Technology As A Hidden Productivity Killer
Posted By Kate Armel on Wed, 2011-03-16 15:50<< QSM at SEPG | Main | Simpson's Paradox >>
Here are the results as of 3 pm today for our productivity poll. I was surprised to see that "Time slicing and multi-tasking" was far and away the most popular response!
When I framed the poll question, I was thinking of time slicing by policy (i.e., where management asks a single person to divide his time/attention between multiple projects). Viewed from a cost perspective, such assignments make perfect cents [pun fully intended] - especially for small or poorly capitalized projects. But from a productivity perspective, the constant distractions inherent in this kind of multi-tasking can result in less than optimal performance.
Carol Dekkers made me think of another possible explanation for the declining productivity we've seen over the last 15 years: the distraction of 24/7 online communication.
Since joining the world of social media I realize my “connectivity” has grown exponentially, but not all in a good way. Even with my SPAM filters set to high, I get so much email that it is overwhelming!
I feel like I must have ADD (attention deficit disorder) because my day is interruption after interruption (sorry TweetDeck!) and I need help (and I know I am not the only one!)
Fifteen years ago Blackberries, instant messaging, and multiple email accounts were more the exception than the norm. Looking down at the 8+ open programs in my taskbar, I have to wonder what effect increased technology and connectivity have had on individual productivity?
