Recently we’ve been incredibly busy at Strawberry Towers. We’ve tried to get extra resources but without any real success (if you’re reading this and you’re a web monkey and want a job, email me - contact details in footer).
This has lead to the problem of having (for example), 3 things to do at once, with 3 different clients all clammering for their work to be done first. (This is an example, could be 5, could be just the 2 things….)
So, how do you handle this when it happens?
I went through a phase of trying to get all 3 done at once - which failed. All that happens is that you end up doing a half arsed job on all 3 items of work as you’re rushing, which in turn leads to:
- Rework as the functionality isnt quite right
- Rework due to bugs
- Quality standards going out of the window
The end result? Whilst you were trying to please all 3 clients, you end up having a mental day tied to the computer and end up with 3 clients all not quite satisfied and 3 things still on your “to do” list.
I think I’ve found the solution finally, and whilst it’s so simple, and so obvious, I think it’s one that’s easy to forget:
DO ONE THING AT A TIME, DO IT WELL, DO IT TO COMPLETION AND MOVE ON TO THE NEXT THING!
First of all, explain the situation to the clients - generally, they understand. Secondly, decide the most time pressing job and get on with it. Do it, and tell the client when you’ve done it. Keep the other 2 clients informed on when their work will be completed. Complete job 2 and move on to job 3.
The end result is a bit different:
- Quality upheld and rework kept to a bare minimum
- Clients kept informed and happy (I accept this might not always happen!)
- You actually complete a task and see the “to do” list shrink.
Obvious and simple, yet I think sometimes easy to forget.
Comments welcome!