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Thinking and doing

Manual computing

My journey to Tana began with the dual experiences of being both a programmer and a manager, as I worked at Google and other companies. Over the years, I've observed what I call "manual computing" in corporate environments - the inefficient process where information gets trapped in static documents and presentations and humans are the ones moving data around - instead of the computers.

This led me to realize the following: We need a tool that bridges unstructured and structured knowledge. Something that allows users to start with unstructured data and gradually add structure as needed, without the upfront cost of building a full application.

For computers to do more of our work, we have to include them from the messy origin of information, starting from simple notes or voice recordings, all the way to complex workflows with well understood data flows.

The Thinking and Doing Cycle

At Tana, our core philosophy revolves around a cycle that connects thinking and doing:

• Capture: Input information quickly and easily.
• Understand: Structure and organize information to gain insights.
• Decide: Make informed decisions based on the organized information.
• Plan: Create actionable plans from these decisions.
• Execute: Perform the required actions and track progress.
• Evaluate: Assess the outcomes and feed back into the cycle.

This cycle exist at all scales, from small personal tasks to large organizational processes. It also exist at all time resolutions, from small decisions in the moment to year long projects.

Our goal is to take users from input to outcome with minimal effort and maximum delight.

Bridging Unstructured and Structured Information

A key aspect of our vision is the ability to start with unstructured data and gradually add structure as needed. This approach allows our users to begin working immediately without the overhead of setting up complex systems.

As users interact with their information over time, they can incrementally add structure to improve functionality and insights.

Enhancing Collaboration

My experience working on Google Wave, one of the earliest web-based real-time collaboration tools, greatly influenced Tana's vision.

We aim to unleash the potential of team productivity by creating a shared information space where team members can contribute rapidly and in parallel, while also providing tools to organize and make sense of the resulting information flood.

Reducing Manual Computing

A primary mission of Tana is to move people away from "manual computing."

We envision a unified information space where all actors can access and view information from different angles, eliminating grunt work and enhancing productivity. We want to stop the endless cycle of copying and pasting between different tools and documents.

The AI Integration

Looking to the future, we see AI as a key component in enhancing the thinking and doing cycle. Our vision includes using AI for tasks like capturing and structuring information, especially through voice interactions on mobile devices. We're working towards making it effortless to input unstructured information and have useful, structured data emerge automatically.

The automation possible with AI isn't limited to performing operations on data, but as important, the AI can watch the meta-data layer. Monitor and suggest improvements to both workflows and information templates. Just like robotic vacuum cleaners can keep your floors dust free, we can get constantly fine-tuned setups for the work we do.

Bringing it all together

At Tana, we're creating a tool that seamlessly connects capturing information, understanding it, making decisions, and taking action.

Our aim is to revolutionize how individuals and teams manage their knowledge and workflows. As we continue to evolve and materialize this vision, we hope to bring new levels of efficiency and insight to knowledge workers across various fields.

We're not just building another productivity tool. We're on a mission to fundamentally change how people interact with information, making the journey from thought to action smoother and more intuitive than ever before.