7 secrets to master timeboxing

Timeboxing is a simple technique, but it has its challenges when implemented in practice. This article lists some typical challenges when timeboxing and how to master them. It’s a destillation of many years of experience in applying the technique in practice.

What is timeboxing?

Timeboxing is a very simple technique to manage time and become more productive. The idea is to allocate a certain amount of time to an activity in advance and then complete the activity within that time frame. One example is to plan a meeting agenda and determine up front, how long you want to work on each topic. During the meeting you then set a timer and when time is up, you move on to the next topic. In theory it sounds simple, but in practice it can be hard. Let’s look at some typical challenges and how to master them…

1. Hard and soft time boxes

A deadline is negative inspiration. Still, it’s better than no inspiration at all.
–Rita Mae Brown

There are two types of time boxes: „hard time boxes“ and „soft time boxes“. The terms hard and soft refer to how you handle the end of a time box:

• When a soft time box ends, you allow the current point in discussion or the current task at work to…