# JD: What is a project? **URL:** \ **Category:** System expansion\ **Created:** [January 28, 2024, 2:44pm UTC](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/t/jd-what-is-a-project/1181 "2024-01-28T14:44:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![johnnydecimal](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/user_avatar/forum.johnnydecimal.com/johnnydecimal/32/1759_2.png) [@johnnydecimal](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/u/johnnydecimal)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2024, 2:52am UTC](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/t/jd-what-is-a-project/1181/41 "2024-02-03T02:52:37Z")
> [@osau](#): > > You could go bold and just say “A system to organize your life” At least I decided one thing. This is live! ![CleanShot 2024-02-03 at 13.51.24@2x](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/uploads/default/original/1X/85f926975cf4a08e84fabfcd5a227c666911cf55.png) Curiously, this phrase [has never appeared on the internet](https://www.google.com/search?q=%22a+system+to+organise+your+life%22&sca_esv=44b745c8a7f32570&hl=en&source=lnt&tbs=li:1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiX8YKBlY6EAxULmVYBHW2SAIUQpwV6BAgGEBM&biw=1381&bih=729&dpr=2). ---
**Author:** ![osau](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/user_avatar/forum.johnnydecimal.com/osau/32/350_2.png) [@osau](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/u/osau)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2024, 4:52am UTC](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/t/jd-what-is-a-project/1181/42 "2024-02-03T04:52:20Z")
> [@johnnydecimal](#): > > Curiously, this phrase [has never appeared on the internet](https://www.google.com/search?q=%22a+system+to+organise+your+life%22&sca_esv=44b745c8a7f32570&hl=en&source=lnt&tbs=li:1&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiX8YKBlY6EAxULmVYBHW2SAIUQpwV6BAgGEBM&biw=1381&bih=729&dpr=2). I hate to break it to you, I really do, but there is actually [a book](https://www.amazon.com/Link-Tuit-System-Organize-Your-Life/dp/1952352029) with that tagline. (Using MS Word and hyperlinks) ---
**Author:** ![johnnydecimal](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/user_avatar/forum.johnnydecimal.com/johnnydecimal/32/1759_2.png) [@johnnydecimal](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/u/johnnydecimal)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2024, 5:06am UTC](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/t/jd-what-is-a-project/1181/43 "2024-02-03T05:06:22Z")
Aaaah I’m spelling it with the English ‘s’. I thought that was weird. Have you read the book? ---
**Author:** ![osau](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/user_avatar/forum.johnnydecimal.com/osau/32/350_2.png) [@osau](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/u/osau)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2024, 5:13am UTC](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/t/jd-what-is-a-project/1181/44 "2024-02-03T05:13:29Z")
I haven’t. I think the tag line it’s great! And appropriate. I feel quite humbled you went with it. Now, if you excuse me, I need to go fetch my “well actually…” label. It fell off somewhere. How about “your JD”? JD is a system to organize your stuff, so your implementation is “a JD”. I can see why you wouldn’t go this route… My vote is for system, even if it’s ambiguous. ---
**Author:** ![bear](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@bear](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/u/bear)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2024, 9:18am UTC](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/t/jd-what-is-a-project/1181/45 "2024-02-03T09:18:11Z")
I would still call the meta area 00-09 **System**. I have my individual JD System with my own selected techniques, tools, and behaviours. And this area is where the meta things about my personal **system** go. Collection of indices sounds strange. Isn‘t an Index something I refer to, to look up things. So it is not the areas that are my index. Preferably I should have one Index per domain. I don‘t know, but to me everything feels understandable and good as is, except for the term ‚project‘, so I would not change too much. ---
**Author:** ![johnnydecimal](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/user_avatar/forum.johnnydecimal.com/johnnydecimal/32/1759_2.png) [@johnnydecimal](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/u/johnnydecimal)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2024, 10:37am UTC](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/t/jd-what-is-a-project/1181/46 "2024-02-03T10:37:22Z")
> [@bear](#): > > I don‘t know, but to me everything feels understandable and good as is, except for the term ‚project‘, so I would not change too much. The more I think on this the more I agree. ‘System’ is just too natural. I’m trying to fight it, and losing. ---
**Author:** ![Mkcmobile](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/c37758/32.png) [@Mkcmobile](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/u/Mkcmobile)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2024, 7:37pm UTC](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/t/jd-what-is-a-project/1181/47 "2024-02-03T19:37:57Z")
Coming to J.D recently and this discussion late, however as someone steeped in Systems Engineering, I like the ‘systems thinking’ going on here! Fundamentally, the definition of a system is: - It has a purpose or primary function (I like the “organize your life” one!) - it is composed of system “Elements” (perhaps even sub-systems themselves) like the Index, Areas, etc. - these system elements are “interconnected” - they support and depend on each other to provide for the overall purpose/function of the system - and, especially, it’s the **interconnected behavior** of these elements that enable the overall “system” to provide something which “is beyond” the collection of elements by themselves without the interconnections. – I.e. the “whole” is greater than the “sum of the parts”. Most often, people start/stop with the Elements (or parts) as if that’s the full description of the system because they are usually the easiest to see and discuss. Your car’s purpose is to drive you and your family around. It has a seating, engine, control, drivetrain, etc. We can debate the elements/parts, but it’s the interconnections of them all and how they support each other that enable the car to satisfy its purpose. Those interconnections are worth spending some time to describe (even visually as you are doing with your 'system block diagram") that illustrates how everything works together. You already have those down in your explanations of how we go wrong with our digital lives now and how the J.D addresses the ‘organize your life’. Apply them visually to your system block diagram and it will help you not only communicate but likely refine your thinking further on the J.D ‘system’. ---
**Author:** ![bdillahu](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/71e660/32.png) [@bdillahu](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/u/bdillahu)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 3:45am UTC](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/t/jd-what-is-a-project/1181/48 "2024-02-05T03:45:59Z")
I think this may be the best argument for an index (see [New user / index confusion/thoughts](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/t/new-user-index-confusion-thoughts/1105)) - there are things I can’t put in a filing system (or due to computer system requirements they have to go in some special area and I may not be able to name their folders (or even the item itself))… but I can still put an entry in the index that points to it… ---
**Author:** ![johnnydecimal](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/user_avatar/forum.johnnydecimal.com/johnnydecimal/32/1759_2.png) [@johnnydecimal](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/u/johnnydecimal)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 3:50am UTC](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/t/jd-what-is-a-project/1181/49 "2024-02-05T03:50:13Z")
Sneak peek… ![22.00.0028.01-diagrams-single-system1164x1488@2x](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/uploads/default/original/1X/8bd293a211af8aded262ed723446591c66fb8f02.png) ---
**Author:** ![Alex](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/user_avatar/forum.johnnydecimal.com/alex/32/395_2.png) [@Alex](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/u/Alex)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2024, 11:11pm UTC](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/t/jd-what-is-a-project/1181/50 "2024-02-05T23:11:19Z")
> [@johnnydecimal](#): > > You then have a **collection of indexes** if you have a need to use more than one. > > How do we feel about this? I just had a thought about this - **indexes** is a geographically confusing term - as it’s uncommon outside the US where **indices** is the preferred plural. **Library** is better as it’s a universal and clear term. JD is a global methodology or system for everyone, so I’d avoid the indexes/indices bear trap. ---
**Author:** ![johnnydecimal](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/user_avatar/forum.johnnydecimal.com/johnnydecimal/32/1759_2.png) [@johnnydecimal](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/u/johnnydecimal)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2024, 1:28am UTC](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/t/jd-what-is-a-project/1181/51 "2024-02-06T01:28:00Z")
Good point – but I cannily avoided it by not using the term ‘collection of indexes’, in the end. 🙂 Here it is. Feedback very welcome, though I think I’m set on this.\[1\] Lucy and I have given it a _lot_ of thought, in the context of all of the material we’ve already written and the Workshop which we’re in the process of producing. > **[22.00.0028 'Project' is now 'system'](https://jdcm.al/20-29-communication/22-blog/22.00.0028-project-is-now-system/)** > > An update to a fundamental Johnny.Decimal term. Let’s not forget where this all started. @talundbl, does this answer your question? * * * 1. If nothing else it’d be a real pig to have to re-do those screenshots! ---
**Author:** ![Alex](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/user_avatar/forum.johnnydecimal.com/alex/32/395_2.png) [@Alex](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/u/Alex)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2024, 2:06am UTC](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/t/jd-what-is-a-project/1181/52 "2024-02-06T02:06:59Z")
> [@johnnydecimal](#): > > Good point – but I cannily avoided it by not using the term ‘collection of indexes’, in the end. 🙂 It looks and sounds wrong to me. It feels correct to me when it’s **indices**. Have I got that wrong? > [@johnnydecimal](#): > > If nothing else it’d be a real pig to have to re-do those screenshots! Yeah - you’ve made it official now. Don’t overthink it. ---
**Author:** ![clappingcactus](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/user_avatar/forum.johnnydecimal.com/clappingcactus/32/502_2.png) [@clappingcactus](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/u/clappingcactus)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2024, 8:18am UTC](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/t/jd-what-is-a-project/1181/53 "2024-02-06T08:18:32Z")
Alright, I will challenge the status quo one last time, given you’ve put many days of thoughts into this. I’m not trying to be difficult, but there’s a challenge I see with the philosophy of things as they are. If we say “computer” or “phone” is the level of component that merges systems, then everything will end up merging. How do you avoid “internet” or “e-mail” or “calendar” being a component that merges everything? Sure, you can use separate emails or calendars or phones or computers for everything, but I would say at least in my life the advantage of JD in the first place is using it to have a mental location of where to find something. If we use JD as a way to define how to divide things more, sure, we made it more searchable, but I don’t think that we actually made things more organized. Some amount of organization in my life is specifically to minimize functional duplication. I don’t want to have to open 3 separate calendars to figure out what’s happening in my day. I want a central, indisputable authority for my time management. Either JD is a philosophy to segregate systems and make individual parts of life more organized, or JD is a system to centralize life and make the interaction of systems more manageable. I’m not sure it can be both simultaneously. I instinctively assume and prefer if it was the latter. Unless I’ve misunderstood something, I believe JD’s power is really hidden in the second potential, not in the first. ---
**Author:** ![johnnydecimal](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/user_avatar/forum.johnnydecimal.com/johnnydecimal/32/1759_2.png) [@johnnydecimal](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/u/johnnydecimal)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2024, 9:47am UTC](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/t/jd-what-is-a-project/1181/54 "2024-02-06T09:47:11Z")
When I talk about shared components, what I’m saying is that: 1. **If** you have more than one Johnny.Decimal system, 2. **and** if those 2+ systems share a component — say, your email account, 3. **then** you SHOULD use the extended `SYS.AC.ID` notation with those systems. Because the scenario to avoid is that you have two folders in your email labelled `11.01` and one of them relates to `system A` and one of them relates to `system B`. It might then be the case where you are confused as to which is which. (Not when browsing your hierarchy, but when viewing search results.) Whereas if you label one folder `A10.11.01` and the other `B20.11.01` then you have removed this ambiguity.\[1\] > [@clappingcactus](#): > > I don’t want to have to open 3 separate calendars to figure out what’s happening in my day. Correct. But **if** you label calendar entries with JD IDs (I generally don’t), what I’m saying here is that you SHOULD label them with the full `SYS.AC.ID` identifier. Otherwise when `11.01` pops up as an appointment, which system does it relate to? # The counter-point This is relevant because sometimes you manage a collection of systems and one of them is in a silo. Here’s the scenario. - At home you manage **multiple** systems. They’re in the same domain so they need the `SYS.AC.ID` notation. - At work, which is its own domain, you manage **one** system. - This system is totally isolated. Nothing at work touches anything at home. - I had this in previous jobs. No overlap whatsoever. - **And so** in this scenario, this work system does **not** need the `SYS.AC.ID` notation. - Because there is nothing that it could be confused with. - This helps because you don’t have to encumber your colleagues, who already think you’re weird with all these numbers, with a `SYS.AC.ID` notation. You can use the simpler `AC.ID`. # Am I just confusing things? This might not be a point that’s worth making … I wonder if I’m making it more complicated than it needs to be? This is certainly an edge case. A 1%’er. I think I just remove it… * * * 1. Hmm but then I wouldn’t recommend naming _every_ folder with the full `SYS.AC.ID`. That’d be tiresome. So this wouldn’t benefit you anyway. ---
**Author:** ![johnnydecimal](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/user_avatar/forum.johnnydecimal.com/johnnydecimal/32/1759_2.png) [@johnnydecimal](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/u/johnnydecimal)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2024, 9:50am UTC](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/t/jd-what-is-a-project/1181/55 "2024-02-06T09:50:23Z")
> [@clappingcactus](#): > > Either ~~JD is a philosophy to segregate systems and make individual parts of life more organized,~~ **or JD is a system to centralize life and make the interaction of systems more manageable.** 💯 ---
**Author:** ![clappingcactus](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/user_avatar/forum.johnnydecimal.com/clappingcactus/32/502_2.png) [@clappingcactus](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/u/clappingcactus)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2024, 10:16am UTC](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/t/jd-what-is-a-project/1181/56 "2024-02-06T10:16:46Z")
> [@johnnydecimal](#): > > Am I just confusing things? > > This might not be a point that’s worth making … I wonder if I’m making it more complicated than it needs to be? > > This is certainly an edge case. A 1%’er. Two notes on this front: First, this exact complexity is inherent to the problem, I think. E.g. In the workbook/old website you had something like “trip to thailand - 11.26”. I remember reading that and thinking “I wonder how many projects will have a trip to thailand as part of them?” Trying to unify AC.ID notation across domains cannot work if we define each domain as having an independent structure. Then the needs of one confine the other. On that level, this is not an edge case. This is the crux of the problem of organization of life. We need varying expertise and depths to deal with varying scale of problems. Second, I believe the confusing part is the language, not the conclusion. It wasn’t clear to me on first read that it’s the notation that you suggest helps fix this problem. Of course that’s the case. The whole methodology is assigning unique IDs. But to me it sounded like a segregation problem: I was stuck thinking separate bookshelves, not separate addresses. ---
**Author:** ![paul.freeman](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/user_avatar/forum.johnnydecimal.com/paul.freeman/32/535_2.png) [@paul.freeman](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/u/paul.freeman)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2024, 2:15pm UTC](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/t/jd-what-is-a-project/1181/57 "2024-02-09T14:15:40Z")
I came here from the blog post about projects and systems. I just want to applaud the decision. Having heard about the JD system (ha!) from Obsidian forums, I learnt about it and thought I understood the basics, until I bought the workbook. Then I got totally confused by projects, as I thought you were referring to files about projects I was managing and didn’t realise that you meant something else. Now I need to read the workbook again, and firstly decide how many systems I should use ---
**Author:** ![bhdicaire](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/user_avatar/forum.johnnydecimal.com/bhdicaire/32/702_2.png) [@bhdicaire](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/u/bhdicaire)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2024, 2:26pm UTC](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/t/jd-what-is-a-project/1181/58 "2024-05-17T14:26:16Z")
It’s an ecosystem 😃 [Previous page](https://forum.johnnydecimal.com/t/jd-what-is-a-project/1181.md?page=2)