Illustrated workflow map helps general public and organizations “get things done”

Knowing that customers want to quickly and easily grasp how to utilize the GTD process in order to improve their own efficiency and output, The David Allen Company and XPLANE | Dachis Group teamed up to create a better visual tool.

Challenge | The David Allen Company is well-known for its “Getting Things Done” (GTD) process and related coaching and training seminars. The company had an existing GTD workflow decision tree but was looking to make it a much more comprehensive, engaging and easier-to-understand visual tool. The overview map needed to allow new and existing users of the GTD personal productivity methodology the ability to quickly and easily grasp, and embrace, the process.

Action | After selecting XPLANE to be its partner on the project, David Allen Company participated in a strategic discovery session led by an XPLANE consultant and designer. The session allowed XPLANE to probe the David Allen team about its typical users and clients while creating visual scenarios of workflow environments. Going into the engagement the David Allen Company already knew it was looking to create a detailed print piece that would depict the GTD process complete with prioritization factors and a total view of inputs and decision options. However, the discovery session allowed the XPLANE team to provide recommendations and solidify the final design. XPLANE followed its traditional process of creating napkin and blueprint iterations of the map and collaborated closely with the David Allen Company team to refine and detail the piece’s main points. The final deliverable is a comprehensive illustrated diagram that depicts the entire GTD workflow process. XPLANE also created complementary illustrations for the GTD workbooks and PowerPoint presentations used during coaching sessions and training seminars.

Results | The David Allen Company is now offering the workflow diagram as a product to the general public. The piece comes in two sizes: a large map (20 inches wide by 30 inches long) and a desk poster (11 inches wide by 17 inches long), and is accompanied by a David Allen coaching DVD. It will also be integrated into their core training materials. The product can be found online at at the David Allen Co. store. Feedback to the diagram has been phenomenally positive from both David Allen customers and the general public.

Our experience with XPLANE was overwhelmingly positive. The company’s dedication to doing what it takes to get it right through talented thinking and graphic work is remarkable and proof of why it’s the leader in visual communication and design.
— David Allen, chairman, The David Allen Company