire GTD at work on my Win machine, at home on my Macs and even on my cell phone. And another app lets me call in tasks to my GTD without any writing or typing, great for those thoughts that hit me while driving. I’ve written about my experiences with GTD in a blog post at http://johnkendrick.wordpress.com/2008/03/27/more-getting-things-done/ John

If you ever consider a web-app, you can use this:

http://www.Gtdagenda.com

You can use it to manage your goals, projects and tasks, set next actions and contexts, use checklists, schedules and a calendar.
A mobile version and iCal are available too.