Plan for the unexpected.”
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“In my first job as a software consultant, my boss told me to only plan for four days of work each week. I was confused – weren’t there five days in the work week? He said “Something always comes up.” And he was right! ”
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“Whether it was a new client, or an existing client with an urgent ask, there was always work to do on my so-called “free” day. And if nothing came up, I invested that time in my own development, or in building tools or infrastructure to help me deliver software more effectively. ”
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“If you’re in a volatile fast-moving environment (and who isn’t these days?), something unexpected always comes up each week. And if you’ve already committed 100% of your capacity that week, you either have to work 120%, or drop a commitment. Instead, I suggest building a buffer into your plan for each week to allow for the “unexpected” chaos bomb, and invest that buffer in building your own capacity if everything actually goes as planned.”
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“Amusingly, despite regularly sharing this wisdom with people, I only recently implemented it in my own business. It’s easier to give the advice than to apply it to myself, because “I can do more!” But I noticed how I was ending each week exhausted and drained, and I realized I already knew what to do.”
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“If people push back on planning for a buffer, start making the case by documenting the unexpected fire drills and other incidents that disrupt your work each week. Even if you can’t necessarily predict exactly what will disrupt your plan, you can make the case that something always does. ”
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“And if you do start planning for a buffer, let me know how it goes! ”
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“#leadership #capacity #planning #coaching #buffer