Timeboxing is a management term
closely associated with agile project methodology and time management. In
project management, timeboxing refers to the allocation of a fixed time period
for a particular task related to the project. It is a proven technique which helps
the projects to be completed and delivered on the promised date.
With most small and medium size
firms that are yet to adopt technology in its essence, have not explored the
different possibilities of timboxing. Firms during startup usually rely on
simple spread sheets and related tools to track and manage the different
activities of the firm. With time, the staff are much accustomed to using the
tools, but the tools become inefficient and obsolete to manage the activities
at a later time. Redundant activities and the obsolete tools pose a huge threat
as staff may get easily tired of their job, this can lead to efficiency in
productivity.
Here the concept of timeboxing
can be applied to track and motivate the staff to perform the jobs effectively,
these jobs may or may not be related to a project. To implement this concept, the
tasks to be performed by the staff for each day of a week are identified, prioritized
and weekly schedules are made. For each task the time frame required are also
allocated and notified to the concerned staff. By providing the proper time
limit for each task, the staff will be aware of the temporal factor and will be
motivated to complete the tasks on time.
The right set of tools can help the firm to
easily achieve this time-task management. By timeboxing each task, the staff will have a
self-satisfaction in terms of achieving the task allotted on time. Time-boxing
is a concept that can be neatly handled to achieve results in different areas
of work not only project management.
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