Getting Things Done (David Allen)
Developed by Federica Menti
This article aims to critically present the time management method Getting the Things Done, analyzing its application on projects management and overall limitations and benefits.
Getting Things Done (GTD) is a time management method for personal productivity improvement that aims to minimize stress while maximizing productivity. GTD was first presented, in 2001, in the bestseller book “Getting Things Done” [1] by the coach and management consultant David Allen.
After giving an introduction on GTD method for personal productivity, the article will discuss its application in the field of Project Management. The paper will then conclude commenting on the benefits, the limitations and the critique surrounding the method.
Contents |
Background
To make the article content clear for all readers, some definitions will be presented hereinafter:
What are time management and time management tools?
Claessens et al. [2] refer to time management as "behaviours that aim at achieving an effective use of time while performing certain goal-directed activities". This definition points out that the use of time is not an aim in itself but it focuses on some goal-directed activity, which are carried out in a way that implies an effective usage of time. Time management behaviours comprise: time assessment behaviours, whose purpose is the awareness of past, present, future and the self-awareness of one’s time use; planning behaviours which aim at an effective use of time; monitoring behaviours which focus on observing one’s use of time while performing activities.
A time management tool is a method that aims to perform the three behaviours in the best way in order to maximize the individual’s performance. The last two decades have seen an explosion of methods for “time management”, “task management”, or “personal productivity enhancement” that try to teach efficient routines for dealing with information overload, tasks to be carried out and limited amount of time. [3]
References
- ↑ David Allen, Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity, Penguin, 2001,
- ↑ Brigitte J.C. Claessens, Wendelien van Eerde, Christel G. Rutte, Robert A. Roe, ‘’A review of the time management literature’’, Personnel Review, 2007, Vol. 36 Issue: 2, pp.255-276, https:// doi.org/10.1108/00483480710726136
- ↑ e.g. Stephen Covey, A. Roger Merrill and Rebecca R. Merrill, ‘’First things first’’, Simon & Schuster, 1994
