the pomodoro technique

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Focus on work The Art of Having a Break The four stages Team work Free Time

The Pomodoro Technique

Improve quality of individual and team work

Matteo Vaccari Federico Gobbo

m.vaccari@sourcesense.com; federico.gobbo@uninsubria.it

Sourcesense, Milano; Università dell'Insubria, Varese

(cc) Some rights reserved.

XP Day Mechelen, 15 November 2007

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What is a Pomodoro?

The Classic Pomodoro...

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What is a Pomodoro?

...is a kitchen timer...

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What is a Pomodoro?

...of whatever shape!

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Why?

The Pomodoro Technique Goals & Features

Francesco Cirillo � inventor of the Technique

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Why?

The Pomodoro paper

Find it at

http://www.tecnicadelpomodoro.it/

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Why?

What kind of work?

professional

children homework

cleaning house

...

any work

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How Pomodori Work

The Pomodoro is the unit of work

Pomodoro = 25 minutes + 5 minutes break

...or any reasonable convention you prefer (teams decide)

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The Pomodoro Technique Rules

The Zero Pomodoro Rule

If the Pomodoro is interrupted...

...that Pomodoro counts for nothing.

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The Pomodoro Technique Rules

Half pomodori?

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The Pomodoro Technique Rules

NEVER: The Pomodoro is the Atomic unit of work!

The Fundamental Rule: A Pomodoro Is Indivisible.

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The Pomodoro Technique Rules

After 25 minutes, you stop

Scene 1: �just for a few more minutes�

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Getting into the break

After 4 Pomodori...

...take a longer break (never more than 1 pomodoro long)

The 4 Pomodori Rule:

thank yourself after 4 following successful Pomodori.

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Getting into the break

How to handle interruptions?

Scene 2: �inform, negotiate, call back�

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During the break

Thank myself?

Yes!

Relax. You have worked well!

Suggestions:

stand up, rest and take a deep breath

have a little walk

have a co�ee or a tea

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During the break

What if the boss resents frequent pauses?!?

Scene 3: �breath exercises without standing up�

The Four Stages of the Technique

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How to estimate e�ectively?

Individual planning

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How to estimate e�ectively?

Estimating cards in pomodori

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How to estimate e�ectively?

Estimating cards in pomodori

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How to estimate e�ectively?

Very big tasks?

More Than Five pomodori?

Split it up!

(as you are used with User Stories)

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How to estimate e�ectively?

Very small tasks?

What if

it Lasts Less Than One Pomodoro?

Add It Up!

(it's easy!)

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Recording

The Last Pomodoro is for Recording your day

Don't forget to do it,

whatever method you choose!

Solo Recording: Federico's method

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Pomodoro Recording for the team

Recording with paper (Sinapsi Srl)

http://wiki.sinapsi.com/

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Pomodoro Recording for the team

Recording with a wiki (Databtech)

by Alessandro Mercanti

Recording with a custom app (Sourcesense)

EasyTracking II (www.myagileprojects.com)

by Francesco Cirillo

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Team work

Ideal Engineering Days != Calendar Days

Why?

�Gosh! In a full day I can only do 3 pomodori�

�Argh! today I spent

3 pomodori in a meeting

2 pomodori in presales

1 pomodori on support

Only 2 pomodori on my project!!

�

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Team work

One timer per pair

Avoid the one timer to rule them all style

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Team work

Dealing with multiple customers simultaneously

Customer A is very important: 50% e�ort

Customer B is important: 30% e�ort

Customer C is less important: 20% e�ort

This week we have 150 pomodori

Customer A will get 75 pomodori

Customer B will get 45

Customer C will get 25

by Gabriele Lana

Our Mantra

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Get aware of your Free Time

Synopsis of Pomodoro Rules

Pros and Cons of software Pomodori

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Get aware of your Free Time

Beyond Pomodori

Free Time is Free Time,

i.e. free from time boxing

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Get aware of your Free Time

Thank you. Any questions?

Download these slides:

http://www.slideshare.net/goberiko/xpday2007

(cc) Matteo Vaccari & Federico Gobbo 2007. Published in Italy.Attribution � Non commercial � Share alike 2.5

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Focus on work The Art of Having a Break The four stages Team work Free Time

Get aware of your Free Time

In fact, we have questions

How could we improve this presentation?

What was good?

What was bad?

Could we make it more interactive?

And please don't forget to tell us your experience with the

Pomodoro:

http://it.groups.yahoo.com/group/pomodoro/