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Using lists can be an extremely effective way to plan out what you need to get done. Here's a general overview of the main types of lists to give you a foundation on which to improve your list-making practices. Using lists can be an extremely effective way to plan out what you need to get done. Lists also are tools that help you remember what you need to do, track what you've already done, and evaluate your productivity by documenting what, when, and how much you've done in the past. Understanding that there are different types of lists can give you a huge advantage over others in using lists effectively. Here's a general overview to give you a foundation on which to improve your list-making practices.
Informational Lists: The most basic type of list is the informational list. The primary purpose of this list, as its name demonstrates, is to provide or summarize information. An informational list serves as a reference to its users. Most informational lists have been created by someone else for our benefit. Although we might not think about it as a list, a dictionary is a great example of an informational list. It is a sophisticated informational list, providing an alphabetical record of words, including definitions, origins and other information about each word.
We are surrounded by informational lists and use them every day without really being aware of it. Other informational lists include a thesaurus, a meeting roster, a registration sheet for a training session, a table of contents, a mailing list, a price listing, and a catalog. Internet search engines provide lists of web sites, the phone book provides lists of phone numbers, the classified ads provide a list of items for sale, a bibliography is a list of books and other published resources. The list, so to speak, can go on and on.
Planning Lists: Do you know anyone who is always carrying around a clipboard, checking off items on her list of things to do or pulling off a sticky note when she completes something? She is probably a committed user of planning lists. Her daily list of tasks or her color-coded sticky notes on a clipboard is her method for documenting her plan to make sure she gets done what she needs to on any given day. The planning list is just that, the documentation of a plan - the decision or decisions to do some or many things. The daily task list is a fairly simple planning list and holds all the items you plan to do on a given day. Unlike the informational list, the planning list is one which will either be created specifically for or by you or your work team.
Planning lists can be very simple, but can also be among the most sophisticated lists which can help us stay on track and get things done. Other examples of some simple planning lists include a master to-do list, a weekly menu plan, a schedule or calendar, and a meeting agenda. Other, more sophisticated planning lists include a project work plan which outlines outcomes, strategies, target dates, and responsible parties, a team's action item list, a procedural manual, a flow chart, and a plan for achieving a personal goal.
Working Lists: In the midst of implementing a project or just doing our daily work, whether at home or our place of employment, we often stop to utilize lists that help us problem-solve around dilemmas or barriers that have arisen or to make decisions when needed. You don't? If you somehow muddle through things without taking time to intentionally address problems or engage in effective decision-making, you will find working lists extremely helpful. A working list is one which provides structure and greater objectivity into your problem-solving and decision-making efforts. The working list may be completely customized or a standard format in which you apply your specific information. The brainstorming list is one of the most popular working lists. We run across a problem, brainstorm possible solutions and implement what we believe will be the most effective. Other examples of working lists include comparison lists such as pros and cons, effectiveness and feasibility, or cost analyses, categorizing lists such as a fishbone diagram, and prioritizing lists such as numbered rankings, or an A-B-C or other customized prioritizing method.
About the Author
Donna Birk is a writer, trainer, coach, and Licensed Social Worker. She founded and operates "People Builders," an organization devoted to helping people grow. Get a FREE goal setting guide and FREE E-zine at her website: http://www.youcangetitdone.com