Pomodoro Technique
Encyclopedia
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management
method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The technique uses a timer to break down periods of work into 25-minute intervals called 'Pomodoros' (from the Italian
word for 'tomatoes') separated by breaks. Closely related to concepts such as timeboxing and iterative and incremental development
used in software design, the method has been adopted in pair programming
contexts. The method is based on the idea that frequent breaks can improve mental agility.
There are five basic steps to implementing the technique:
For the purposes of the technique "pomodoro" refers to an indivisible 25-minute period of time. After task completion, any time remaining in the "pomodoro" is devoted to overlearning
. Regular breaks are taken, aiding assimilation. A short (3-5 minute) rest separates consecutive "pomodoro". Four "pomodoro" form a set. A longer (15-30 minute) rest is taken between sets.
An essential aim of the technique is to reduce the impact of internal and external interruptions on focus and flow
. A "pomodoro" is indivisible. When interrupted during a "pomodoro" either the other activity must be recorded and postponed (inform – negotiate – schedule – call back) or the "pomodoro" must be abandoned.
, paper and pencil. The physical act of winding up the timer confirms the user's determination to start the task; ticking externalises desire to complete the task; ringing announces a break. Flow
and focus become associated
with these physical stimuli.
Nonetheless, the technique inspired software applications for a variety of platforms, perhaps because of the technique's following amongst software developers.
Time management
Time management is the act or process of exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase efficiency or productivity. Time management may be aided by a range of skills, tools, and techniques used to manage time when accomplishing specific...
method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The technique uses a timer to break down periods of work into 25-minute intervals called 'Pomodoros' (from the Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
word for 'tomatoes') separated by breaks. Closely related to concepts such as timeboxing and iterative and incremental development
Iterative and incremental development
Iterative and Incremental development is at the liver of a cyclic software development process developed in response to the weaknesses of the waterfall model...
used in software design, the method has been adopted in pair programming
Pair programming
Pair programming is an agile software development technique in which two programmers work together at one workstation. One, the driver, types in code while the other, the observer , reviews each line of code as it is typed in...
contexts. The method is based on the idea that frequent breaks can improve mental agility.
There are five basic steps to implementing the technique:
- decide on the task to be done
- set the pomodoro (timer) to 25 minutes
- work on the task until the timer rings; record with an x
- take a short break (5 minutes)
- every four "pomodoros" take a longer break (15–20 minutes)
Underlying principles
The stages of planning, tracking, recording, processing and visualizing are fundamental to the technique. In the planning phase tasks are prioritized by recording them in a "To Do Today" list. This enables users to estimate the effort tasks require. As "pomodoros" are completed, they are recorded, adding to a sense of accomplishment and providing raw data for subsequent self-observation and improvement.For the purposes of the technique "pomodoro" refers to an indivisible 25-minute period of time. After task completion, any time remaining in the "pomodoro" is devoted to overlearning
Overlearning
Overlearning is a pedagogical concept according to which newly acquired skills should be practiced well beyond the point of initial mastery, leading to automaticity...
. Regular breaks are taken, aiding assimilation. A short (3-5 minute) rest separates consecutive "pomodoro". Four "pomodoro" form a set. A longer (15-30 minute) rest is taken between sets.
An essential aim of the technique is to reduce the impact of internal and external interruptions on focus and flow
Flow (psychology)
Flow is the mental state of operation in which a person in an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of the activity. Proposed by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, the positive psychology concept has been widely referenced across a variety of...
. A "pomodoro" is indivisible. When interrupted during a "pomodoro" either the other activity must be recorded and postponed (inform – negotiate – schedule – call back) or the "pomodoro" must be abandoned.
Tools
The creator and others encourage a low-tech approach using a mechanical timerTimer
A timer is a specialized type of clock. A timer can be used to control the sequence of an event or process. Whereas a stopwatch counts upwards from zero for measuring elapsed time, a timer counts down from a specified time interval, like an hourglass.Timers can be mechanical, electromechanical,...
, paper and pencil. The physical act of winding up the timer confirms the user's determination to start the task; ticking externalises desire to complete the task; ringing announces a break. Flow
Flow (psychology)
Flow is the mental state of operation in which a person in an activity is fully immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of the activity. Proposed by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, the positive psychology concept has been widely referenced across a variety of...
and focus become associated
Association (psychology)
In psychology and marketing, two concepts or stimuli are associated when the experience of one leads to the effects of another, due to repeated pairing. This is sometimes called Pavlovian association for Ivan Pavlov's pioneering of classical conditioning....
with these physical stimuli.
Nonetheless, the technique inspired software applications for a variety of platforms, perhaps because of the technique's following amongst software developers.
Name
The Pomodoro Technique is named after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer that was first used by technique creator Francesco Cirillo when he was a university student ( is Italian for tomato).Further reading
- Free PDF of Francesco Cirillo's book Free PDF of Francesco Cirillo's book Free PDF of Francesco Cirillo's book
- Staffan Nöteberg: Pomodoro Technique Illustrated: The Easy Way to Do More in Less Time. Pragmatic Programmers, Raleigh, N.C., 2009, ISBN 978-1934356500