Time Wasters Workshop

Welcome to the Time Wasters Workshop, a comprehensive template designed to help product managers, engineers, and project managers identify and address common time wasters that hinder productivity and efficiency in their work environments. This workshop is specifically tailored for agile teams seeking to optimize their workflows and eliminate unnecessary bottlenecks.

How to use this template

Follow the steps below to get the most of this template for you and your team.

1. Familiarize yourself with the concepts

Start by reading through the 11 common time wasters provided in this template. Reflect on how these concepts manifest in your current work environment. This sets the foundation for understanding the specific challenges your team may face.

2. Individually rank the time wasters

Each team member should individually rank the identified time wasters, placing the most significant causes at the top and less concerning items at the bottom. This will help prioritize the areas that require immediate attention.

3. Identify the team's collective top 3 time wasters

As a team, come together and discuss individual rankings. Through consensus, identify the team's collective top three time wasters. Consider removing items that are not of concern to narrow down the list of candidates. This ensures alignment and shared understanding among team members.

4. Brainstorm Solutions for the Top 3 Time Wasters

Create separate lanes for each of the top three time wasters identified. Engage in a brainstorming session to generate ideas on how to remove these time wasters, mitigate their effects, or identify triggers associated with them. Encourage open communication and collaboration.

5. Generate Experiments and Gather Data

For each identified time waster, create an experiment that can be carried forward into the next iteration. Define specific actions or behaviors to address the time waster and articulate the expected outcomes. Establish acceptance criteria and set a timebox for evaluating success. Continuously track and report on the results to drive improvement.

6. Track Experiments and Report Back

Regularly track the progress of the experiments implemented to address the time wasters. Conduct periodic check-ins to evaluate the outcomes and measure success against the defined acceptance criteria. Use this data to inform future iterations and refine strategies for optimizing productivity.