We all start strong with new systems or productivity tools, but it doesn’t take long before something gets in the way. Maybe it’s an unexpected obstacle, or a dependency on someone else’s work. Whatever the case, these blockers can derail our momentum and leave us feeling stuck.
In fact, the average worker spends 28% of their workweek on tasks delayed by unnecessary blockers, such as waiting for feedback or attending meetings. That’s over 11 hours a week lost! These numbers highlight the significant impact that unresolved blockers can have on your productivity. But the good news is that with the right approach, you can drastically reduce these inefficiencies and overcome Blockers and Dependencies
The Cost of Blockers and Dependencies
According to a study by McKinsey & Company, employees lose about 28% of their time to unnecessary meetings and delays.
The American Society for Quality reports that poor communication can lead to a 25% loss in productivity.
The Project Management Institute estimates that organizations waste 11.4% of their investments due to poor project performance, much of which stems from unaddressed blockers.
A Simple Story of Overcoming Blockers and Dependencies
Let me tell you about Sarah (name changed), a project manager in a busy marketing team. Like many of us, she often felt overwhelmed by her to-do list. Tasks would start strong but then hit roadblocks due to waiting for approvals or feedback. As a result, her workload just kept piling up.
Determined to make a change, Sarah set up a visual board to track her tasks—identifying what she could work on versus what was stalled. She discovered that over 50% of her tasks were waiting on others. With this newfound visibility, she started communicating dependencies to stakeholders more effectively, addressing blockers earlier, and focusing on what she could control.
Within weeks, Sarah saw a remarkable improvement in her productivity (and mental health), completing more tasks and reducing her stress. Her team noticed too, and some began adopting similar practices.
This story illustrates how individual efforts can lead to significant progress. However, when an entire team adopts these practices, the impact is even greater. Collective awareness of blockers and dependencies not only improves individual performance but also enhances overall team productivity and morale.
Practical Tips and Recommendations
Identify Blockers Early: Regularly review your tasks and spot potential blockers before they escalate. Consider holding short daily stand-ups with your team to discuss obstacles.
Communicate Dependencies: Establish clear lines of communication about dependencies. Regular check-ins can ensure everyone knows their role and when to expect input from others.
Break Down Tasks: Simplify larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps. This allows you to continue making progress, even if some components are stalled.
Visualize Your Workflow: Use visual tools like Kanban boards to track your tasks and blockers. Seeing everything laid out can help you manage your workload better.
Encourage Team Collaboration: Foster an environment where team members feel comfortable discussing their blockers. This collective approach can lead to creative solutions and shared accountability.
Conclusion
Blockers and dependencies are an inevitable part of any workflow, but with the right strategies, you can keep moving forward. Individual efforts, like Sarah’s, can lead to personal success, but when the whole team works together to identify and manage obstacles, the results can be transformative.
Want to learn more about how to stay consistent and handle obstacles? Check out our Kanban courses and discover how this method can help you take control of your tasks!
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