Planning and Job Order

[Rich P]

A question ive been meaning to ask for a while... how do you go about planning your project.
I often find myself down at the boat at a loose end because i don't have the right materials, tools, or i can't remember the next job i need to do!

Obviously not a great situation and i was wondering if any of you had some planning tips..?

Thanks!
Rich

[Ryan]

I have had the same problem more times than I can count. Eventually my wife and sat down and she had me rattle off every single thing that the boat needed to have done to it. As I rambled, she wrote it down on two huge dry erase boards. We then went into detail of each step that needed to be done to accomplish each job. Then we broke them up into manageable "chunks" , and each time we head to the boat, we work to knock off one of the "chunks" from the list. It sounds a bit elementary, but I find it is a tremendous help. Otherwise, I end up sitting there and contemplating what I should do next because I know how far the list expands. Paralysis by analysis I've heard it called. The small pieces keep you focused and it is satisfying to get back home and erase a section off the board (even if it gets replaced with new found work!). I admit I fought the idea as being silly, but I sure am glad we use it now. FWIW.

Ryan

[Oscar]

I go through the steps in my mind, over and over, I always know what the next step is. It's how I go to sleep, and how I keep from getting bored going across the Atlantic..... As far as tools, LKIV is a trailer boat, and I am fortunate to be working in the Garage Mahal (a shop I built with everything I need, two of many, and many of some....) If I don't have something there's a Home Depot or similar nearby. Marine parts pieces are ordered on line.

[bcooke]

Lists.

At the end of the day I write down everything I want to get done tomorrow. In the morning I run through it in my head and make a more detailed list of what I need to bring. I also keep many of the tools and materials I use regularly in the pickup truck. Every few months I need to switch stuff out as I shift from fiberglass work, to woodwork, to electrical to plumbing to ...

It helps anyway. My mind is like a sieve and I still make multiple trips and try to keep several projects going so when I get stopped on one I can shift to another.

If there were to be a 'next time' for me I would not start a major boat project without locating the boat and ALL tools and supplies in the same location. Commuting to the boatyard is fine for weekend projects but for the big stuff it a huge time killer; like in it doubles or triples the labor input. ( I will spare everyone the economics math) It really is that important. Lesson learned all too well over the past four years.

[Quetzalsailor]

Lists.

I start preparing a weekend list on the previous weekend, and keep it at my desk at work. Dated. Goals. Tools. What to bring/what to buy. The hardest part is remembering to check the list as I go out the door. At the end of the fitout season, I'll have a clipboard with all the lists, receipts, sketches, dimensions, etc., which I store away in the file for the purpose.

Actually, I'm not all that good at the above - but I try to work that way.

Of course, the goals are a changing target.

And multiple tasks at hand are good, too. If I've run into a block on one, or I simply can't stand to work on one any more, there's another for which I've prepared.

[Ceasar Choppy]

Yes, Lists, and lists of lists.

I spend the week making these lists and hopefully by Wednesday, I've ordered what I need for the weekend so that it arrives before Friday. That way I don't have to spend Friday and Saturday stuck in traffic going from the hardware store to the chandlery and back. Early on, I would spend more time on the weekend sourcing stuff rather than using my time effectively to actually do something. My lists are optimized to make use of my time more effectively.