Supply chain management (SCM) is a crucial aspect of modern business operations. It involves the management of materials, information, and finances as they move across the different stages of the supply chain. Successful SCM is essential for businesses to meet customer demand, remain competitive, and increase profits. In this article, we will explore the basics of SCM, its evolution, its five stages, and the key principles that make it efficient.
Understanding the Basics of Supply Chain Management
Supply chain management (SCM) requires efficient and successful coordination of all activities involved in the planning, sourcing, producing, delivering, and returning of products and services.
Definition of Supply Chain Management
SCM is a complex and multifaceted process that includes the coordination of various activities across different departments, organizations, and geographical locations. It encompasses everything from raw material sourcing to final product delivery and beyond. The ultimate goal of SCM is to create a seamless and integrated supply chain that delivers value to customers while minimizing costs and risks.
Optimal SCM requires a deep understanding of the entire supply chain, including all the players involved, their roles and responsibilities, and the various processes and systems that support the flow of goods and services. It also demands a strategic approach to planning, execution, and continuous improvement.
Key Components of SCM
The key components of SCM include planning, sourcing, making, delivering, and returning. All these components interact and rely on each other to enable smooth and efficient supply chain operations.
Planning: The development of a strategic plan for the entire supply chain, like forecasting demand, setting inventory levels, and determining production schedules.
Sourcing: Identifying and selecting suppliers, negotiating contracts, and managing relationships with them.
Making: The actual production of goods or services, including the management of manufacturing processes, quality control, and testing.
Delivering: Transportation and distribution of goods or services to customers, like logistics management, order fulfillment, and customer service.
Returning: Management of product returns, repairs, and recycling, mostly involving reverse logistics and waste management.
The Importance of SCM in Business
SCM is crucial for businesses to create value and remain competitive in today's fast-paced and globalized marketplace. Effective SCM can help businesses to optimize production, reduce lead times, improve quality and flexibility, and respond to changing market demands. It also enables them to manage risks and uncertainties, such as disruptions in the supply chain, natural disasters, and political instability.
Furthermore, SCM can help businesses to achieve sustainability and social responsibility goals by promoting ethical and environmentally friendly practices throughout the supply chain. This can include everything from responsible sourcing of raw materials to reducing waste and emissions in production and transportation.
SCM is a critical function for any business that wants to succeed in today's complex and interconnected world. By understanding the basics of SCM and its key components, businesses can optimize their supply chain operations and create value for their customers while minimizing costs and risks.
SCM has a long history, dating back to the Industrial Revolution during the 18th century. The development of transportation and communication technologies, such as railroads and telegraphs, enabled businesses to expand their markets and supply chains. Fast forward to the 20th century, globalization, digitalization, and outsourcing further transformed supply chain operations.
Technological Advancements in SCM
The rise of e-commerce, big data, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT) has created new opportunities for businesses to optimize their supply chain operations. These technologies enable real-time monitoring, tracking, and analysis of supply chain data, all of which enhance visibility and transparency. They also enable automation and collaboration, making supply chain operations more efficient and agile.
The Future of Supply Chain Management
The future of SCM is exciting and challenging. New technologies, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, augmented reality, and 3D printing, are likely to reshape supply chain operations. Businesses need to stay ahead of these trends and embrace innovation to remain competitive and relevant.
The Five Stages of Supply Chain Management
Plan
The planning stage is one of the most critical stages in supply chain management. It requires determining customer demand, forecasting sales, and developing strategies to meet customer needs. This stage requires careful analysis of market trends, customer preferences, and production capabilities. Companies must engage in identifying and selecting suppliers, estimating costs, and allocating resources to meet production targets. They must have a clear understanding of their goals and objectives to efficiently plan their supply chain strategies.
In this stage, companies need to think about the potential risks and uncertainties that may impact their supply chain. These risks can include natural disasters, political instability, or changes in consumer behavior. Streamlined planning can help companies mitigate these risks and ensure that their supply chain remains resilient.
Source
The sourcing stage involves acquiring the necessary raw materials, components, and services to produce the final product. This stage requires companies to establish relationships with suppliers, negotiate contracts, and ensure quality and compliance. Companies must also consider the environmental and social impact of their sourcing decisions.
Efficient sourcing can help companies reduce costs, improve quality, and increase efficiency. Companies must also ensure that their suppliers meet ethical and environmental standards. This can include guaranteeing that suppliers do not use child labor, pay fair wages, and comply with environmental regulations.
Make
In this stage, raw materials and components are transformed into finished products. This stage requires companies to oversee production schedules, quality control, and production costs. Streamlined production management can help companies reduce waste, improve efficiency, and increase profitability.
During the making stage, companies must also ensure that their products meet quality standards and comply with regulatory requirements. This can include guaranteeing that products are safe for consumers and comply with environmental regulations.
Deliver
The delivery stage includes transporting finished products to customers, warehouses, or retailers. This stage requires companies to direct transportation costs, delivery times, and customer satisfaction.
This stage also involves considering the potential risks and uncertainties that may impact a company’s supply chain. This can include delays in transportation, damage to products during shipping, or changes in customer demand. Successful delivery management can help companies mitigate these risks and ensure that their products are delivered on time and in good condition, while simultaneously reducing costs and increasing efficiency
Return
The return stage is comprised of managing product returns, repairs, or replacements. This stage requires companies to handle warranties, claims, and customer feedback.
In this stage, teams must assess potential risks and uncertainties that may impact supply chains. This can include defective products, customer complaints, or changes in consumer behavior. Effective return management can help companies mitigate these risks and ensure that their customers are satisfied with their products, while simultaneously reducing costs and increasing efficiency
Key Principles of Effective Supply Chain Management
Collaboration and Partnership
Effective supply chain management is not just about managing the flow of goods and services from suppliers to customers. It requires collaboration and partnership among all stakeholders involved in the process. This includes suppliers, customers, and other intermediaries. Collaboration and partnership enable the sharing of information, resources, and risks, and enhance trust and communication. By working together, businesses can optimize their supply chain operations and achieve better results.
Visibility and Transparency
Visibility and transparency are essential for efficient supply chain operations. Businesses need to have a clear view of all supply chain activities, from sourcing to delivery. This enables them to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement. Visibility and transparency also help businesses to manage risks and ensure compliance with regulations and standards.
Flexibility and Adaptability
Supply chain management is a dynamic and unpredictable process, and businesses need to be flexible and adaptable to changes in demand, supply, and technology. This requires agility, innovation, and proactive risk management to be able to respond quickly to changing market conditions and customer needs.
Continuous Improvement
Continuous improvement is essential for effective supply chain management. Businesses need to adopt a culture of continuous learning, experimentation, and innovation. This enables them to identify and eliminate waste, enhance efficiency, and improve overall performance. Continuous improvement also helps businesses to stay ahead of the competition and meet the evolving needs of their customers.
Conclusion
SCM is a complex and challenging process, but it is also essential for business success. By understanding the basics of SCM, its evolution, its five stages, and the key principles that make it effective, businesses can optimize their supply chain operations, enhance customer value, and remain competitive in a rapidly changing market.
Simplify supply chain management without compromising results. Supercharge your projects and profits by harnessing Wrike's capabilities. Get your free trial now and make a lasting impact.
Note: This article was created with the assistance of an AI engine. It has been reviewed and revised by our team of experts to ensure accuracy and quality.
Power the Modern, Agile Enterprise
Crush your goals and keep moving forward with Wrike's work management platform.
Wrike Team
Occasionally we write blog posts where multiple people contribute. Since our idea of having a gladiator arena where contributors would fight to the death to win total authorship wasn’t approved by HR, this was the compromise.
If you're feeling burned out, low on energy and ideas, and your to-do list is taunting you, then it's time to take action to get your productivity back. Watch this video for 6 very simple, no-sweat life hacks that will recharge your mind and morale.
Why These Productivity Tips Work
Here's the science behind these tips:
1. Sitting by a window keeps you focused 15% longer
It's all about getting some sun! A study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory reveals that people exposed to natural light experience an increase in energy, creativity, and productivity. People working in natural light keep at it 15% longer than the average worker under artificial light. Everyone needs a window seat!
2. Indoor plants improve creativity and health
According to a 2013 study, indoor plants improve creativity by 45%, also sharpening focus and concentration. Even better: they reduce fatigue, coughs, and sore throats by more than 30%, according to the University of Agriculture in Norway.
3. Looking at photos of nature sharpens focus by 20%
A study at the University of Michigan showed that looking at photos of nature, improves memory and attention scores by about 20% — that's not the case when viewing urban photos.
4. Eliminating browser tabs cuts down on distraction
Can't stay on task with (2) new notifications staring at you from your email tab? Use a browser add-on or extension that forces you to focus on one tab at a time, such as TabZolo. You'll eliminate the temptation to check those distracting notifications.
5. Going for walks can lessen fatigue
According to research from the University of Edinburgh, going for walks when you're tired — especially in places where there are lots of plants — can decrease brain fatigue, frustration, and give you a boost of much-needed energy.
6. Listening to ambient music or white noise increases focus by 35%
You already know that putting on headphones blocks out extra office noise. But when you make your music choices, remember that listening to ambient music or white/pink noise at low levels has been shown to improve your focus by 35%.
Need More Productivity Tips?
For a mega-list of ways to increase focus and engage your creative brain, look at our list of 44 productivity hacks.
Productivity
10 min read
How Goal-Setting Software Can Keep You on Track
Thinking about goals is easy, but setting and completing them is tougher. Only a mere 8% of people consistently achieve their New Year’s Eve goals, which, according to the Harvard Business Review, has a lot to do with a cognitive bias toward seeking unattainable benchmarks. In this article, we’ll teach you how to make your team members of that 8% by using goal-setting software to manage projects and keep collaborators on track. Keep reading for practical tips on how to overcome the most common challenges with free and effective goal-setting software tools.
What is goal-setting software?
Goal-setting software is a tool you can use to plan, track, and execute your goals. It often includes visual elements such as Gantt charts and project timelines that make it easy to see your team’s progress right in front of you. You can add details such as due dates and outside collaborators for when your goal requires a little extra help. You can also plan multiple goals at once and see how they all work together or against each other.
The advantages of goal-setting
A goal-based approach helps people reach their objectives and keep them on track over a period of time. It sets realistic expectations and encourages everyone involved to hold each other accountable. Plus, it turns ideas from inside your head to vivid plans that come to life in the real world.
As leadership expert Mark Murphy notes, “Vividly describing your goals in written form is strongly associated with goal success, and people who very vividly describe or picture their goals are anywhere from 1.2 to 1.4 times more likely to successfully accomplish their goals than people who don’t.”
Challenges of goal-setting
Creating goals is hard because we have so many traps that keep us from reaching them. From cognitive biases to conflicting priorities to unclear roadmaps, the chances of falling for one of the many common pitfalls of goal-setting are considerable.
From a management perspective, goal-setting software can help overcome the following challenges of goal-setting when working with a team:
Miscommunication regarding project files and due dates, plus roles and responsibilities that eat up valuable project time.
Unclear benchmarks and workflows that confuse instead of empower teams.
Vague KPIs that lead to unfocused work or results.
A waste of valuable resources like time due to poor management or communication.
Free online goal-setting tools
Free online goal-setting tools help you reach goals and motivate others. Unlike analog goal-setting, online tools help reinforce good habits teamwide and offer time-saving features such as built-in reminders. Tools like Wrike are compatible with the S.M.A.R.T. goal structure since they offer much more detail without overcomplicating plans to the point of futility. You can also modify your plans along the way with tools that forecast how changes will help or hurt your main objectives.
How to use Wrike as your goal-setting software
Wrike is a goal-setting software teams rely on to deliver high-quality work consistently and on time. Whether you’re managing one or one thousand individuals, having a goal-setting software makes it easier to organize, communicate, and fully achieve your vision. Not only do the visual elements hold users accountable, but they also offer in-depth analysis of workflows that simple pen and paper goal-setting systems simply cannot.
Here’s a quick summary of what you’ll need to do:
Create a shared folder to organize and manage your team's tasks.
Create a subfolder within that for your company's objectives.
Collect all the team's OKRs.
Connect each key result to a subtask.
And here’s the more detailed version:
Plan long term
Annual planning is an integral part of any business. It helps identify goals and objectives, and it coordinates the various activities of the organization. When competing priorities or inevitable roadblocks come up, your team will be able to make decisions based on what best serves these big-picture goals.
In Wrike, create a folder dedicated to your year goal plans then share it with the whole company. Or, if the information is meant only for a certain group, you can restrict which user groups will see what data in the field.
Inside that folder, create project groups or tasks for all of the major initiatives and goals of the year. You can also assign people to the task and set deadlines. After, use Custom Fields to create notes on budgeting, client feedback, and anything else stakeholders should know about.
Break big goals into smaller goals
Once you successfully brainstorm and narrow down your annual or long-term goals, you can break them up into smaller benchmarks. If you choose to create annual goals, we suggest breaking them down further into quarterly goals. Ideally, you will have only one or two big-picture goals that you can divide into four smaller quarterly phases.
For example, if your annual goal is to reach an additional $100,000 in revenue, you can divide that goal into quarterly targets of $25,000 each.
To organize all of this in Wrike, all you have to do is add subfolders within your annual folder for each quarter. Add ideas for action steps inside each dedicated quarterly folder. Once you've narrowed those down to only the most essential, you can then create tasks that each have their own due dates. Assign these tasks to team members before moving on to the next step. This will make them easier to track and help you organize your team’s workload.
Create your OKRs
If you're someone who likes to set goals and hit numbers (or if you work for someone who likes it when you do), then implementing an OKR system might be the way to go. OKR stands for objectives and key results. Creating an OKR is a lot like creating a broad Objective only the Key Results are more specific and can be used to support specific goals.
They are typically written out in this format:
Objective: A brief summary of the goal or subgoal in a sentence or a few words.
Key Result #1: A one or two-sentence summary of the measurable, specific, and attainable outcome that will be achieved once the goal is complete.
Key Result #2: As above
Key Result #3: As above
You’ll want to include one to three (three is most common) key results that are distinct from one another but still realistic. From there, your team members can choose to create their own individual OKRs.
Individual OKRs should be built by each team member based on their unique subgoals and mini objectives within the larger scope of the project. Creating these as part of your project kickoff will help everyone get on the same page from the beginning.
Pro tip: Key results should be a direct result of achieving the objective and not a by-product.
For example, if your objective is to bake a cake, an effective key result would be to eat a delicious slice of the cake after dinner this evening. An ineffective key result of cake baking would be to celebrate your friend’s birthday together. Although you may bring the cake to their party, the celebration would have happened either way and was not dependent on the completion of the cake.
Here are some additional tips for creating smart OKRs with your goal-setting software:
Make sure your Os and KRs are all actionable
Your OKRs should include ambitious stretch goals without going overboard
Use the Wrike Chrome Extension to create goals or key results related to any web page or any other application that uses HTML
Create team objectives that are aligned with the company's big-picture goals. You can do this by making sure to discuss these with all team members
Use specific metrics for your OKRs. These goals are specific and detailed, so they should be rooted in data so they can be tracked and measured
Wrike offers an OKR template you can use right within our goal-setting software
If you’re managing a multi-departmental or companywide project, ask teams to create their own Team OKRs folders. This will allow them to see their team's goals and contribute whenever possible.
Track progress with dashboards
In Wrike, create a My Objectives dashboard to keep track of all of your goals and tasks in one neatly summarized view. Use the table view to see all the tasks related to a specific folder plus start and due dates and the expected duration of each task. It also shows key stats such as the number of tasks needed for the project as well as who the tasks are assigned to for approval and completion.
If changes need to be made to a task list, drag and drop them to make it easier to organize and re-prioritize action items as needed. They will then automatically be reflected in your team's workspace. You can also make changes on the go with the Wrike mobile app, which updates the information across all devices and accounts in real-time.
As you hit goals and mark your tasks as complete in Wrike, the green progress bar will appear on the objective parent task until the goal is reached.
Reflect on and evaluate your progress
Your team's work shouldn't end when you check the Complete box. Instead, the work you’ve done on one goal should be used to inform the rest. Create a folder in Wrike where you can collect all the lessons you've learned so far, and share them with your team.
In addition to noting your observations manually, Wrike offers reports that make it easy to see your project outcome from every angle. Use Wrike Custom Fields to see which team or project supports each objective. These fields can then be used to generate insightful data that show how those goals impact the overall project or task's success.
This is also a great time to grade your teamwide and individual project OKRs. At the end of the quarter or year, ask everyone to come together and share their grades while explaining their key takeaways. Over time, teams will learn more about how they work individually and together, which will go a long way towards future collaborations.
Why is Wrike the best goal-setting software for managers?
With features such as visual goal timelines, OKR templates, and customizable workflows, Wrike is the best goal-setting software for managers and team leaders who want to successfully achieve what they’ve set out to do.
Ready to transform your team into a goal-getting machine? Get started and improve your success rates today by signing up for a free trial of Wrike.
Productivity
10 min read
What Is The Pomodoro Technique and How Does it Work?
Endless tasks and expectations from colleagues and employers can make getting things done hard. There’s always something else to add to your to-do list and, as that list grows, it starts to feel like there’s never enough time to do it all.
Productivity hacks can seem gimmicky and semi-helpful at best. But what if there was a time management strategy that could help you tackle your to-do list, meet others’ expectations, and help you feel more productive and balanced?
That’s where the Pomodoro Technique comes in. This popular time management strategy can help you better plan your workload, overcome distractions, and check tasks off your list. And it doesn’t require working overtime or jamming more work into your day. Instead, it encourages frequent breaks in between stints of work. Perhaps one of the best aspects about it is that it’s easy to use.
We’re here to help you make your workdays better and more productive. In this guide, we’re breaking down the Pomodoro method — how to use it, why it works, and its advantages and disadvantages. And don’t worry, we’ll cover what Pomodoro means while we’re at it. Add reading this guide to your list of to-dos for today, and let’s get started.
What is the Pomodoro Technique?
The Pomodoro Technique is a productivity or time management method created in the early 1990s by Francesco Cirillo.
A university student at the time, Cirillo struggled to focus and get his assignments done. Feeling overwhelmed, he realized he needed to try a new way of working and held himself accountable for committing to 10 minutes of focused time while studying. As he committed to the challenge, he found a tomato-shaped timer (you guessed it, Pomodoro is “tomato” in Italian), and the Pomodoro Technique was born.
Cirillo wrote an entire book about the Pomodoro Technique, but the gist of it is simple. The method encourages short bursts of manageable chunks of work with breaks built in between. With this method, you work for 25-minutes sessions separated by five-minute breaks. After every four or five Pomodoros (think of these as work sessions), you indulge in a more extended break for 15-20 minutes.
With a sense of urgency built into it, the method forces you to think through your to-do list and eliminate distractions while progressing on your tasks for a limited amount of time. And you can eliminate distractions knowing that you have breaks built into your day to look forward to. Let’s start by understanding what exactly the word “Pomodoro” means and where it came from.
What does Pomodoro mean?
Pomodoro quite literally means “tomato” in Italian. But what does a tomato have to do with time management?
Like we mentioned earlier, Cirillo used a tomato-shaped timer to help him manage his focused work time. He later named his famous technique after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer that helped him do his best work.
When we talk about the Pomodoro Technique, a Pomodoro also refers to one 25-minute focused work session. You’ll use a timer to work for one Pomodoro. Get it? Don’t worry — we’ll walk you through the nitty-gritty of how to use the Pomodoro Technique next.
How to use the Pomodoro Technique
One of the best parts of the Pomodoro Technique is that it’s super simple to use without any training. Depending on who you ask, these steps may vary slightly. But that’s one of the best parts about the method — you can customize it.
Here’s how Cirillo’s Pomodoro method works:
1. Make a list of the tasks you need to accomplish
To make the best use of your Pomodoro sessions, consider starting your day by creating a to-do list and outlining the tasks you need to accomplish. Don’t panic if your list becomes lengthy! Remember, you’re going to split up your work so that it’s more manageable throughout the day. You just need to make a note of what you need to accomplish today.
Tip: When you make a list of your tasks, think about how much time you need to complete each task. For example, one task might take you a full 25-minute Pomodoro. Or you might have three short tasks that you can group during one Pomodoro. Write down how many minutes each task will take. That way, you can pair up tasks that will take less than 25-minutes to complete. Your estimations don’t have to be perfect, but you want to avoid having gaps of time to fill or going past time during your Pomodoro sessions.
2. Set a timer for 25 minutes
You don’t have to mimic Cirillo exactly and use a tomato-shaped kitchen timer, but to live the complete Pomodoro Technique experience, give a real timer a try. It doesn’t matter if you use a virtual or physical timer; any will do. Here are a few options to choose from when selecting a Pomodoro Technique timer:
Pomodoro tomato timer
Online tomato timer
Focus Keeper app
Pomodoro Timer Lite app
The timer you use doesn’t need to be overly cumbersome or have any fancy capabilities, so don’t get caught up in the details. Keep it simple to make it most effective.
3. Focus on your tasks until the timer goes off
This is the tricky part. Once you’ve set your timer, you need to work on the task or tasks you’ve chosen for 25 minutes without any interruptions throwing you off track. Combating distractions is no easy feat, and it may take practice to nail this step.
Tip: If possible, alert those around you when you’re using the Pomodoro method. This can help reduce interruptions and external distractions.
If you find yourself with spare time during a Pomodoro and aren’t sure what to focus on, Cirillo recommends taking advantage of the opportunity for overlearning. Use the time to make improvements and tidy up your work, reflect on the tasks you completed, or make a note of what you’ve learned until the timer goes off. Use the 25 minutes as best you can and avoid starting your break early if possible.
4. Enjoy a short break for five minutes
You made it! Time is up and you can enjoy a break for five minutes or so. Consider using this time to use the restroom, grab a snack, or fill up your water bottle. Give your eyes a break and try to limit screen time if you can. Get up and stretch your legs or move your body around. Taking care of your well-being will help you stay motivated throughout the remainder of the day.
5. Repeat steps the first four steps
Are you getting the hang of it? Rinse and repeat the above steps. After you’ve completed four Pomodoros, skip step four and jump straight to step six.
6. After every four or five Pomodoros, enjoy a more extended break
You’ve earned it! Enjoy a longer, restorative break this time. Take 15-20 minutes to rejuvenate yourself. Maybe it’s time for breakfast or lunch. Or perhaps you want to spend a few minutes outside in the sun. Whatever the case may be, use your break wisely and prepare to jump into more Pomodoros after the break.
That’s it. The Pomodoro Technique is an easy-to-use system, which means there isn’t much of a learning curve to start using it to your advantage.
Does the Pomodoro Technique work?
It sounds simple, right? That means you might be asking yourself whether the Pomodoro method truly works or not.
Reviews of the method spread amongst the internet suggest that many have seen success when using the technique. One person found that the Pomodoro Technique was a great solution for monotonous tasks on the to-do list. Knowing that they only needed to work on a task for 25 minutes encouraged them to get started on those dreaded, tedious to-do’s. Another person found success using the Pomodoro Technique and later adapted the method to fit their specific needs. The Pomodoro Technique helped them define a practice of self-discipline to expand on and boost productivity.
But what is it about the Pomodoro Technique that makes it work? Studies suggest that brief mental breaks help keep you focused. Frequent distractions rob us of productivity at work, but the Pomodoro method helps eliminate distractions for more focus in the workplace.
As with any time management strategy, what works best for some may not work well for others. Give the Pomodoro Technique a try and tailor it to your individual needs to ensure it has the most payoff for you.
The advantages and disadvantages of the Pomodoro method
As with any time management strategy, the Pomodoro Technique has both benefits and drawbacks to consider before experimenting with it. Let’s take a look at both, starting with the advantages.
Advantages of the Pomodoro Technique
Break the habit of multitasking
When you follow the Pomodoro Technique, you’ll break the habit of multitasking. While multitasking might seem like a great way to get more done, it’s distracting and actually hinders your productivity. With the Pomodoro method, your goal is to dedicate your focus to any given task at hand — and save the rest of the items on your to-do list for another Pomodoro.
Reduce or prevent feelings of burnout
Looking at your neverending to-do list can feel overwhelming and stressful, and working through that list without a strategic plan in place can cause feelings of burnout. The Pomodoro Technique not only encourages frequent breaks but it builds them directly into your schedule for you. You can reduce or prevent stress and burnout by taking full advantage of your breaks when you have them.
Reduce procrastination
We all procrastinate now and then, but the Pomodoro Technique ignites a sense of urgency in the day, which reduces or eliminates procrastination. There isn’t any time to scroll through your favorite social media platform, grab another snack, stare out the window, or engage in another distraction when you know you only have 25 minutes to complete a task. (Don’t beat yourself up — we’re all guilty of these things!)
Disadvantages of the Pomodoro Technique
Some tasks take more than 25 minutes
The Pomodoro method is said to be beneficial for tasks like writing, coding, and studying. It also comes in handy when needing to work through some monotonous to-dos like cleaning out your inbox or digging into some administrative items. But some tasks are bound to take more than 25 minutes to complete, which means the Pomodoro Technique may not always work for every type of project or task. If you’re in the middle of a project and are in a solid flow state, you might want to keep working past the 25-minute timer mark, which will interrupt all subsequent Pomodoro scheduling. You know your work styles and productivity best, so you’ll be in charge of making the judgment call on whether you need to work past the timer’s buzz.
Meetings could interfere with your Pomodoro planning
The Pomodoro method sounds particularly beneficial to those who have full control over their schedules. But many career professionals are bound to be interrupted by planned and unexpected meetings. Your meeting schedule could interfere with how you plan your Pomodoros or could interrupt you in the middle of a Pomodoro session.
Every time management strategy comes with advantages and disadvantages, and no method is guaranteed to be one-size-fits-all. Since the Pomodoro method is easy and comes without cost, consider giving it a try to see if it works for you. Remember, you can always tweak it to suit you best.
How to use Wrike to plan your Pomodoros
To set yourself up for success when using the Pomodoro Technique, you’ll want to have a to-do list prepared. A project management tool like Wrike can help you organize your tasks so that you can dive right into your Pomodoros (without wondering what you should start with).
With Wrike, you can:
Manage and prioritize your work
Use templates to organize and break your projects down into manageable tasks
Track your time to understand how you’re spending it
Manage workloads with resource management capabilities
You’re on your way to a more productive workday. Start your free trial of Wrike and begin planning your Pomodoros today.
Get weekly updates in your inbox!
Start Enterprise Trial
Free 14-day trial, Easy setup, Cancel any time
Sorry, this content is unavailable due to your privacy settings. To view this content, click the “Cookie Preferences” button and accept Advertising Cookies there.
