PomoTrap is a simple time management tool. Its goal is to enhance personal focus and productivity. It’s based on the Pomodoro Technique, and can do the following:
* Track periods of effort and relate it to activities on real projects
* Track interruptions
* Track rest and recreational periods
* Create automatic To Do listings
* Provide metrics, reports, estimates
The secret is to have a device to act as a timer and interact with the system. This is gesture-oriented. Conditioned reflexes are great tools. Just wind up the clock!
The Pomodoro Technique is similar to Agile methods such as Scrum and XP but at a “micro” level. It feels sort of like being a single-person team doing 25-minute iterations.
The Pomodoro Technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo in the 1990s. It was published on 2006. Its goals are to:
* Alleviate anxiety from the feeling of being late
* Keep a sustainable pace with the technique rhythm by using short iterations of 25 minutes, by not skipping breaks, and by focusing on one activity at a time.
* Enhance focus and concentration by cutting down on interruptions
* Increase awareness of your decisions
* Boost motivation and keep it constant
* Bolster the determination to achieve your goals
* Refine the estimation process, both in qualitative and quantitative terms
* Improve your work or study process
* Strengthen your determination to keep on applying yourself in the face of complex situations
The book Pomodoro Technique Illustrated was written by Staffan Noteberg.
* Released on December 2009
* Published by The Pragmatic Programmers
* Provides insights from Agile Software Methodologies and Cognitive Science research
* A complex and demanding methodology of working consumes your time. The Pomodoro Technique is ridiculous. So simple. Lightweight.
* 25-minutes size: lengths are not mandatory, configurable
* Pair Pomodoros. Pair programming.
* Visibility. Expose your work.
* Run Alone, Intranet or Corporate network
* Administratives Pomodoros. Do your personal stuff.
* Team Pomodoros. Synchronize with other teammates.
* the Tomato also have a button you can tap it, in order to void the Pomodoro (when an external or fatal interruption occurs)
* Integration with existing project management services (such as PivotalTracker, etc)
* Gesture-oriented. Conditioned reflexes are great tools.
* Focus Enabler. By always preparing with the same gestures and routines, the brain will self configure into the best mode to solve a particular kind of task. Like superstitious people.
* When you keep your clock visible on the desk, your teammates become aware of your technique and subconsciously more inclined to respect it.
I don’t know how to do it yet! I will start by the software. And keep researching.
Maybe we can have many implementations to the device. iPhone, USB, an holographic panel. Who knows?
I have received a few tips. THANK YOU!
- The Pomodoro Technique was developed by Francesco Cirillo. Its own license information can be found here
- PomoTrap is developed under the Open Source Initiative OSI – The MIT License.