What is Pomodoro?

Pomodoro is basically a time management technique used to accomplish your day’s work by dividing and executing them into smaller chunks with regular breaks.

Underlying principles

Steps involved in the technique:

1. List out all the tasks to be done
2. Set the timer to 25 minutes – set alarm to ring after 25 minutes
3. Work on the task till the timer rings
4. Stop the work and update the task list
5. Take a short break say 5 minutes
6. Repeat from step 2 – This concludes 1 chunk of pomodoro
7. After every 4 chunks take a long break say 30 minutes

The rationale behind this technique is to plan, track, record, process and visualize your work.

While planning – tasks are prioritized by recording them in the task list. This enables users to estimate the effort tasks require – How many chunks of pomodoro is required for this task.

One way to use this technique efficiently is any time remaining in the chunk is devoted to learning. Short breaks are taken to avoid burnout. A short rest separates consecutive chunks. Four chunks form a set. A longer rest is taken between sets.

A pomodoro chunk is indivisible; when interrupted during the chunk. If interrupted either the activity must be recorded and postponed (using the inform – negotiate – schedule – call back strategy) or the chunk must be abandoned.

1. Inform the other person you’re working on something right now
2. Negotiate a time when you can get back
3. Schedule follow-up immediately
4. Call back when your pomodoro chunk is complete

A goal of the technique is to focus and flow reducing the impact of internal and external interruptions.

Pomodoro is an italian word for Tomato.