Frequently Asked Questions

It's a simple daily planning approach: 1 Big task, 3 Medium tasks, 5 Small tasks. The Big task is important because when you finish it, you know you moved the needle today. The rest fills in around it. Some days you might do 9 small tasks if that's what makes sense. It's flexible, not rigid.

1 Big task + 3 Medium tasks + 5 Small tasks = 9. That's where the name comes from. Plan your nine, get them done, feel good about your day.

The 1-3-5 structure is a guide, not a rule. Some days you'll knock out 12 tasks, other days you'll focus on 3 big ones. The point isn't hitting exactly 9 - it's about being intentional. Start with what matters most (your Big task), then fill in the rest based on your actual capacity. PlanItNine helps you focus on what's important, not stress about hitting a number.

The 1-3-5 method works well because it's realistic. Most people overload their day and end up frustrated. When you pick 1 important thing plus a few supporting tasks, you actually finish. And finishing feels good. That's what builds momentum.

They let you add everything, so you end up with a list that's more anxiety than action. The 1-3-5 structure helps you think about what you can actually finish today. It's not about restricting yourself. It's about being honest with your time.

Most apps let you add unlimited tasks and call it 'flexibility.' That's how you end up with 47 items and no idea where to start. PlanItNine is built around the 1-3-5 method: pick 1 Big task, 3 Medium, 5 Small. Your Task Outliner holds everything, but your daily board shows only what you're actually doing today. It's the difference between planning and doing.

Two things: structure and separation. Other apps mix planning with execution - everything lives in one giant list or board. PlanItNine separates them. Your Outliner is for brain dumps and project breakdowns. Your daily board is for today's tasks. You plan in one place, execute in another. That separation is what keeps you focused instead of overwhelmed.

Yes. You get a Project Outliner to dump all your ideas and break things down. Then you drag tasks onto your daily board when you're ready to work on them. No complicated setup. Just plan and do.

No. Most people figure it out in a few minutes. Add tasks to your Outliner, drag them to today's board, check them off when done. That's pretty much it. We're also working on a user guide if you want to go deeper.

PlanItNine was built by a small team at OVS Group who got tired of overloaded to-do apps. We wanted something simple that actually helped us finish work instead of just collecting it. So we built it for ourselves first, then decided to share it.

Yes. Click the timer icon on any task to start tracking. It's useful if you want to see where your time goes, bill clients, or just get a sense of how long things actually take. Totally optional but there if you need it.

Yes. The web version works everywhere. It's best on desktop for planning and organizing your Outliner, but it works great on mobile for checking off tasks throughout the day. We're also developing dedicated apps for iOS and Android.

Yes, both are built in. Your data is yours. If you need a different format for import or export, just ask and we'll take a look at adding it.

Deleted tasks can be restored for 7 days. In the Work Outliner menu, toggle 'Show Deleted' to see and restore them. Tasks with tracked time or that are completed get archived instead of deleted, so your time tracking data and reports are always preserved.

You can email any task to someone directly from the app. Full list sharing with other PlanItNine users is a premium feature. It's great for family chore lists or shared household tasks. Most people use it for personal planning, but sharing is there when you need it.

Yes. Keep using your company's tools for team visibility and updates. PlanItNine is for you personally. When a ticket lands on your plate, use the Outliner to break it down your way into steps that make sense to you. It's your space to figure out the work before you do the work.

A lot of users tell us it does. The structure helps when your brain wants to do everything at once. Instead of an overwhelming list, you see exactly what you're doing today. The Big task gives you something to anchor on. And if you get distracted, you can look at the board and get back on track.

Start by picking what actually matters today. PlanItNine suggests planning around 9 tasks, but it's not a hard limit. The structure helps you see what's realistic instead of staring at an endless list. When you know what you're doing, it's easier to actually do it.

Usually it's because you're looking at too much at once. Your brain freezes when there's no clear starting point. The 1-3-5 method fixes this by giving you one important thing to focus on first. Once you finish that, momentum kicks in and the rest follows.

Stop adding tasks and start finishing them. PlanItNine helps by limiting what's on your plate today. You plan in the Outliner, but you execute on the daily board. When you only see 9 things, it's easier to pick one and go.

Procrastination usually happens when a task feels too big or unclear. Break it down in the Outliner until the next step is obvious. Then put just that step on your daily board. Small, clear actions are easier to start than vague big ones.

Ask yourself: if I could only finish one thing today, what would make the biggest difference? That's your Big task. Everything else supports it or can wait. The 1-3-5 structure forces you to make that call instead of treating everything as urgent.

Brain dump everything into the Outliner first. Get it all out of your head. Then pick just one thing that matters most for today and put it in the Big slot. Don't worry about the rest yet. One thing at a time.

Yes. You can show exactly what you worked on, how long it took, and what you got done. The time tracking gives you real data. When someone asks what you did today, you have a clear answer. It takes the stress out of those conversations.

Yes. The free tier is generous and will be enough for many people. We'd love for everyone to have the premium features, but honestly, a lot of users won't need them. Start free, and upgrade only if it makes sense for you.