next actions for a particular project

O

oneduffer

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Hi, I have a few questions about projects:
While planning a particular project, I assume that I may come up with a sequence of next actions, right? Would that sequence of next actions be filed under support materials? Then, I may only pull 1 next action from that sequence and add it to my "next action" list, right? thanks in advance for sharing your experiences.
 
oneduffer;86709 said:
Hi, I have a few questions about projects:
While planning a particular project, I assume that I may come up with a sequence of next actions, right? Would that sequence of next actions be filed under support materials? Then, I may only pull 1 next action from that sequence and add it to my "next action" list, right? thanks in advance for sharing your experiences.
Click to expand...

Short answer:
You might have an outline, some text notes, a mindmap, whatever. You might or might not have a sequence planned. You might not have a plan at all. You can put as many independent next actions from a given project on next action lists as you think you want to handle. You should not put tasks that depend on something else on your next action lists, because you can't do them yet. At weekly review, try to make sure each project has at least one next action. It's not a rigid process unless you want to make it so.
 
I usually put a very detailed next action (or a few next actions if they are independent) to my next actions list and a plan in a form of high level steps into project support materials.
 
Depending on your tool it seems to be personal preference. I like to plan out the sequences in Word in my file which follows the natural planning model, and my list only contains the next actions. After finishing a next action, you put another one in.
It avoids cluttering your list with things that aren't next actions.
 
sort of getting it

thanks for your ideas, I think I just need to jump in and try something. I have a bunch of projects identified, but since I'm just starting, I'll work with a few and see how it goes. I like the idea of being flexible, thanks again.
 
oneduffer;86709 said:
I may come up with a sequence of next actions, right? Would that sequence of next actions be filed under support materials?
Click to expand...

Personally for about 75% of my projects there isn't any additional support material so I tend to put all identified actions into my Omnifocus system with any notes in the note field of the project. As part of planning I decide whether there are sections that can be worked on independently, in which case I either make another project for that piece or set OF to have the actions parallel. If they are really dependent then I set the project to sequential.
Then the OF system will automatically serve up to me on my next actions lists all the items I can do in order and I don't have to think about them again.

For projects with more extensive files I put a reference in OF notes as to where the additional materials are located, paper filing or electronic filing system.
 
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