
Henry J. answered 04/20/19
Project Management Expert (Especially Innovation)
Having a list of tasks to work on is the most efficient method. Here is the technique I found most useful with my teams. I create lists with my team members, meet with them daily (stand up meeting using the Agile method), we prioritize the lists, they are allowed and encouraged to shift priorities when they hit road blocks, and we have a goal to complete a number of tasks by a date. Here is an example. I had a team that needed to create over 80 drawings in a short time. So I worked with the team to determine how many we could do in a week- on the average. They determined that they could do 6 per week. So my goal was by Friday that 6 would be done and it did not matter which 6. Yes this puts a lot control in their hands- but that is the point. I develop teams to be empowered and internally motivated. By doing this they accomplish more and take the time to make sure we do not miss anything. External motivation (common with handing out a single task) means people do only enough to get someone off of their back and ignore other problems. My team members are happier and more productive.