What do you do if you're overwhelmed with managing multiple projects at once?

Consider the Kanban method, which uses visual boards to represent tasks across stages like "To Do," "In Progress," and "Done." It prioritises continuous flow, allowing for flexible task management and clearer visibility of workloads and progress.

If overwhelmed with managing multiple projects, prioritize tasks, delegate where possible, streamline processes, set realistic deadlines, and communicate with stakeholders to manage expectations effectively.

Prioritize based on: i) Value at stake (VAS): combined risks, opportunities, cost of not doing associated with the task ii) Right to win (RTW): ability to complete the task successfully Prioritize then based on VAS/ RTW & allocate resources accordingly to ensure tasks are fully resourced

Here's what I do: I prioritize tasks based on what needs to be done first. Then, I break down big projects into smaller steps—it makes them less scary. I make sure to communicate with everyone involved so we're all on the same page. Using tools to keep track of everything helps too. But most importantly, I remember to take breaks and look after myself.

If you're feeling swamped with lots of projects, take a deep breath. Start by making a list of everything you need to do. Then, break it down into smaller tasks and prioritize what's most important. Don't be afraid to ask for help or delegate tasks to others if possible. And remember, it's okay to take things one step at a time—trying to do everything at once usually just makes things more stressful.

As mentioned earlier, you need to delegate some of the classified tasks to your Team and to your interns. You need explain to them clearly what is expected of them to complete the delegated tasks successfully and provide guidance, support and needed resources. With your empowerment and guidance, your Team will feel rewarded and perform better in their delegated tasks.

A predator is one which burns the least amount of calories to earn the most amount of calories. Focus your energy on tasks which will bring the most delta or requires your deeper inputs, delegate everything else.

Effective delegation is vital in managing multiple projects, allowing you to focus on strategic aspects. Identify tasks suitable for delegation, matching them with team members based on skills and availability. Clear instructions and defined expectations are crucial. Trust in your team's abilities and avoid micromanagement to foster a collaborative atmosphere. This approach not only lightens your workload but also empowers team members, contributing to the overall success of the projects.

Delegation is the cornerstone of efficient project management! Identifying tasks suited to your team's skills and capacity, coupled with clear instructions and trust, ensures smoother workflows. Delegation is meant to empower your team to higher levels of success!

Clarity in communication is vital for the successful outcomes in any project. Now that you are entrusted with multiple projects by your organization, you need to get all the projects successfully completed as per schedules. You need to provide a conducive work environment enabling your Team with freedom of expression and to offer unhindered suggestions and feedback. With clarity in communication, your Team can perform better in their assigned roles.

After you’ve prioritized tasks, take some time to write things down and communicate out. Sending out emails or updates is often a very low-lift, easy task to accomplish in short time which usually pile up and appear to threaten my sanity. Communicating out clearly helps you to get things off of your plate quickly which can take a significant amount of mental load off.

From my perspective, navigating the complexities of managing multiple projects necessitates a strategic approach. As I previously discussed under 'Prioritize Tasks,' the Kanban method emerges as a recommendation for its multifaceted benefits. Integrating technology, particularly project management software, amplifies efficiency by providing a holistic view of project progress and deadlines. Kanban boards offer a dynamic framework, fostering continuous flow and enhancing visibility across tasks. Embracing this methodology alongside technology not only streamlines task management but also cultivates collaboration, essential for achieving project success.

Leveraging technology is crucial for efficiently managing multiple projects in the digital era. Project management software offers a comprehensive view of all projects, enabling effective tracking of progress and deadlines. Features such as Gantt charts, Kanban boards, and integrated communication systems enhance scheduling, workflow visualization, and team collaboration. Automating routine tasks with these tools provides better oversight and streamlines project management processes, significantly boosting efficiency and productivity.

Recently i realised this after one senior manager highlighted it to me. It's important to communicate with the department effectively. Clearly communicate project status, deadlines and any challenges you are facing. Collaboration and support from the team can go a long way in overcoming such situations.

Meditate and find time to walk some in between tasks, it will help you relax and energise to keep you focused on your high priority tasks.

Beyond all this, you need to have strong governance mechanism defining the priority of project and thereby frequency and depth to review daily, weekly or monthly… with right mix of formal and informal meetings. Effective Delegation, Clear accountabilities help you to keep steering the ship in right direction. Celebration of milestones , due recognition and being grateful to all enablers helps better extended team camaderie and synergy. Plan for right breaks to reenergize and refocus. Shared learnings for short, mid and long term growth and development of team & self.

Prioritize ruthlessly. Identify the most impactful projects and focus on them. Delegate less critical tasks. Embrace the discomfort of saying "no" to additional commitments, ensuring you deliver excellence where it matters most.

When overwhelmed with managing multiple projects, it's helpful to prioritize tasks, break them into smaller, manageable chunks, delegate where possible, and use project management tools to stay organized. Also, consider setting realistic deadlines and communicating with stakeholders about any challenges you're facing. Remember to take breaks to avoid burnout.