This document discusses the Pomodoro technique, an agile time management method where work is broken into intervals of 25 minutes separated by short breaks. It is presented as being helpful for focus, reducing interruptions, and keeping a sustainable pace. The core involves 30 minute cycles of 25 minutes of focus followed by 5 minutes of break, with longer breaks every few cycles. Tracking tasks and time helps visualize and improve the process. The technique is compatible with agile frameworks like Scrum. Examples are given of using physical and digital timers, as well as team implementations with shared timing and breaks.

1. Pomodoro technique
for agile teams
Sylvain Fankhauser, Benoît Pointet
Innovation after work @ Liip Fribourg
27.10.2011
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2. Pomodoro Technique
(tm)
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3. Goals
Enhance focus
Reduce interruptions
Divide complexity
Gather small successes
Detect blockers early
Keep a sustainable pace
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4. Pomodoro core
30min cycles:
25min focus
05min break
‘Break cycle’ after 3-4 cycles
Bell rings at phase change
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5. Supporting activities
Plan
tasks lists
estimate cycles per task
Track
cycles per task
interruptions
Visualize & improve
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6. Pomodoro & Scrum
Shared values
work iterations
clear focus
tracking
inspection
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7. Perfect pomodoro
tasks are 1-cycle sized
feel the rythm (inner bell)
ability to focus/defocus
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8. Timers
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9. Physical Timers
suggested by creators
benefits
clearly visible any time/one
audible tick
audible end/start
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10. Digital Timers
benefits
automatic cycle start
customizable
less intrusive
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11. www.pomodorohelper.com
interruptions, notes
graphs, projects
unbreakable pomodoro
no custom durations
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12. www.focusboosterapp.com
Adobe AIR
custom session/breaks
durations
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13. Apps apps apps
40 iOS apps
40 Android apps
7 OsX apps
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14. Experience
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15. Standard pomodoro for a team
Team or perso rythm?
I don’t want to be the timer
I forget to start/stop it
Should/can we start now?
Morning/evening situation?
>> poor results
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16. PomodoRAW - how we do it
mixes pomodoro and scrum
works for our team
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17. PomodoRAW - rules
evertimer 00>25>30>35>00
jump in/out at ‘00 or ’30
enforce focus/defocus
enforce ‘break cycle’
tracking on scrum board
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18. PomodoRAW - benefits
focus together
less ext. interruptions
motivation & respect
break together
share ideas
unblock each other
relax and have fun
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19. Just do it!
pomodorotechnique.com
book & cheatsheet PDFs ...
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