Retrospective aspects of GTD

[Simon]

I have been using GTD for a while now and it has undoubtedly helped me
get more organised. However one thing that I am starting to notice is
that GTD doesn't automatically provide a framework for re-visiting
tasks that one has worked on in the past. Here is an example:

I have been doing a number of reports for our Business Unit these last
few months. GTD has really helped make sure I capture all the requests
I have had and the amendment requests for subtle alterations etc.
However, I have now started to go back to some of the earlier spins of
the report and I have a big pool of spreadsheets that I created on the
way to getting out the reports. Because these are in my PC directories
and not in my outlook (where my GTD add-in is), they are not
associated in any obvious way with the tasks. If I saved all the
spreadsheets as part of the outlook gtd task, my IT folks would not be
happy as it would bloat my mailbox fairly quickly. Consequently I feel
the only way I could do this is to document in the task 'notes' area
the names of the files alongside a narrative of why I created it and
how etc

So, I am interested to know if anyone has faced this issue and come up
with a workable process of linking the GTD world with the actual tasks
carried out and their related data?

[Mike De Bruyn]

On Tue, Jun 10, 2008 at 3:34 AM, Simon <simon....@btinternet.com> wrote:

> I have been using GTD for a while now and it has undoubtedly helped me
> get more organised. However one thing that I am starting to notice is
> that GTD doesn't automatically provide a framework for re-visiting
> tasks that one has worked on in the past. Here is an example:

<snip>

> So, I am interested to know if anyone has faced this issue and come up
> with a workable process of linking the GTD world with the actual tasks
> carried out and their related data?

I'm not sure I see the point in "linking" quantities of data to
projects. I handle it by a file notes about how I did things in the
past. If I need a sample it is easy to slip in a sample print out or
photocopy or something. Such a file helps others take over for you
when you are on vacation or move to a new department or some such.

--
Cheers,
Mike

[Jim Barrows]

The problem is the tool, not the process.  You should be able to keep all of those things together online.  Unfortunately LookOut pretty much sucks. 

In the meantime... I have a folder for each project.  If a project "crosses folders"  (ie.. I have a folder for the house I'm buying and each party involved, agent, mortgage broker, seller etc) I have a note in the front detailing who all is involved, and what folders/other projects.  In your case I would do something like:
Project A - Version 1.0, Project A - Version 2.0.  You can even do this with directory structure on your hard drive.  Then in each task reference the folder number.  When I reference something external to my task management system I use [] to indicate on my computer and () for physical.  You can use whatever system you want.

--
James A Barrows

[Jim Barrows]

Oh, and speaking of houses, and real estate.... a tip I got from an investor is that you don't file 123 Main St as 123 Main street.  File it as Main St., 123  That way, you don't have a bunch of numbers, and you have all your real estate on the same street, in the same place.
Also, if you're keeping things on your hard drive, remember the computer doesn't file things in dictionary sort order in most cases, so try and label things in computer sort order.  It's easier.

--
James A Barrows