AI Skill Report Card
Organizing Files Johnny Decimal
Johnny Decimal File Organization
Quick Start15 / 15
10-19 Administration
├── 11 Company records
│ ├── 11.01 Certificate of incorporation
│ ├── 11.02 Board meeting minutes
├── 12 Finance
│ ├── 12.01 Bank statements 2024
│ ├── 12.02 Tax returns
└── 13 HR
├── 13.01 Employee handbook
├── 13.02 Job descriptions
20-29 Marketing
├── 21 Brand assets
│ ├── 21.01 Logo files
│ ├── 21.02 Brand guidelines
├── 22 Campaigns
│ ├── 22.01 Q1 campaign assets
│ └── 22.02 Social media calendar
Recommendation▾
Add a templates/starter kit section with ready-to-use folder structures for common use cases
Workflow15 / 15
Phase 1: Define Areas (10-19, 20-29, etc.) Progress:
- Identify 3-10 major areas of your work/life
- Assign each area a 10-number range
- Write them down (this is your index)
Phase 2: Create Categories (11, 12, 13, etc.) Progress:
- Within each area, identify up to 10 categories
- Number them sequentially (11, 12, 13...)
- Update your index
Phase 3: Number Individual Items (11.01, 11.02, etc.) Progress:
- Give each document/file a unique decimal number
- Include the full number in the filename
- Store in the appropriate category folder
Phase 4: Maintain Progress:
- Always use full numbers when referencing files
- Keep index updated
- Review and reorganize quarterly
Recommendation▾
Include guidance on migrating existing disorganized files to the Johnny Decimal system
Examples18 / 20
Example 1: Software Project Input: Scattered project files for a mobile app Output:
10-19 Planning
├── 11 Requirements
│ ├── 11.01 User stories document
│ ├── 11.02 Technical specifications
├── 12 Design
│ ├── 12.01 Wireframes
│ ├── 12.02 UI mockups
20-29 Development
├── 21 Frontend
│ ├── 21.01 React components
│ ├── 21.02 Styling guidelines
├── 22 Backend
│ ├── 22.01 API documentation
│ ├── 22.02 Database schema
Example 2: Personal Finance Input: Mixed financial documents Output:
10-19 Banking
├── 11 Checking account
│ ├── 11.01 Monthly statements 2024
│ ├── 11.02 Transaction logs
├── 12 Savings
│ ├── 12.01 High yield account statements
│ ├── 12.02 CD certificates
20-29 Investments
├── 21 Retirement accounts
│ ├── 21.01 401k statements
│ ├── 21.02 IRA contributions
├── 22 Brokerage
│ ├── 22.01 Stock transactions
│ ├── 22.02 Portfolio reports
Recommendation▾
Provide specific naming conventions and file type organization within the decimal system
Best Practices
- Start with areas you actually have - Don't create empty structures
- Use descriptive names - "11 Client contracts" not "11 Stuff"
- Maintain the index - Keep a master list of all areas and categories
- Be consistent - Always use the full decimal number (11.01 not 11.1)
- Review regularly - Archive completed projects, reorganize as needed
- Reference by number - Say "see document 22.05" instead of "the marketing budget file"
Common Pitfalls
- Don't exceed 10 categories per area - Split into new areas instead
- Don't skip numbers - Use sequential numbering (11, 12, 13, not 11, 13, 15)
- Don't create deep hierarchies - Johnny Decimal is intentionally flat
- Don't use the same number twice - Each decimal number must be unique across your entire system
- Don't forget the index - Without it, you'll lose track of what numbers mean
- Don't rename existing numbers - Create new numbers instead to maintain references