On Jun 1, 2012, at 4:09 AM, Eric S Fraga wrote:

> SW <sabrewolfy@gmail.com> writes:
>> However, this is not what my question is about. My question relates to advance
>> warning that an item is scheduled in the future. I want to know on Friday that I
>> have scheduled a large project to start on Monday. That is, I would like to know
>> beforehand that I need to start working on a large project in a few days time.
> 
> One approach is to consider that "thinking about a large project about
> to start" is itself a task so you could look at adding a task for the
> Friday, when you first scheduled the large task for the Monday, to tell
> you start thinking...
> 
> This might sound silly but it can actually be quite useful if you get
> into the habit of thinking about such aspects when you schedule tasks.

I agree with this sentiment wholeheartedly. My default “project” org-capture template has a sub task for defining the project. You could setup your template in whatever way works for you. 

I used to use a version of the GTD Natural Planning model with bullets for Purpose, Principles, Vision, Outcome, etc. I have since simplified to a MadLibs user story format: http://www.mountaingoatsoftware.com/blog/advantages-of-the-as-a-user-i-want-user-story-template

If I know the broad outlines of project at the time of capture, I fill it all in with the capture template. If I do not yet have the project fully thought out, I add a TODO keyword to the “Project Definition” subheading. Depending on the project I add scheduled and/or deadline dates to the project itself and/or the Project Definition TODO. The relevant snippet from my org-capture is:

#+begin_src emacs-lisp
(setq org-capture-templates (quote (
	("P" "project" entry (file "~/Documents/OrgMaster/org/refile.org") "* %?       :Project_Backlog: \n  %U\n** Project Definition\n- Summary\n  + As <personal role>, I want <goal> so <reason>\n- Completion Criteria (Don't do too much)\n  + \n" :clock-in t :clock-resume t)
)))
#+end_src

Since I have clocking as part of my capture template, I also record the time I spend writing the project requirements against the project -- when I refile the project that time moves with the refile to be charged against the broader desired outcome. I get quite a bit of quantified self information this way :)