How do you tell a planner-system itch from a real need?

[planagain]

I change planner systems often enough that I have a small shelf of formats that seemed promising until I actually had to use them. Sometimes I can name a problem my current setup isn't handling; other times I just want to try the new format. What do you look for to tell a real workflow gap from wanting to use another system for the fun of it?

[blackinkonly]

Track the moments your current setup creates extra work. If the same snag keeps coming up, a new format has a specific job; if the list stays empty, the format itself is probably the appeal.