Do you find that your workday always flies by, and you never have enough hours in the day to complete all your tasks? Then it might be time to start using the ALPEN method. The ALPEN method is a time management technique to gain overview and control over all your daily tasks.
The ALPEN method requires working with carefully crafted task lists, buffer times, and scheduled breaks to plan your day in a productive manner.
What is the ALPEN-methode?
The ALPEN method was devised by the German productivity expert Lothar Seiwert. ALPEN stands for:
A: Arrange activities and actions in a list (Aufgaben)
L: Estimate the length in minutes (Länge schätzen)
P: Incorporate buffers for potential problems (Pufferzeiten einplanen)
E: Decide where to allocate your time (Entscheidungen treffen)
N: Review afterwards (Nachkontrolle)
How can you manage your time with ALPEN in vPlan?
Create a task list with everything you need to do
Many people don't use a checklist for daily tasks but instead remember everything in their heads. Research has shown that our brain can't remember more than four tasks at a time. To avoid forgetting tasks, you can put them on a board in vPlan. This way, you quickly have an overview of what you still need to do.
Estimate the time needed for each task
To plan your day effectively, it's important to estimate how much time each task will take. In vPlan, you can fill in the estimated time per card.
Factor in any potential problems
To avoid running out of time in case of potential problems, it's essential to leave 30% of your workday unplanned. In reality, tasks almost always take longer than estimated. This way, you can still complete your tasks without rushing and avoid incomplete work. You can easily start and stop tasks so that vPlan keeps track of the time for you. In vPlan, you can even specify that only 70% of your available time can be planned.
Determine which tasks have priority and which do not
Now that you have a task list with estimated times and buffer times, you may find that the list is quite long. It's essential to prioritize which tasks need to be done first. You can easily do this in vPlan by using labels. Quickly and easily sort by labels.
Follow up or make notes about the process
At the end of the day, review what you've accomplished from your list. Do you still have many tasks outstanding? Move these tasks to the next day.
Don't forget to take breaks throughout the day! This way, you'll be fully engaged during your work hours.