GTD origins

[KR.eativ: architects]

I have a book, first published in 1987, by Roger Black (ISBN 0-7181-2842-7) entitled "Getting Things Done" with a subtitle "A Radical New Approach to Managing Time and Achieving More at Work".

Does David Allen's work/book predate this? The earliest reference to David Allen's book I have found to date is 2001. I ask because Roger Black's book describes, for example, a very similar system for dealing with the "in-tray".

Just curious and interested.

[Brent]

He certainly was formulating his ideas well before 2001; the GTD system evolved over the course of several decades as he worked various jobs. He was also a management consultant before the book came out, during which time he finalized GTD. So there's no easy answer to your question.

[jjv99]

Very interesting...

[vivek]

David has often mentioned this " I learnt the key principle of Getting things done - What is the next action ?, from my friend and mentor Dean Acheson ( no relation to the US Secretary of State in the 50's)."

this article about David Allen in Wired magazine might be of interest:

http://tinyurl.com/2elm8u

- Vivek

[dschaffner]

David has often mentioned this " I learnt the key principle of Getting things done - What is the next action ?, from my friend and mentor Dean Acheson ( no relation to the US Secretary of State in the 50's)."

There is also an "in conversation" with Dean here: http://www.davidco.com/connect/audio.php?titleid=127&trackid=468

Good stuff.

- Don

[pwhite]

I ask because Roger Black's book describes, for example, a very similar system for dealing with the "in-tray".

I have the same book but I can't find mention of a similar system for dealing with the in-tray. To which section number are you referring? Section 56 talks mainly about piles and prioritising, though it does say 'Never handle a paper more than once'.

'The Organized Executive' by Stephanie Winston (1983) mentions the TRAF system (Toss, Refer, Act, File) which seems nearer the GTD workflow. However it does not mention Clarify, Organise for Deferred items.