Journaling options? Cancel The title field is required!

1. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   1/29/2018 4:01 PM

   Hi all,
   After how many years, I'm finally asking this question?
   
   I'm wondering what options everyone who journals uses?
   
   I have done various attempts at notebooks/journals to write down what has happened during a day, or what has been discussed with other stake holders, (mostly more as a CYA deal) but I haven't been consistent, and I've noticed when I do it, I think I tend to over do it? Writing down every little detail, which leads me to stop journaling. Is there a better way to keep that journal going? Would doing bullet points help?
   
   What lead me to ask is, I think I had an epiphany and while discussing some issues with our manager, (who technically isn't my supervisor, it's the way our park's department is set up), I have come to realize, when we have certain issues that seem to come up every year. When we discuss it, I will talk about some changes we have tried, I also mention some factors others have come up with, but it's mostly opinion from an educated guess.
   
   I have in some cases some pretty good data, such as my weather logs, my pesticide applications logs, and some other items. Now I'm looking to go back into that data and analyze it, and see if I can find some reasons for lack of control of a product, look at my timing of issues, and other ideas. (first issue I want to look at is some weed control troubles, but I could also see maybe irrigation improvements, among other things)
   
   What I am looking to do right now, is to journal those conversations, along with ideas that pop into my head, on something I really want to do some more investigating into the issue, so I can maybe find a reason for the continuation of the issue, and maybe find a solution. I would like the journal to act as a reminder of the issue I have questioned, because at the time of the idea, I have other responsibilities I might be in the middle of.
   
   Or these items I want to research more in depth, is a journal the proper vehicle I'm looking for? Is there something else that might work better for me?
   
   I'm looking to just try to get a little bit smarter than I am right now, (as I know I have a long way to go to match many of you) and I'm looking at if those answers I find, can help me improve our golf course, and if not, at least I have some data to help me back up an answer I give.
   
   Thanks!
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
2. Stephen Ravenkamp

   

   1 posts
   
   2/2/2018 7:02 AM

   Mel,
   If there is a magic solution I haven't found it, yet. Journals can be a good source of "memory;" however, they are only valuable if (1) you log everything in; (2) you have sufficient detail that someone without knowledge of the event could reconstruct it; and (3) YOU CAN FIND IT! I know my journals are guilty of all those failings.
   1. Although I try to log everything in some days I just can't seem to find the time or just flat don't remember to do it.
   2. I don't believe you can put in too much detail. I know my memory isn't perfect, so the more detail I put in the better I am able to reconstruct later on.
   3. I have yet to find an indexing system that lets me optimize the journal.
   Hopefully, someone will have something that works.
   Steve

   
   
   
   
3. Mark Van Lienden

   

   14 posts
   
   2/3/2018 7:02 AM

   I found highlighters really helped me. I would high light all l tournaments so I could see them coming. I would highlight in a different color all spray applications. Another color for late employees or other warnings and firings. And another for projects. This made it pretty easy to thumb back and find important events. In this calander journal I would list daily jobs and weather events . At one course a board member had me track every employees in six minute increments or tenths of an hour. This was a complete waste of time creating useless statistics that don't take in traffic weather or any other variables that influence our day.

   
   
   
   
4. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   2/11/2018 6:02 AM

   using the recorder on your phone could be a start. when you get an idea and you want to remember it just tape it as well as bullet points. make a special time during every week to go over your idea's. if you have assistants bring them into the fold for the learning experience and two minds are always better than one. dont be afraid to task them with tracking your outcomes or building a program. if its chemical wise bring your spray tech into the fold also. one reason we as superintendents tend to forget things (besides old age) is that we have our plates full and have people under us doing some of these jobs. if all I did was spray chemicals I would be able to sit and brainstorm all day about how to do a better job.
   
   Not sure how your crew is set up but do not be afraid to use the people you have to test your thoughts on. while I have a small crew I tend to run many things by my assistant/mechanic regardless if I use his suggestions or not. if nothing else it gives him a better feel for what I am thinking.

   
   
   
   
5. Melvin Waldron

   

   43 posts
   
   2/11/2018 8:02 PM

   Thanks Mark for that, I do use some color coding in my calendar for cultural practices, rain, irrigation, and fertilizer and pesticide applications. I have also made a calendar in my outlook just for course operations with cultural practices that are pretty scheduled and outings, if I have time, I will also put in pesticide applications in that schedule as well. Just reminds me to do it. I'll look into using some of that in note taking for personnel tracking, I usually make those notes on my weekly job schedule which is an excel spreadsheet.
   
   Thanks James, since there is only 3 of us FT (which includes myself) and no assistant, our mechanic is shared among 3 courses. I handle just about all the spraying except for spot stuff, and most other applications. I also handle most irrigation decisions as far as full system runs. I have started relying on my guys to do more with hand watering using our TDR, most irrigation repairs, and taking lead roles in projects like tee leveling and bunker renovations when we have seasonal help. I do think I'm going to work with our part time PM mechanic to do some equipment training of our seasonal staff this upcoming season.
   
   Thanks!
   
   Mel

   
   Melvin H. Waldron III, CGCS, Horton Smith Golf Course, City of Springfield/Greene County MO
   
   
6. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   2/28/2019 7:02 AM

   Mel, ask the people in the group if they mind you recording the event. and let them know that you will turn it off anytime someone wishes to just talk and not be recorded. this could reduce the amount of the conversations that you need to journal and let the others know there are times they can speak freely.
   
   you need to journal the conversation and I would use bullet points just to know its not all one subject.
   
   maybe break the journal sections down into areas where you can have other crew do some of the task or research, you cannot be expected to do it all. you can still meet with crew member about how they are doing and offer advice in getting it done. just do not be afraid to get help. I would also consider getting some of the main people involved in doing some of the research through the year. some subjects may need to be visited a few times per year or more to determine if they are working.
   
   the hard part is putting everything together at the end of the year. maybe set aside enough time to complete one subject a day so you do not get burned out with a marathon.