Scrum by the Generals

Face it. For each process or method there is someone developing some tool to support us in this process. Most of the time this comes from a tech geek standpoint where you develop something for yourself and then figure that you should share it with the rest of the world and in return get informal fame and glory. The problem here is that most of the time the rest of the world does not really follow the process the same way and then the tools become pretty useless. This is the also true for most pomodoro software developed.

The Pomodoro technique is a simple process that helps you focus on tasks over the day. It is so simple that the need for developing any tools to support quickly turns into a blatant example of trying to sell you something you are pretty sure you don't need. (A bit like TV-shop infomercials...) However it is an interesting convept and quite useful for short focused tasks (like writing a blogpost!).

There is one thing however that does help the pomodoro method and is actually a bit logically connected to the actuall Pomodoro principle - creation of the perfect Pomodoro Playlist! This shall not be taken too lightly and anyone listening to music while working knows this. It is not like casual listening to music on the commuter train or while cooking dinner.

If created cleverly the pomodoro Playlist completely replaces the need for a Pomodoro timer, but there are some more finer points to it. To start with the Pomodoro music is preferably listened to in headphones. They cut off disturbing noice and actually also cut off some of the disturbing co-workers. So what is then a Pomodoro Playlist? There are a few requirements, here compiled into one nice user story:

"The user shall, for the exact duration of a Pomodoro, be able to listen to music that helps the concentration and follows the crative process."

The creative process in a Pomodoro can be divided into the following phases:

• The startup phase. Here we need something easy to allow us to pick up the focus.
• The ramp up Now things are starting to pick up and we make progress
• The flow Here it is important to keep the focus and just work work work
• The cool down Now it is time for some reflection and quality improvements

So here are my top pomodoro Playlists to follow this process:

The Soft Rock Pomodoro Playlist

(usage: When it is time for some dig in focus, like that unispiring report you must submit)

1. Money For Nothing	Dire Straits	4:07	(perfect startup)
2. Summer of '69	Bryan Adams	3:37	(here things are quickly picking up)
3.Poision	Alice Cooper	4:29	(keep up the good work)
4.Beds are Burning	Midnight Oil	4:16	(hopefully in the flow now)
5.Dancing in the Dark	Bruce Springsteen	4:00	(start cooling down)
6.In the Army Now	Status Quo	4:41	(cross the t:s and dot the i:s)
	Total Time:	25:10

The Really Creative Pomodoro Playlist

(Usage: When there are a lot of creative thinking to be done and not so much grunt work)

1. O Fortuna	Orff	2:36	(getting into a creative mode)
2. Velveteen	Transition Vamp	9:52	(a long session)
3.where the wild roses grow	Nic Cave & Kylie	3:57	(in the flow)
4.Aquarious	The new Musica Cast	4:16	(uninterrupted)
5.Suzanne	Leonad Cohen	3:47	(document all the good ideas)
	Total Time:	24:52

The Zooned out Pomodoro Playlist

(Usage: When you really dont want to be disturbed mid-pomodoro. (A.k.a. Arobics Pomodoro)

1. Sandstorm	Darude	6:39	(Start off working hard)
2.I Engineer	Bangbros	3:43	(still working hard)
3.The Masterplan	Discotronic	3:25	(still working hard)
4.Put your hands up	Fedde le Grand	2:25	(still working hard)
5.Insomnia	Faithless	8:43	(Finnish hard)
	Total Time:	24:55