David Allen is an influential American author and productivity consultant, widely recognized for creating the renowned time management method, Getting Things Done (GTD). His approach to work-life management has revolutionized personal productivity, enabling countless individuals and organizations to bring order to chaos and achieve greater performance, capacity, and innovation.

Born on 28 December 1945, Allen’s formative years were spent in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he demonstrated his talent in debate by winning a state championship. He later attended New College, now known as New College of Florida, in Sarasota, Florida.

Before establishing his career in productivity consulting, Allen explored diverse professions, working as a magician, waiter, karate instructor, personal development instructor, and travel agent. He claims to have held 35 different jobs before the age of 35.

In the 1980s, Allen began applying his productivity perspectives to businesses, securing a contract to design a program for executives and managers at the Lockheed Corporation. He subsequently founded the David Allen Company, focusing on personal productivity and executive coaching. His GTD methodology has become a fundamental part of his teaching efforts.

His book, Getting Things Done, became an international bestseller, translated into over 28 languages, and was hailed by TIME magazine as "the defining self-help business book of its time." In 2015, a new edition of the book was released, featuring updated insights and discoveries about the GTD methodology.

Currently, David Allen is considered a leading authority in organizational and personal productivity. He resides in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with his wife Kathryn, whom he describes as his "extraordinary partner in work and life."