When you're taking the valvetrain apart, it's important to keep things organised. I use half-sized sandwich bags, make sure to use a ziplock or something so the little keepers don't sneak away. I label them with a number for the cylinder number, then "I" or "E" for intake/exhaust, and then A or B to distinguish between the two... You can see 4IB and 4EB in this pic:
I also keep all the parts together on a little shelf thing. The crank and bags and a few other things are on the bottom back shelf, head and parts on top, the girdle in front, and I have another tray that fits on top of the front one with the rest of the parts. I keep everything oriented the same way, and use absorbent towels underneath everything, which is convenient for writing on.
My shelf, adapted from my friend's old stereo rack:
Closer on the head:
The girdle, de-oiled, but not all clean yet, I'm waiting until after I sharpen the edges up. You can see where the bulges are on the top and bottom in this pic, I'll de-round the corners and make them flush with the rest.
Everything stacks nicely:
