Let’s try to learn how to make the best use of this very precious “Resource” …

Premise

Today we hear more and more about “Time Management”: on the web we find a wide range of courses (more or less specialized) for Entrepreneurs and Managers on this very topical topic, given that in our current society, characterized by “speed” and “Multitasking”, “Time” has become one of the most precious “Resources”!

Definition of “Time Management”

“Time Management”, understood not only from the “Objective” point of view (“Chronological” Time measurable with Objectivity by appropriate instruments such as Watches, Stopwatches, Alarm Clocks, Hourglasses, etc.), but also and above all “Subjective” (Time “Perceived” by a Subject, which takes into account not only his / her personal age, but also the states of mind, emotions, as well as the conditioning of the external environment). Time Management can be defined as a “Time Planning, Management and Control Process used for specific Activities and aimed at increasing effectiveness, efficiency and personal and business productivity“.

The Outline of the Time Management Process in Companies

Time Management can be applied in all companies (whether they are large, medium or small sized) giving rise to an organizational process that can be broken down and analyzed in the following phases:

1. Mapping of the Activities Performed: through the recognition of the Work Duties of a specific Office and Department and subsequent Coordination with the other Company Functions (connected to it by Procedures).
2. Time Measurement: verifying and noting the Amount of Time needed to Optimize the Management of Business Activities and Processes (object of analysis through Time Management).
3. Identification of Priority Processes: based on the Vision, Mission and Company Strategy.
4. Use of Time according to Priorities: with the Eisenhower Matrix (level of “Importance” and “Urgency”).
5. Measurement of Performance: that is, of the Results obtained (with respect to the set objectives).
6. Feed-back on Time Management: if the Feed-back is “Positive” the Time Management has paid off, otherwise it means that it did not work and it is therefore necessary to re-examine and redesign some phases of the process.

Conclusions

Unfortunately, it is not enough simply to follow the Phases described above to be able to manage your time well, also because in practice there may be “internal” obstacles (linked to our “subjective” vision of time) or “external” (linked to “non-exogenous events. Predictable or Unmanageable”) that risk frustrating our efforts.