What’s the Pomdoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique® is a time management method, which provides a simple tool/process for improving productivity (your own and that of your team).
Basics
The basic unit of work in the Pomodoro Technique® can be split in 4 simple steps with PomodoroApp, software for pomodoro technique®.
- Choose a task to be accomplished
- Start the Pomodoro timer(25 minutes)
- Work on the task until the Pomodoro rings
- Take a short break (5 minutes)
Keep on working, Pomodoro after Pomodoro, until the task at hand is finished, mark it as completed, and select another one to start. Every 4 Pomodoros take a longer break, 15–30 minutes.
The basic iteration of the Pomodoro Technique® is one day. It’s essential to understand that the cycle of one day is: plan-track-learn.
- Plan: Decide today’s tasks.
- Track: Complete a pomodoro, log unplanned and urgent tasks.
- Learn: Analyze the tracked pomodoros, understanding and clarifies paths to improvement.
Pomodoro Technique® Illustration
Rules and Tips
- A Pomodoro is indivisible
- If a task takes more than 5–7 Pomodoros, break it down
- If it takes less than one pomodoro, add it up, and combine it with another task
- Once a Pomodoro begins, it has to ring
- Pomodoro Technique® shouldn’t be used for activities you do in your free time. Enjoy free time!
Interruptions
Once you’ve started using the Pomodoro Technique®, interruptions can become a real problem.
Internal interruptions: distractions that come from you: stand up and get something to eat or drink or to look up something on the Internet this minute.
External interruptions: a colleague asks you how to compile a report; an email program constantly beeps every time a new message comes in. A 25-minute or 2-hour delay (four Pomodoros) is almost always possible for activities that are commonly considered urgent.
Whenever an interruption come in, log it in PomodoroApp, and it will track the interruptions for you for later processing, and also track the count of interruptions during one task/activity.
Pomodoro Technique® Interruption Illustration
The Pomodoro Technique® Resources
http://www.pomodorotechnique.com
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