how do you determine priorities and schedule when under pressure?

Question

this is an interview question

Answer 1

Time is of the essence.See if any jobs will help another job on your to-do hot list even if one has a lower priority.I really need more info.When you say "pressure" do you mean social pressure or management pressure or time scheduling.With time management try and identify where any potential bottlenecks might occur,inform your contacts in advance that there may be delays in fulfilling obligations.With time sensitive issues then you really have no choice but to do them in date order and work like heck to clear them through your admin. system,even if it seems like there's a bigger job to tackle.In my experience of being faced with a ton load of to-do jobs all requiring "immediate action" then i 1)write a list of them.2)see which ones can be resolved quickest or simplest3)see what has to be sorted by a specific date.In future keep a tighter grip on your timeline so that you can foresee and prepare for any work holdups.

Answer 2

To start with a very very simplistic answer -

approach this from both sides - look not only for what you have to do but also for what you can leave, at least for the time being

1 Essential = "the world will fall apart if this isn't done today"

2 Non-essential = "this can be left for now"

3 things in the middle.

Your priorities will also need to take into account who asked you to do the things;

Highest priority - things your boss asks you to do
Middle priority - things you decide you need to do
Lowest priority - things your staff want you to do

Less simplistically -

But life isn't normally so simple that those three categories are independent of each other - usually there is overlap so you need to make judgements. As you get to know and understand your work better you will be able to improve your judgement about prioritising work.

The real skill is in deciding on priorities when you don't have all the information you ideally need about all the things facing you - and normally you WON'T have all the information you ideally need.

However, is it essential that you do make decisions reasonably quickly rather than dithering about what to do. Your judgement about business priorities, available resources and balancing competing business needs will help you reach decisions quickly on only partial information. You WILL get it wrong sometimes, usually because of something you didn't know at the time you made a decision which turned out to be an important factor.

Fear of making mistakes makes people ineffective managers.

Do not be afraid of making a mistake - but do not make the same mistake twice. People who don't make mistakes don't make anything.

Be decisive. Trust your judgement. Learn from your mistakes. And even when under pressure - take SOME time to think Thinking is important.

Delegate - upwards (sometimes) as well as downwards. Delegating isn't easy as others don't do things the way you would. But you can't do everything yourself - so use the staff or other resources available to you to help you achieve more. You have to let go and let others do some work for you. That's management.

Good luck in the interview.

Answer 3

Priorities should be established by your superior in the event you cannot make deadlines. List your tasks and base "YOUR" priorities on anything that impacts 1) Customer service 2) impact to profit 3) Quality 4) Interdepartmental priorities. Take this list with a ranking criteria that you have established and review it with your boss. Ask your boss if they agree with your priorities and re establish your deadline dates. Get concurrence and complete accordingly. If your time is being wasted based on non value added activities start listing what these time drainers are and reduce or eliminate the activities that are causing this.
Take some time management training and get on track, effective use of timing is critical within any career and needs to be your top management issue. Once time is lost you have no way of ever gaining it back.

Answer 4

Prioritise in order of importance and deadline - making sure you get clarity on both with your manager and checking your subsequent prioritisation with them as appropriate.

When under pressure you take a couple of minutes to collect your thoughts and focus so that you can work effectively and then you just keep at it until the job is done avoiding distractions.

Good luck with that interview :-)

Answer 5

This has to do with time management. Are you good at managing your time?
How Well Do You Work In A Stressful Environment? - Most jobs carry an element of stress whether its working to very tight deadlines or your in a position where by you are handling lots of different projects and having to manage your time effectively. Your answer to this question should encompass examples of situations where you have operated well under stress and also point out that you get a buzz out of a working in stressful environment as it keeps you mind focused and it assists you in your performance.

Answer 6

1 The absolutely essential - the project cannot work without these items.
2 The desirable - those items which enhance the project .
3 The unimportant - things which can be delayed without compromising the project.

Answer 7

In the order of importance.

Answer 8

I study my bible, pray and seek guidance from my husband.