## Over-engineering and its solutions - The number one trap for building a note-taking system is over-engineering it, which many people, including the author, have done for years [(00:00:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gBv2Mz19-s&t=1s). - Over-engineering often occurs when individuals get inspired by others' systems and try to build something similar, but end up overreaching or copying features without considering their own needs [(00:00:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gBv2Mz19-s&t=51s). - Uncertainty about where to start or a lack of clarity on the desired outcome can also lead to over-engineering [(00:01:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gBv2Mz19-s&t=66s). - To combat over-engineering, two steps can be taken: editing and refactoring [(00:01:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gBv2Mz19-s&t=99s). - Editing involves inserting an extra step between the ideation and build phase of the system, where the focus is on cutting out unnecessary features and building a minimum viable system [(00:01:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gBv2Mz19-s&t=104s). - A minimum viable system is a concept based on the business idea of a minimum viable product, which involves creating a small, packaged product to test its viability in the marketplace [(00:02:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gBv2Mz19-s&t=138s). - To get better at editing, it's essential to have a mindset of intentionally taking time to think about what is really needed and starting with just a few features [(00:02:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gBv2Mz19-s&t=171s). - Refactoring involves making intentional checkpoints to ask questions and evaluate the system, such as using it for a while without making significant changes and then taking a pause to reassess [(00:03:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gBv2Mz19-s&t=193s). - Refactoring is a term borrowed from [[Software engineering | software engineering]], where developers rewrite code to make it more efficient and structured [(00:03:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gBv2Mz19-s&t=196s). - By applying refactoring to a note-taking system, individuals can make intentional changes to improve its efficiency and clarity [(00:03:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gBv2Mz19-s&t=211s). ## Regular evaluation and refinement - To avoid over-engineering a [[Personal knowledge management | Personal Knowledge Management]] (PKM) system, it's essential to regularly evaluate and refine it by scheduling recurring tasks to assess what's working, what's not, and what needs to be changed [(00:03:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gBv2Mz19-s&t=238s). - This evaluation process helps identify areas that require improvement, such as adding new features, reducing friction, or increasing usability, and informs intentional decisions about system changes [(00:04:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gBv2Mz19-s&t=261s). - When implementing changes, it's crucial to be thoughtful and selective, as it may take 3 to 6 months to fully understand if an application is suitable for the system [(00:04:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gBv2Mz19-s&t=289s). - Regular check-ins, ideally every 1 to 6 months, provide opportunities to make adjustments to the system as life circumstances change, allowing the system to adapt and evolve [(00:05:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gBv2Mz19-s&t=312s). - By taking intentional time to edit and refactor the system, and making iterative improvements, individuals can avoid getting stuck in the over-engineering trap and develop a more effective PKM system [(00:05:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gBv2Mz19-s&t=352s). - Regular evaluation and refinement of the PKM system enable it to flex and flow with changing life priorities, such as job changes, relocation, or family changes [(00:05:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gBv2Mz19-s&t=327s). ## Sources - [website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gBv2Mz19-s?si=7H2XyLlEDUmCCdew)