The Omni Group

OmniFocus is a robust powerful solution designed for people that need a robust powerful solution. That is the point. Omni knows OmniFocus is not for everyone. But that is true of every software product ever created. 50% of the people I work with would never use any productivity software at all. Another 30% could get away with a basic task management solution like “Things.” But the 20% that consider productivity “mission critical” and want to go beyond simply tracking average todo lists need a robust solution that has few limits. OmniFocus offers this 20% the best solution on the market bar none.

I think saying that “Something is fundamentally wrong with this solution…” is a reflection on the user, not the software. It may be fundamentally wrong for some and their expectations of productivity work but there are thousands of people that it is fundamentally RIGHT for. If I had any complaints with OmniFocus it is that it could be more robust incorporating team collaboration features. But for as little as it costs that is expecting too much.

It is true, to leverage OmniFocus to it’s full potential you need to invest time in learning the software and the methodology it is designed around. But this is true of any professional software or methodology…Sure one could fumble through and create todo lists…but that sorta defeats the purpose. OmniFocus allows the user to follow true GTD and organize information in the most streamlined way, in appropriate contexts, based on how and when it needs to be accessed. This is why the “Today”, “Next”, & “Someday” organizational structure just is not the most productive way to organize tasks. Is it an acceptable way for many people? Yes. Is it the most productive way? In my opinion…No.

For me, proper utilization of “Contexts” in OmniFocus is the key to increasing productivity. For those that don’t already know a context is, generally speaking, a person, place or a thing.  You categorize your tasks not just by when they start and are due but also by the people, places or things that will be required to complete the task. For example: If you have half a dozen tasks that you need your boss to approve you can assign the tasks to a “Boss” context. The next time you grab your boss’s attention you will have a list of all 6 tasks, from multiple different projects, neatly organized and ready to go for your boss. You will look like a genius to your boss and get everything you need from him/her in one conversation or meeting. In a Today, Next & Someday structure you may have to grab your boss’s attention multiple times over several days and risk looking unorganized or not be able to grab her attention at all and delay the completion of the task. It is the same concept as buying all your groceries once a week while you are at the grocery store, instead of realizing you need to go every few days and making multiple trips. Oh… and then there is Geo tagging “Places” contexts…..OmniFocus for iPhone can tell you what tasks need to be completed near where you physically are..it even gives you the best route to get there!

At least this has been my experience. By the way, the videos referenced above are great!

Jim C.

05.28.11 5:17 PM