For several years now, I have been using less and less sticky notes. This is because I use something much better: Drafting Dots. They work better, last longer, cost less, do not harm any surfaces, and make my life much easier.
Now, I can easily use mail merge or tables to print out stories using four cards per page. I use card stock (120# in US) and often use colored paper to color the product backlog. Any printer, a paper cutter and I am quickly ready with a stack of cards that work like index cards or sticky notes for emergent conversation and valuable collaboration. We can lay things out on tables and then put things on walls which, is something sticky notes cannot do well.
I am always ready with index cards and drafting dots. They are cheaper and easier to use in many flexible ways. I have seen drafting dots hold up cards for a month and then get moved without issue. Try them out, you may find yourself using far fewer sticky notes.
I’m going to try that - seems like a Green movement (cards less environmental impact than stickies - not sure).
A colleague called his stack of white index cards his (with southern/hick accent) White-Berry. So I’m switching to a White-Berry but staying a Apple fanboy.
Is this a promotional post? It is a little confusing. How are drafting dots better than painter’s tape?
This is not a promotional post since we don’t own any stock or part of the drafting dots companies out there. 😉
We have found that the drafting dots are better at sticking and re-sticking than painters tape along with portability in my bags. It does not take over for painters tape in all situations. But you can actually unstick drafting dots from paper and re-stick to another piece of paper or index card fairly easily.
Brent turned me on to drafting dots a while back, and now I swear by them. They stick better, longer, and can be reused more often than stickies or blue tape. I use them most often in making up bigger size story/acceptance criteria cards.
Alas, I’ve had trouble finding these anywhere in retail stores any more - ordering them online is the only way to go.
> you can actually unstick drafting dots from paper and re-stick to another piece of paper or index card fairly easily.
That seems like a good thing. tape can sometimes trash a card. I like the simplicity of tape though, and the fact it can be used for other purposes, like dividing things up. In general I don’t use sticky notes for any item that requires prioritization or discusion, as it seems to hinder more than help, as you describe. Stickies are good for simple “to-do” items, at a task/how level of work, but otherwise some kind of card is better. I’ll check out drafting dots. I’d prefer a Roman legionary-free dot though