Prioritising effectively and getting work done as managers

Overview
This article by James Samuel offers practical guidance for engineering managers and technical leaders on how to regain control over their time, prioritize work effectively, and ensure consistent delivery.

Key Takeaways

• Identify and eliminate low-value tasks that drain bandwidth.
• Apply a clear prioritisation framework (e.g., impact vs effort) to focus on high-impact work.
• Set realistic expectations with stakeholders and communicate priorities transparently.
• Build habits and rituals that protect manager time for strategic thinking.

Who Would Benefit

• Engineering managers looking to improve personal productivity.
• Technical leads responsible for coordinating multiple teams.
• Senior engineers transitioning into leadership roles.

Frameworks and Methodologies

• Impact-Effort matrix for prioritisation.
• Time-boxing and protected focus blocks.
• Regular cadence of one-on-ones and planning meetings.