There is a lot that needs to be done in the typical business each day, and with so many steps involved in each process, it can be difficult to stay on track. Without the right information, it is basically impossible to remain productive. To help keep up your productivity and morale, we’ve put together a guide to help you task out your objectives for this week’s tip.
The Ideal Task Formula
The consensus of many productivity experts and trusted names is that the equation to build out a task essentially looks like this:
Step + Detail + Deadline + Context = Task
This works well, as it can apply to either a complete project or each piece of a larger project. Let’s take a closer look at each part.
Step
Every task is going to feature some action or another, whether something needs to be researched, written, completed or reviewed. Essentially, this defines the “what” of the task at hand, the goal that the person assigned to it needs to accomplish.
Detail
This takes the step and builds it out with additional context and specificity. This might involve such details as:
- Who the task is assigned to
- Why they’re completing the task
- What contribution this task gives toward the final goal
- Where the assigned team member can find the resources needed to complete the task
Deadline
Of course, one of the most important details associated with any task is the date and time it needs to be completed. By specifying this, you prevent your projects from remaining in a holding pattern, moving them along.
Context
The final things you include in your task are the other important details surrounding it, such as how long is allotted to spend on it, any projects it is associated with and where it should fall in the assigned team member’s priorities. This enables the person you’ve assigned to better organize their schedule to make the most effective use of their time.
There you have it: How to task out your business’ processes for your team to reference as they follow your instructions. This process can apply to just about anything, if you are careful to follow the steps and provide a clear and comprehensive view of that which needs to be accomplished. The more information you provide, the better the outcome will likely be.
For more information to help you boost your productivity, and information about the tools that can help you to do so, check back at our blog!