7 Time and Energy Leaks — and How to Fix Them
Practical fixes that calm the day-to-day and give you time back.
At a glance
- Unclear Ownership: Map handoffs; make owners visible.
- Rework Loops: Add a simple definition-of-done.
- Tool Sprawl: Pick one home for work; set guardrails.
- Status Chasing: Use owner-updated boards; ping rules.
- Meeting Creep: Trim status by ~25%; move routine updates async.
- Onboarding Drag: Use a 30-day ramp with checkpoints.
- No Operating Rhythm: Add one weekly review; short daily owner updates.
1) Unclear Ownership & Handoffs
Work stalls at “who owns this?” Create a one-page handoff map so each step has a named owner and a simple “done” check.
2) Rework & Redo
“Almost done” reopens eat hours. Add a clear definition-of-done and a quick acceptance check before you hand off.
3) Tool Sprawl
Too many places to look means lost focus. Choose one hub for work and constrain the rest.
4) Status Chasing
“Where is that?” pings pile up. Make owners update the board and agree on when to ping—and when not to.
5) Meeting Creep
Updates that could live in the system. Cut status time by a quarter and move routine updates to async.
6) Onboarding Drag
Mentor time vanishes and new hires wander. Use a 30-day ramp with clear checkpoints and a buddy system.
7) Missing Rhythm
No cadence means fire-drills. Use one short weekly review and small daily owner updates to keep work moving.
Why this works
Interruptions have a restart cost. Smaller queues move faster. Clear acceptance cuts rework. Onboarding is smoother when time-to-productivity is tracked. The PDF shows quick ways to apply this in small, owner-led teams.
Sources
- Interrupted work carries a restart cost (Gloria Mark et al., CHI 2008).
- Smaller queues reduce lead time (Little’s Law).
- Clear acceptance reduces rework (software quality research).
- Onboarding improves when time-to-productivity is tracked (SHRM guidance).