From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 From: Bernt Hansen Subject: Re: Effort Estimates Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:32:04 -0400 Message-ID: <878ww2k417.fsf@gollum.intra.norang.ca> References: <153374.71920.qm@web50512.mail.re2.yahoo.com> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Return-path: Received: from mailman by lists.gnu.org with tmda-scanned (Exim 4.43) id 1KIvvN-0005cN-HQ for emacs-orgmode@gnu.org; Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:35:21 -0400 Received: from exim by lists.gnu.org with spam-scanned (Exim 4.43) id 1KIvvL-0005bQ-RT for emacs-orgmode@gnu.org; Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:35:21 -0400 Received: from [199.232.76.173] (port=59687 helo=monty-python.gnu.org) by lists.gnu.org with esmtp (Exim 4.43) id 1KIvvL-0005b8-Ga for emacs-orgmode@gnu.org; Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:35:19 -0400 Received: from 72.13.de.static.xlhost.com ([206.222.19.114]:44873 helo=mail.planet-mofo.com) by monty-python.gnu.org with esmtps (TLS-1.0:DHE_RSA_AES_256_CBC_SHA1:32) (Exim 4.60) (envelope-from ) id 1KIvvL-0001ga-04 for emacs-orgmode@gnu.org; Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:35:19 -0400 List-Id: "General discussions about Org-mode." List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , Sender: emacs-orgmode-bounces+geo-emacs-orgmode=m.gmane.org@gnu.org Errors-To: emacs-orgmode-bounces+geo-emacs-orgmode=m.gmane.org@gnu.org To: recif@yahoo.com Cc: emacs-orgmode@gnu.org R C writes: > Hi, I am new to using org-mode. I have read the section on effort > estimates, but I am not quite clear on the implementation. I am > particularly interested in using org-mode to compare estimated times > to clocked times for tasks, and in getting a summary of the estimated > work effort for each day in agenda view. I would appreciate it if > anyone using org-mode for these purposes would be willing to provide > specifics of their implementation. Thanks. Recif The following article on the mailing list is what got me started with column view. I use it all the time now. http://permalink.gmane.org/gmane.emacs.orgmode/5134 Since then Carsten has added a clock summary to the table so I can quickly get a summary of the tasks, estimated times, and time spent on the project. I clock everything. I use the same column view in all of my org files. I've set this globally in my .emacs as ,----[ .emacs ] | (setq org-global-properties '(("Effort_ALL" . "0 0:10 0:30 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 16:00 24:00 32:00 40:00 60:00 80:00 120:00"))) | (setq org-columns-default-format "%40ITEM(Task) %17Effort(Estimated Effort){:} %CLOCKSUM") `---- This lets me quickly enter effort values for a subtree. Put the cursor on a task, C-c C-x C-c to enter column mode, move the cursor to the effort column, and enter effort values with S-right, S-left, or e and some value. This creates :PROPERTY: drawers on the fly if required to store the effort amounts. I use column view to look at and compare effort amounts with actual time spent. If I need to save the report permanently I insert a column report with C-u C-c C-x r RET I also use the clock report in the agenda to get a summary for what I've spent time on today. C-c a a R. Okay that's a little white lie. I don't use this key combination anymore because I have it turned on by default so every time my agenda displays the clock report is displayed. ,----[ .emacs ] | (setq org-agenda-start-with-clockreport-mode t) `---- I manually stop and start my clock. I have the following setting to support that mode of operation: ,----[ .emacs ] | (setq org-clock-out-when-done nil) `---- This means I can mark a task DONE and the clock keeps going. With recent changes I can also refile the task with C-c C-w and the clock moves with it which is a great feature. This helps a lot when I accidentally move a task to a DONE todo keyword by mistake and I want to put it back. My clock just keeps running. Hopefully some of this helps. Feel free to ask questions if any of it is confusing. I find the best way to try something out is to create a throw-away org file /tmp and play with the features there. When I'm comfortable with the way things work I add this workflow to my regular org files. Interacting with org seems to be a life-long endeavour for me - I keep tuning things (yes I have an "* ONGOING Org Mode Tuning" task :) which I'm currently clocking while writing up this email. Thanks again for the wonderful tool that is org-mode Carsten and everyone else on the list that has helped to make org-mode what it is today! Best regards, Bernt