How can manufacturing operations professionals develop their time management skills?

1 Assess your current situation

The first step to improve your time management is to understand how you currently spend your time and what are your main challenges and opportunities. You can use tools such as a time log, a calendar, or a task list to track your activities, deadlines, and interruptions for a week or two. Then, analyze your data and identify patterns, trends, and gaps. For example, you may find out that you spend too much time on low-value tasks, that you have frequent and unnecessary meetings, that you struggle with distractions or procrastination, or that you have unrealistic expectations or goals.

2 Plan your work and work your plan

The second step to improve your time management is to plan your work ahead and follow your plan as much as possible. You can use tools such as a Gantt chart, a Kanban board, or a project management software to organize your tasks, projects, and resources. You should also set SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) goals and objectives for yourself and your team. Then, prioritize your tasks according to their urgency and importance, using tools such as the Eisenhower matrix, the Pareto principle, or the ABCDE method. Finally, schedule your tasks in your calendar, allocating enough time for each one and leaving some buffer time for contingencies and emergencies.

3 Execute your tasks efficiently and effectively

The third step to improve your time management is to execute your tasks in a way that maximizes your efficiency and effectiveness. You can use tools such as the Pomodoro technique, the batching method, or the time blocking method to focus on one task at a time and avoid multitasking, which can reduce your performance and quality. You should also manage your energy levels, taking breaks, eating well, sleeping enough, and exercising regularly. Moreover, you should delegate or outsource tasks that are not within your core competencies or responsibilities, and communicate clearly and assertively with your stakeholders, setting boundaries and expectations.

4 Evaluate your results and adjust your actions

The fourth step to improve your time management is to evaluate your results and adjust your actions accordingly. You can use tools such as the PDCA (plan-do-check-act) cycle, the feedback loop, or the after-action review to measure your progress, outcomes, and impacts. You should also collect and analyze data and feedback from your customers, managers, peers, and subordinates, and identify what worked well and what needs improvement. Then, you should celebrate your achievements, reward yourself and your team, and learn from your mistakes and failures. Finally, you should update your plan, goals, and priorities based on your evaluation and feedback, and implement changes and improvements.

5 Learn and apply best practices and tips

The fifth step to improve your time management is to learn and apply best practices and tips from experts, mentors, and peers. You can use tools such as books, podcasts, blogs, courses, webinars, or workshops to gain knowledge and insights on time management techniques, tools, and habits. You should also network and collaborate with other manufacturing operations professionals, sharing your experiences, challenges, and solutions. Moreover, you should seek and offer coaching, mentoring, and support to others, and adopt a growth mindset, which means being open to learning, experimenting, and improving.

6 Develop and maintain good habits and routines

The sixth and final step to improve your time management is to develop and maintain good habits and routines that support your time management goals and strategies. You can use tools such as the habit loop, the habit tracker, or the habit stacker to create and reinforce positive habits that enhance your productivity, quality, and satisfaction. You should also avoid or eliminate bad habits that hinder your time management, such as procrastination, perfectionism, or indecision. Furthermore, you should create and follow routines that help you start and end your day well, such as a morning ritual, a daily review, or a bedtime routine.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?