Here's how you can effectively manage your time and resources using logical reasoning.

I remember back when, my first IBM Management Class, the instructor spoke of the A, B, Cs of effective management. That is sort your objectives and related tasks into three buckets. The As. Focus 75% of your time and attention. Many of these are the hardest, so be sure to force them on your calendar. For me Mondays were for the As. The Bs. Important but not as urgent. The mantra on these is don’t let them slip through the cracks. The Cs. For rainy days.

We all know the proverbial advice that we should spend time in the "important" quadrant and not in the "urgent" quadrant, however I can't help but wonder if those theorists had a real life and real problems to handle! It's a lofty idea to handle the important, not the urgent but I've become a specialist in trouble-shooting problems that were created by others. Hence, dealing with mostly urgent tasks. I usually tackle those that would take the least of my time. Get them out of my way. I have to consider the impact of delays and who do I want to upset the least, too. It depends on the relational capital I've build with my internal and external customers. Sometimes, I can afford another day delay or ask for a favor and buy more time.

When prioritizing tasks, consider using the 10/5 rule. Start by listing your top 10 tasks according to their timeline and importance. Then, from the top 10, select the 5 most critical tasks to focus on exclusively. Anything outside of the top 10 can be considered less important for the moment. This approach helps in allocating resources and time effectively, ensuring you achieve the desired results. It enhances productivity by preventing you from spreading yourself too thin and not completing any tasks.

Resources are key to any company/project growth/success. Efficient resource allocation is crucial for long-term growth. A well-calculated and logical approach to valuing and costing each resource is essential. Let's explore resource allocation in software development. Investing in tools that enhance development speed, debugging, and code quality is ultimately worthwhile from a return on investment (ROI) perspective. The focus should be on allocating resources to areas with the potential for significant returns. Never allocate resources where there won’t be any significant returns unless you are experimenting/Testing a certain service or product for a certain niche.

Resource allocation and the art of delegation are intrinsically linked in effective management. Resource allocation involves distributing available resources optimally to achieve strategic goals, while delegation entails assigning tasks to team members based on their strengths and capacities. Successful delegation ensures that tasks are performed efficiently by those best suited, enhancing productivity and resource utilization. Effective delegation also empowers employees, fosters skill development, and frees up leaders to focus on high-priority activities. Together, these practices ensure organizational resources are used judiciously, promoting efficiency and achieving objectives.

The term “WASTE” is self-explanatory. Don’t overextend yourself or squander resources on activities that don’t add value to your work. Consistently evaluate how you work, and regularly conduct priority, value, and cost assessments. The goal is to eliminate waste and focus on valuable practices and activities that enhance your work. Many people attempt to improve by mimicking others without evaluating and defining their own work methods, leading to inefficient outcomes.