One of the most important GTD lists for everyone is the Projects List. A few quotes from David Allen, "Getting Things Done" (2015 edition), pages 40-41:
I define a project as any desired result that can be accomplished within a year that requires more than one action step.
So, projects might be as small as 2 action steps, and as broad as several hundred+ action steps.
If one step won't complete something, some kind of goalpost needs to be set up to remind you that there's something still left to do. If you don't have a [written] placeholder to remind you about it, it will slip back into your head. (eg. your mind will reclaim the job of remembering/worrying about it)
Having a projects list ensures that you'll review your progress toward each outcome/project on this list at least once a week (during your weekly review).
Projects do not need to be listed in any particular order, by size, or by priority. They just need to be on a master list so you can review them regularly.
So, how should I name my projects?
You don't actually do (or complete) a project; you can only do action steps related to it. When enough of the right action steps have been taken, some situation will have been created that matches your initial picture of the outcome closely enough that you can call it "done".
So, a project is really just an outcome brought about by action(s). I like to name my projects as past-tense, True/False statements:
- 'New product offering finalized'
- 'Spring garden planted'
- 'Kids enrolled in new school'
When I read a project name, I can ask "is that true yet?" If not, I've got more work (actions) to do. If it's true, it's done! In summary:
Your projects list is merely an index.
But where do we put materials related to the project? As I'm working on a project..pardon me...as I'm executing action steps that move me closer to the desired outcome, information and stuff accumulates. Where does all that go?
Project Support Material! All of the details, plans, and supporting information that you may need as you work on your various projects should be contained in separate file folders, computer files, [git repositories!,] notebooks, binders, etc...
Projects are at the heart of the 'Zen' of GTD:
There are no problems, only projects! (David Allen)