View Full Version : How to automate the link between NA and Project?
Borisoff
09-20-2007, 01:42 AM
I'm using Outlook to manage my lists in the office. I'm interested to automate connection between the next action and the project. I'd like a window to pop up with a request to enter a new next action when the previous (either from Tasks list or Calendar) is completed. Do you know of any free of charge simple Outlook add-ins that allow to do that?
Beltza
09-20-2007, 06:15 AM
There is a macro called the GTD Police who does exactly this, but it requires the GTD add-in to function, as it looks at the Projects fields which normally is not available.
There is a macro called the GTD Police who does exactly this, but it requires the GTD add-in to function, as it looks at the Projects fields which normally is not available.
Where can I find this macro?? :mrgreen:
Borisoff
09-21-2007, 02:33 AM
GTD add-on by Netcetrix is not customizable so doesn't fit my requirements. I'd love to have my own add-on but don't know Visual Basic... :(
Mark Jantzen
09-21-2007, 04:57 AM
Doesn't the NEXT ACTION button meet that requirement? I use it all the time with Outlook (2003).
Clicking it completes item, opens a new Task item that is automatically pre-filled with the project.
I wish the GTD process was a little more "in your face" with the Net Centrics software but I find it very functional.
I'd like to understand what added features you want ... for selfish reasons to add to my own system and/or forward to Net Centrics.
Mark
cornell
09-22-2007, 05:56 AM
A simpler approach is to add keywords to the title of actions that connect them to their projects. From http://www.davidco.com/forum/showpost.php?p=51002&postcount=4:
Another trick is carefully wording projects and next actions so the
FIND feature in Outlook can "tie" them together during the Weekly
Review.
Example:
PROJECT= Dallas seminar presentation delivered
@CALL = John re: his travel plans to Dallas, ###-###-####
@COMPUTER = Check Expedia re: Dallas flights
@ANYWHERE = Start a mind map re: Dallas presentation
So FIND = Dallas would isolate all of these items during a Weekly
Review or anytime you just wanted to check-in on the status of this
effort.
Borisoff
09-22-2007, 10:10 PM
Cornel, I also use Find feature now. Can't say it's automation :) plus requires a lot of discipline :) That's why I thought of writing a small macro for Outlook that would check for Projects without Next Actions in the lists or the calendar and pop up a window to enter them. It looks like I have to learn VBA to do that :)
I've checked Netcentrix add-on but it's too complicatied plus doesn't support all my project lists (I have Projects, Projects-Sales and Projects-Delegated). It works only with Projects. Punto.
Regards,
Eugene.