Lean, mean, organised web developing machine

I am drowning in a sea of paperwork. Quote requests, to do lists, project related paraphernalia, emails. The list is endless. Up until now I had a process. It involved coloured plastic folders from Asda. The shelf where these folders lie is now beginning to creak under the strain.

I need a new process. One that can handle live projects, projects awaiting sign off, postponed projects, archived projects as well as my to do list and invoicing.

A shiny new filing cabinet later and I am ready to get myself organised.

The structure:
I have broken down work into the following top level categories:

• Clients
• Individual projects per client
• Invoices
• Unpaid
• Paid
• Awaiting client feedback
• Archived projects
• To do

Clients - Within which will sit all projects for that client.
Invoices - a way to have printouts ready for my accountant (the missus).
Awaiting client feedback – Holding area for projects that are awaiting input from the client
Archived - Will contain projects that were one-offs and don’t warrant a client folder of their own. More than one project and they are allowed their own folder. Helps keep the number of folders down.
To do - Will hold all tasks that need immediate attention. The aim of which will be to empty the folder.

Surprisingly (or maybe not) nearly half of the paperwork has ended up getting recycled. Its amazing what you think you need therefore print, then never look at again.

In addition to my file structure, I also purchased a dry wipe board and placed it above my monitor. This will be where I will note down the next days list of tasks, again with the aim for it to be blank by the end of the day in preparation for the next days set of tasks.

Let’s see how this pans out. :)