Anti-Todo List... otherwise known as "Lab Notebook"? This process is commonplace (and often required!) in academic settings. I love looking through mine and reliving the discovery process!
Exactly! Plus it's helpful for remembering the decisions that led you down a particular path, and for coming up with documentation.
I used Yammer for this in the past--just posted quick blurbs about that I did as I did it so that the team stay informed and I could remember what I had done.