Workflow Getting Things Done

logic tree diagram illustrating second , third steps (process/clarify , organize) of five-step getting things done workflow

the gtd workflow consists of 5 stages: capture, clarify, organize, reflect, , engage. (the first edition used names collect, process, organize, plan, , do; descriptions of stages similar in both editions). once material ( stuff ) captured (or collected) in inbox, each item clarified , organized asking , answering questions each item in turn shown in black boxes in logic tree diagram. result, items end in 1 of 8 oval end points in diagram:

in trash
on someday/maybe list
in neat reference filing system
on list of tasks, outcome , next action defined if incomplete project (i.e. if require 2 or more steps complete it).
immediately completed , checked off if can completed in under 2 minutes
delegated else and, if want reminder follow up, added waiting for... list
on context-based next action list if there 1 step complete it
on calendar

empty inbox or inboxes daily or @ least weekly ( in empty). don t use inbox list. don t put clarified items inbox. emptying inbox doesn t mean finishing everything. means applying capture, clarify, organize steps stuff.

next, reflection (termed planning in first edition) occurs. multi-step projects identified above assigned desired outcome , single next action. finally, task task list worked on ( engage in 2nd ed, in 1st ed) unless calendar dictates otherwise. select task work on next considering (the context , e.g. @ home, @ work, out shopping, phone, @ computer, particular person), time available, energy available, , priority.