Standup Log
Daily standup notes: yesterday, today, blockers.
Overview
The Standup Log captures the classic three-question daily check-in: what you did yesterday, what you plan to do today, and what is blocking you. Each entry is dated and stored against your account, so the log becomes a continuous record of momentum, intent, and friction over weeks and months.
Even if you do not attend a literal standup, the format is a powerful daily framing exercise. Writing the three answers takes a few minutes and forces you to actually look at the day ahead rather than charging in. The log of past entries is then a low-friction journal of working life: what you spent your time on, what you said you would tackle, and what kept getting stuck.
How it works
Add an entry for today by writing short notes against three fields: yesterday's accomplishments, today's plan, and any blockers. The entry is timestamped and appended to the running log. Reviewing past entries is a matter of scrolling — recent days appear first, and the consistent shape makes scanning fast.
The blockers field is the high-leverage one. A blocker that repeats across three or four daily entries is no longer a blocker; it is a structural problem worth escalating. Patterns are easy to spot precisely because every day uses the same template.
Examples
- "Yesterday: shipped the bookmark filter. Today: write tests for the search path. Blockers: none." A clean day.
- "Yesterday: tried three approaches for the import bug. Today: pair with Sam at 11. Blockers: still reproducing intermittently." A day where naming the blocker out loud helps.
- "Yesterday: planning meeting. Today: draft proposal for client X. Blockers: waiting on the legal redline." Useful to log because the wait is the work.
- "Yesterday: light day, family stuff. Today: catch-up on email, plan the week. Blockers: none." Honest entries beat aspirational ones.
FAQ
Do I have to fill all three fields?
No, but the framing is the point. A blank "today" entry is usually worth a second look.
Should I log on weekends or days off?
Optional. Many people skip; some log a single line about rest or chores. Consistency matters more than coverage.
How long should each entry be?
A few bullet points per field is plenty. The log is for scanning, not narrative.
What if I work on a team that runs its own standup?
Use the log as your personal prep: write the entry before standup, then attend with the answers ready.
Can I review the log later?
Yes. Entries stay in date order, so weekly and monthly reviews are easy.