To simultaneously increase employee productivity and well-being, numerous work methods have been developed. Some are so sophisticated that specific positions have been created for experts to teach them to staff members. They are primarily used for project tracking, but can be useful for other matters as well. Here’s a focus on the most well-known methods.
Waterfall
This method is probably the most widespread. In this case, tasks are completed one after another, strictly adhering to timing and sequence. While this method is extremely pragmatic, its downside is that it leaves no room for the unexpected. Yet this variable has an unfortunate tendency to be an integral part of all projects. Nevertheless, it remains a good method for getting started.
CPM – Critical Path Method
This method is extremely useful for setting a project’s end date and sticking to it. You must first list each project phase, note the relationships between them, and estimate how long they should take based on previous projects. This is therefore a method that becomes increasingly precise and effective over time. Next, within these tasks, you must identify those that are essential to the project. These will be labeled as “critical tasks.” These steps are the ones that must not take longer than planned, at the risk of delaying everything. However, the other steps can be extended without impacting the deadline.
Pomodoro
Notably used by developers, this time management method allows for increased concentration. The technique is simple: one pomodoro equals 25 minutes. After each pomodoro, take a 5-minute break. Then, after every 4 pomodoros, take a longer break of between 15 and 20 minutes.
Setting the timer helps engage intention and motivation. Subsequently, regular breaks allow you to:
- Rest your mind to be more efficient and approach things from a new angle
- Know exactly how much work you can accomplish in a given time, to better organize your work in the future
Agile
Agile work methods are a set of rules designed to accomplish a project. These methods are based on responsiveness, adaptability, and collaboration between the different parties working on the same project. People are placed at the center, before tools and processes. From these fundamentals stem rules such as process simplification, permanent adaptation of behaviors to improve efficiency, and so on.
Lean
Lean means “lean” or “waste-free.” It is a work method based on performance and waste-free management. But beyond productivity, this method particularly takes into account employee well-being. Lean has highlighted 7 common sources of waste for businesses: overproduction, unnecessary inventory, delays, unnecessary transportation, superfluous processing, unnecessary movements, and manufacturing defects.