Blog Post

Prioritization 201

Shawn Sommerkamp • Mar 31, 2017

In a previous post, we covered how to use REPS to keep the stress low and first things first, a way to think about prioritization. Of course, it was labeled 101 because it is more of a basic-level way of managing duties. As you gain more direct-reports, territory and financial responsibility, you will see that mastering prioritization is one of your most valuable assets.

For this post, we will go to the next level in managing priorities – Prioritization 201!

The very nature of our hyper competitive marketplace requires us to be constantly available to a whole host of demands, meetings, calls and deliverables. This includes both internal and external customers too. We are often required to make tough decisions about who will get our time and who will not. We prioritize the best we can and sometimes leave someone disappointed. There isn’t enough time in the day…or is there?

So how can you manage the never-ending demand for your time and activity? Is it possible to give everyone what they want? Believe it or not, you can actually say “yes” to everyone who asks for your support. The key is making sure they understand WHEN you will be able to deliver.

In the world of project management, this is known as the Iron Triangle. Inside the area of the triangle is found task Quality.

The three sides of the triangle are Time, Scope and Cost. In order to maintain project quality, the three sides of the triangle must be fixed. As soon as one of the sides is changed, the only way to maintain the area of the triangle (project quality) is to change at least one of the other sides.

For example, a customer wants you to compress the delivery time of your task by one week. That means they are asking you to make the Time side of the triangle shorter. In order to maintain task Quality, you have to change at least one of the other sides, Scope or Cost. In real world terms, to compress a timeline means the scope of the task has to be lessened, or they have to pay more money to get the task accomplished sooner.

Accept the task, and put it in your calendar. If the requestor wants it sooner or cheaper or bigger, you can still say “yes”. You will just let them know what will be sacrificed in order to maintain quality.

Shawn Sommerkamp is a motivational speaker and Executive Coach with 20+ years of Fortune 100 leadership experience. He founded Motivationeer™ to coach Christian professionals how to use their career to glorify God and support local church growth.

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