Being a project manager is easier if you are able to spot potential workforce performance trouble before it begins. The answer to a surprising question can help you identify potential negative consequences.
Which of the following is worse for your project?
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Workers who are overworked
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Workers who are bored
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Workers who are getting a feeling of accomplishment from their jobs
Interesting question, isn’t it? Turns out that a recent study by Sirota showed one of these criteria tells you which workers are probably involved in work that is a bad fit or where the process is poorly designed. Your project would suffer if either one of these situations existed. Those in jobs with bad fit or poor design have far lower job satisfaction, sense of accomplishment and pride in their employers compared to all other workers. They innovate less. They do not perform well and can bring their coworkers and team down with them.
Look for boredom – that is, workers reporting "too little work” – as your signal that negative consequences are likely from bad job fit and/or poorly defined work processes. You may have thought those who feel “overworked” are the ones that signal the major problem for a project. Not exactly, but more on that in my next post.
Posted on: February 22, 2008 09:52 AM |
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