Building robots is about building information. I have two binders, one holds all the information on the B32, second holds Encoder and other articles, spec sheets. This has greatly increased the speed of the projects for I can always find that article or information I need. Document what you have done. Keep a notebook of ideas.
Paper is better for remembering then gray matter.
Save the gray matter for creativity. Get the right tools and have them there at all times. Need the accuracy of digital. Analog has it place here also. Digital Logic Probe to test what is happening on the input and outputs.