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brain-dump.md

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+# Brain Dump
+
+The _first_ step in creating a systematic list of any kind
+(_and thus a process for accomplishing the things on the list_)
+is to empty one's mind (_specifically working memory_)
+of everything that is occupying space and processing power.
+This step is often referred to as a brain dump.
+
+![brain-dump-before-after](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/194400/68108635-3497be00-fee0-11e9-83f0-6a56ecc99623.jpg "Brain Dump Diagram - Credit: Annie Mueller")
+<!-- this diagram is borrowed from https://anniemueller.com/brain-dump-noun-1
+we definitely need a better one. If you want to help with this,
+please open an issue: github.com/dwyl/product-roadmap/issues/new -->
+
+
+> A brain dump is the act of writing down everything
+that is on your mind so that you don't forget it
+and to clear your brain to **focus** on **one thing**
+instead of being distracted by many things.
+https://anniemueller.com/brain-dump-noun-1
+
+The first feature we need to build
+is a way of capturing all thoughts
+on one's mind.
+Thankfully this is just a matter
+of capturing free text (_using a **`textarea`** element_)
+and safely storing it as **`text`** in Postgres.
+
+
+
+## Existing (_Incomplete_) Approaches
+
+There are several tools that can be used for an _initial_ brain dump.
+They each have their strengths and weaknesses.
+
++ Basic notes app on phone/PC - good for initial capture, useless for follow up.
++ Google Docs - quite good for collaborative capture, useless for next steps.
++ Evernote - powerful yet incomplete, over-complicated and expensive.
++ Trello - trello is great for capturing and OK for categorising
+but _useless_ for completion.
+
+
+Our MVP _could_ be achieved
+simply by using one of these
+_existing_ Apps
+and then focussing on the _next_ step
+in the
+
+### Can't We Just Use Sticky Notes?
+
+Capturing a brain dump
+on paper or sticky notes
+_can_ feel like a good step in the moment.
+
+![colorful-sticky-notes](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/194400/68108210-1ed5c900-fedf-11e9-829b-27f84889e311.jpg)
+
+But unless those notes
+are _immediately_ transferred
+to a system and categorised,
+most of the information is lost.
+We've all been there
+in the brain-storming / idea generating
+session where everyone shares their thoughts.
+Everyone feels great for a few moments,
+like _real progress_ has been made,
+but in reality walls full of _unorganised_ sticky notes
+is where ideas and information go to _die_.
+(_sorry if that feels overly dramatic,
+  but we have felt the frustration
+  of both **losing** the **individual** sticky notes
+  and the **entire session**
+  due to a lack of a systematic process for storing the information_)
+
+A further downside of sticky notes
+is that while they are OK for colocated teams,
+they are ***useless*** for **_remote_ collaboration**.
+
+People often _attempt_ to resolve
+this by taking a photo of the board full of sticky notes,
+naively thinking that they have "captured"
+the information.
+While the photo is better than nothing
+it creates a false sense of security
+because most of the time
+the single word on the sticky note
+does not capture the whole idea.