Industrial Time Management Skills

Time management is an important part of maintaining productivity within the workplace. With the proper allocation of time companies can accomplish more projects that are beneficial to their needs. When looking at wasted time throughout a corporation a significant proportion of this limited resource simple goes down the drain with little benefit. Proper time management is a skill that can be learned on an organizational and individual level and should be fostered for higher performance.

At an individual level a person can gain a sense of mastery and accomplishment by having time-management skills that make it easier for them to navigate their day. Research has indicated that time management training, based upon psychological theory, increased perceived control of time and decreased stress (Hafner & Stock, 2010). The type of skills learned varied in ability and effectiveness yet the findings remained relatively consistent across the spectrum.

Since time management raised masterly of their work environment and decreased stress there are some secondary benefits to training for appropriate skills. On an organizational level this time training can lead to higher levels of organizational accomplishment and systematic improvements in efficient functioning. The development of organizational time management starts at the top on the macro level and managed minutely by individuals. 

The tackling of poor time management is important as an industrial management technique. Time scarcity and misallocation are systematic problems in organizations (Bevins & Smet, 2013). Based upon a survey of executives they found that it is beneficial to allow for time budgets that encourage the focusing on important projects that help the organization succeed. Doing so reduces waste throughout the company.

Industrial time management starts with the board and top executives who allocate the tasks and time of the management team (Bregman, 2013). The goal is to ensure that their allocation of time is properly aligned with strategic objectives and not wasted on less important endeavors. It doesn’t mean that all of the time is allocated to specific projects but that each project requires a particular investment of the manager’s time to maintain focus. 

At a personal and organizational level time management creates additional efficiencies in organizational functioning. Despite these benefits many organizations have not effectively trained their managers well or developed time budgets. Considering time management as a systematic policy can help encourage greater focus on strategic objectives and reduce organizational waste. Such techniques should be incorporated into organizational training plans. 

Bevins, F. & Smet, A. (2013). Making time management the organization’s priority. McKinsey Quarterly, 1.

Bregman, P. (2013). A personal approach to organizational time management. McKinsey Quarterly, 1.

Hafner, A. & Stock, A. (2010. Time management training and perceived control of time at work. Journal of Psychology, 144 (5).