Что делать, если задачи никак не заканчиваются? / Истории не об IT

Summary

This video addresses the challenges of managing tasks that seem nearly completed but get delayed due to feedback or backlogs. It discusses factors like waiting for responses, task queues, and lack of dedicated time for final adjustments. The speaker offers two strategies: creating a special queue for incomplete tasks and immediately handling urgent tasks as they arise. The video encourages managing tasks by categorizing them by urgency and allocating specific time to finish lingering tasks, ensuring efficient project flow and avoiding stress from unfinished work.

Takeaways

• 😀 Tasks often get delayed when they seem almost complete but require further corrections or feedback from clients.
• 😀 When a task is handed off to another department or client, it can appear 'closed,' but may still require more work after feedback.
• 😀 A common issue arises when tasks are held up because of waiting for client feedback or testing from other teams.
• 😀 Tasks that are put off for too long often accumulate, causing delays and frustrations.
• 😀 It's crucial to plan time specifically for finishing and refining ongoing tasks that are nearly done.
• 😀 The problem of task delays can be exacerbated by an already full queue of tasks ahead of them.
• 😀 Psychologically, we tend to relax once we pass a task to someone else, believing the job is done, even though it isn’t.
• 😀 If tasks aren't fully closed, they create ongoing issues and can hinder progress on other tasks.
• 😀 One solution is to create a special time slot or queue for tasks that need final adjustments and completion.
• 😀 Another approach is to prioritize urgent tasks as soon as feedback or changes are received, preventing long delays.
• 😀 It’s important to avoid focusing only on finishing old tasks, as it may prevent you from starting or completing new ones.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the video script?

The main issue discussed is how tasks in projects tend to get delayed, particularly when tasks are considered 'almost finished' but still require further corrections or feedback. These delays can accumulate, impacting the overall project timeline.

What are some common reasons tasks get delayed in projects?

Common reasons include assuming a task is completed, waiting for feedback from clients or other departments, having a backlog of tasks that push back priorities, and not allocating specific time to finalize ongoing tasks.

Why does the speaker mention the example of students who failed an exam?

The speaker uses this example to highlight how tasks can drag on due to waiting for final actions, such as exam retakes. It illustrates how delays affect clients' satisfaction and the quality of work, in this case, the retention of knowledge.

What is the concept of a 'tail' in project management, as mentioned in the script?

A 'tail' refers to the lingering or incomplete tasks that, though seemingly finished, still require adjustments, feedback, or fixes. These tasks can continue to hold up progress, creating delays throughout the project.

How does the video suggest handling 'tail' tasks to avoid project delays?

The video suggests two approaches: one is to create a separate queue or time slot to focus on unfinished tasks, and the other is to prioritize urgent tasks immediately when new feedback or corrections arrive, ensuring they are completed without further delay.

What role does time management play in avoiding delays according to the speaker?

Time management is crucial to avoid delays. The speaker emphasizes the need to plan time for ongoing tasks and prioritize their completion, even if other tasks are ahead in the queue. This helps ensure that nothing falls through the cracks.

What is the recommended strategy when new feedback arrives on an almost-completed task?

The recommended strategy is to immediately focus on completing the task as soon as new feedback or corrections are received, preventing the task from dragging on indefinitely and ensuring it is finished as soon as possible.

How can creating a dedicated queue for unfinished tasks benefit project management?

Creating a dedicated queue for unfinished tasks allows you to allocate specific time slots to address and finalize these tasks, preventing them from being forgotten or pushed aside by more urgent tasks. This helps maintain project momentum.

What does the speaker mean by 'operational responsiveness' in the context of project management?

Operational responsiveness refers to being ready to quickly address any urgent tasks or feedback that arise unexpectedly. This helps prevent disruptions in the project and avoids pushing back all other planned tasks.

What advice is given regarding the balance between completing old tasks and starting new ones?

The advice is to avoid getting stuck solely finishing old tasks. It's important to use dedicated time slots for lingering tasks but also to ensure that new tasks are started and worked on to maintain forward progress in the project.