Pomodoro Technique

Apps and websites providing timers and instructions have popularized the technique. Closely related to concepts such as timeboxing and iterative and incremental development used in software design, the method has been adopted in pair programming contexts.

Description

The original technique consists of deciding on the task, setting the timer (typically for 25 minutes), working on the task, taking a short break (typically 5–10 minutes) when the timer rings. This repeats until four pomodori are completed, after which a long break (typically 20 to 30 minutes) is taken before starting the cycle again.

For the purposes of the technique, a pomodoro is an interval of work time (and pomodori is the plural form).

A goal of the technique is to reduce the effect of internal and external interruptions of attention and flow. A pomodoro is indivisible; when interrupted during a pomodoro, either the other activity must be recorded and postponed (using the inform — negotiate — schedule — call back strategy) or the pomodoro must be abandoned.

The stages of planning, tracking, recording, processing and visualizing are fundamental to the technique. In the planning phase, tasks are prioritized by recording them in a "To Do Today" list. As Pomodori are completed, they are recorded.