Getting Things Done (GTD) method and Basecamp, do they mix together?

There has been a long-standing debate surrounding whether the popular project management tool, Basecamp, can be effectively integrated with the Getting Things Done (GTD) method. While some argue that these two systems do not complement each other, two prominent bloggers, Glen from LifeDev and Patrick from his personal blog, believe otherwise. They have shared their insights and created guides on how to leverage Basecamp for GTD. In this article, we will explore their perspectives and examine how Basecamp can be customized to accommodate GTD principles.

The Challenges of Combining Basecamp and GTD

Basecamp, known for its simplicity and user-friendly interface, is primarily designed for managing projects and collaboration. On the other hand, GTD is a productivity method that helps individuals organize their tasks and enhance their overall efficiency. The main challenge arises from the fact that Basecamp does not possess native GTD features, such as contexts, tickler files, and projects.

The Solutions Proposed by Glen and Patrick

Glen suggests that, if Basecamp is exclusively used for web development projects, maintaining a single context would suffice. However, for individuals who wish to apply GTD principles to all aspects of their lives, Glen provides three solutions:

1. Add the context in front of the list name by using the “@” symbol. For instance, if you need to make phone calls, you can add “@Phone:” as the list name. Then, enumerate the calls you need to make.

2. Upgrade your Basecamp account to the Basic version, which allows multiple projects. This way, each context can be treated as a separate project.

3. Use Glen’s recommended workaround, whereby every item is assigned a project to serve as its context.

On the other hand, Patrick proposes an alternative approach using people as contexts. Since Basecamp allows adding people to a project and assigning them to-do list items, Patrick suggests assigning each person responsible for a task as a context. This can be achieved by creating a dummy Gmail account for each context, with the person’s name serving as their context.

Implementing Glen and Patrick’s Recommendations

Implementing Glen’s solutions requires a bit of creativity and organization. By adding the context in front of the list name, you can easily identify tasks related to a specific context. Additionally, upgrading to the Basic version provides the flexibility needed to treat each context as a separate project. However, this solution may incur additional costs depending on the number of contexts you have.

Patrick’s approach of using people as contexts allows for a more intuitive and personalized system. By assigning tasks to specific individuals, you can easily associate each task with its responsible party. This can be particularly useful when tasks involve collaborations or require input from multiple individuals.

Conclusion

Although there are differing opinions on whether Basecamp and GTD can be effectively combined, Glen and Patrick provide valuable insights and practical strategies for integrating these systems. Glen’s solutions leverage Basecamp’s existing functionality to mimic GTD features, while Patrick suggests using people as contexts to add a more personal touch to the system. Ultimately, the choice of whether to incorporate GTD principles into Basecamp depends on an individual’s workflow and preferences. Experimentation and customization may be required to find the best approach that aligns with your productivity needs.

Sources:
How I Mix Basecamp and GTD – [LifeDev]
Basecamp: New GTD Implementation Ideas – [Patrick Rhone]