Recently, with a number of active projects, my current GTD task management system Things wasn’t cutting it. I needed something with more structure and filters.
With 3 or 4 active projects each with hundreds of actions and sub projects with even more actions Things was become cluttered and more of a hindrance then a help so I turned to OmniFocus.
OmniFocus a much more power and expensive system, costing $79.95 for the Mac client, is based around the idea of projects and context allowing you to focus in on only the tasks you can do. For example when I’m at my desk at home I’m not interested in anything for work or at the supermarket so I can hide them with the click of a button and only show the things I can do.
This brings with the ability to be truly the only system needed for task management in both home, work and business. The powerful sync via MobileMe, Bonjour or any WebDAV server allowing over the air sync with other Macs, iPhones and iPads without the applications have to be running on the same network.
OmniFocus also has a iPhone and iPad app which both follow the same steep pricing structure as the Mac app costing £12 and £24 respectively. But what you get for your money is well worth it.
The iPad app is well designed and offers all the features of the desktop counter part, well at least I haven’t found anything to be missing. Where as the iPhone app as you may expect offers the basics and a bit more but if you are mobile and away from your Mac a a lot like I am you’ll need one if not both of these. Both the iPhone and iPad apps sync over the air so your almost alway update everywhere you go.
Do I recommend OmniFocus. Yes despite is steep pricing it is worth it to anyone that wants or needs a task manager and I even recommend it over Things unless the price is an issue for you I’d recommend OmniFocus every time.
