Monday, November 6, 2023

Downtime

Downtime refers to inactive time between periods of work. It is also used to refer to unforseen time required between time slots.

So often, so many of us plan for time management for every detail but end up forgetting downtime. And then we are suprised by the delay caused by the time required in between.

For instance, in a program of multiple speakers, we allot time for each speaker but often forget the gap between one speaker completing and the next starting. Sometimes it is the walk to the lectern. Other times it could be unavoidable distractions.

Even if this downtime is of miniscule duration (maybe under a minute) but the cumulative of various downtimes ends up as a substantial amount.

You may have factored just a couple of minutes to fill up your fuel tank but the lines at the Petrol pump may lead to further delay. Now the extended downtime will undo your time schedule.

Hence for good time budgeting, we must factor for downtime, considering possibilities as well as surprise challenges.  


In time management don’t ignore the obvious

downtime can make the best plan superfluous

- Pravin K. Sabnis

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