Email apps implement “Inbox Zero” with the concept of the 4 D’s of time management: Do, Done, Delay and Delegate. The idea here is that with every email that arrives in your inbox, you open it immediately and do one of four things:
- Do: The email requires an action be performed (normally outside of the inbox), so you action it immediately.
- Done: The email is deemed “done” (a reply has been sent or there is no action required) so the most appropriate method is to Delete or Archive it.
- Delay: The email requires resources or attention not available to you right now, so your email app should remind you of this email at a later date.
- Delegate: The email requires the resources or attention of someone else, so forward the email to them immediately with the necessary context.