Actionable vs Reference
A fundamental concept at the intersection of gtd and PKM is the separation of information into two distinct streams: Actionable and Reference.
Actionable (The Fuel)
Information that requires a visible next step to move toward a goal. This is temporary data used to complete a task.
- GTD Destination: Next Actions, Projects, Calendar.
- Examples: A meeting agenda, a bug report, a draft of a specific email.
Reference (The Assets)
Information that has no immediate action required but has potential future value. This is long-term knowledge for future retrieval.
- PKM Destination: Wiki, Library, Digital Garden.
- Examples: A synthesis of a research paper, a record of a design decision, a historical overview of a methodology.
The Bridge: Project Support Material
Notes or data that are technically Reference but are currently linked to an Actionable project. Once the project is complete, the support material is either archived or integrated into the permanent wiki as a the-compounding-artifact.
Avoiding the "Write-Only" Trap
Digital graveyards occur when reference material is captured without being Clarified. Following the GTD rule: "If it can be filed in under 2 minutes, do it now," ensures the PKM remains a useful asset rather than an unorganized pile of data.