multitaskers anonymous
TRANSCRIPT
Multitaskers Anonymous
Image Credit: Peter Kim at OnlineCollege.org/Mulltitasking
@SROGALSKY
WINNIPEGAGILIST.BLOGSPOT.COM
PROTEGRA.COM
Steve Rogalsky
Pair up…
Charting the Effort
1 Task
2 Tasks
3 Tasks
4 Tasks
5 Tasks
6 Tasks
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
120%
Time spent switch-ing tasksTime spent on task(s)
?
From: QSM 1, Systems Thinking (Dorset House, 1992). Jerry Weinberg
Charting the Effort
Project 1
Project 2
Project 3
Project 1
Project 2
Project 3
Project 1
Project 2
Project 3
Project 1
Project 2
Project 3
$
$
$
Assume no task switching costs. When is the project value realized?
Charting the Effort
?
$
$
Assume no task switching costs. When is the project value realized?
Project 1
Project 2
Project 3
$
$
$
Project 1
Project 2
Project 3
But… Why is multitasking slower?
1. Kahneman
• System One• System Two
Thinking, Fast and Slow
1. Kahneman
• System One– Happily
Multitasks
1. Kahneman
• System Two– Is Selfish– Drains easily– Prefers working
alone– Demands
singular focus– Is used for
Knowledge work
2. Inventory• In a Physical
Environment:–Work piles up on
the floor• In your life:–Work piles up in
your head
• Before the backlog => Existential Overhead• After the backlog => Cognitive Ease
Credit: Jim Bensonhttp://ourfounder.typepad.com/leblog/2009/07/personal-kanban-and-existential-overhead.html
Backlogs help organizing your inventory
3. Zeigarnik EffectWhen we finish a task:– We get closure
and stop thinking about it.
When we don’t finish tasks– We keep thinking
about them. We yearn for completion.
3. Zeigarnik EffectTherefore:• If your WIP = 10,
Even if you are only working on 1, You are still thinking of all 10
• Every increase in WIP= a) An increase in Technical Debtb) More work for us in the future
3a. Zeigarnik Side EffectIn order to get the feeling of completing something…
We look for things we can complete – even if those things are not priority items
4. MemoryThere are 3 things that help our memory: i. Coherence
ii. Concentration
iii. Sequestering
Credit Jim Bensonhttp://www.personalkanban.com/pk/expert/processing-and-memorypost-1-why-limit-wip-series/
i. Coherence
End to end vs. out of order
ii. Concentration
All at once vs. 2 minute segments
iii. Sequestering
Movie theatre vs. At home
Multi-tasking Destroys…
i. Coherence
ii. Concentration
iii. Sequestering
Limiting your WIP helps…
i. Coherence
ii. Concentration
iii. Sequestering
In Summary: Limit Your WIP
Starting things w/o finishing =
Finishing things =
Fostering Completion =
:( :) :)
Credit: Jim Benson
So… How Do I Say…
1. Esther Derby:– Stop saying yes to everything–When you say no, hold to it• If they learn they can pressure/convince you
once…
2. Johanna Rothman– If you are expected to run a project
without full time resources, say no. If management isn’t committed to the project…
– Saying no is difficult, but so is running a project with part time resources.
If you can’t say no…1. Suggestions from J.B. Rainsberger:–What’s the good business
reason to do this?–Why should I do this specifically
today?–What would be the consequence
of not doing this?
If you can’t say no…2. Suggestions from Esther and Johanna:– What should I stop doing?– I can do that instead of ____.
Which is more important?– I can do that, and here is how it will
affect _____ (other work, commitments, etc)
If you can’t say no…2. Suggestions from Esther and Johanna:– I can start on that project after
______.– When do you need this project?– Let me tell you when we can start
that project.
If you can’t say no…2. Suggestions from Esther and Johanna:– I can’t fit that project in right now, I
can do it ______– I can’t do that, but I can do this
_______
Need reinforcement?
Try Kanban - Visualize your workflow and your WIP
Thanks! More Info?• http://
winnipegagilist.blogspot.ca/2012/01/multitasking-game-handsnumberssong.html
• WinnipegAgilist.blogspot.ca– Search for “Multitasking game”– Game Credit: Alan Cyment– Also available on TastyCupCakes.org
• PersonalKanban.com– Jim Bensen– Tonianne DeMaria Barry
• Thinking, Fast and Slow– Daniel Kahneman
• Other Credits– Additional links for Jim, JB, Johanna, Esther articles can all be found on
the blog. above