Much of the knowledge work we do is invisible. In a typical office, people hunch over their computers or type on their phones, but what they’re actually doing is harder to see. So how can leaders tell whether the work is being done properly? And how can employees tell whether their work processes are functioning as well as possible? One method that both individuals and teams can use is to implement a visual system for tracking work. Whether it’s a cloud-based app like Trello or something closer to an agile project board, visual systems reduce the need for regular update meetings and memos, freeing up everyone’s time. They also help make timelines more apparent by plainly showing what’s happening in a process. If you have repetitive work with multiple steps to manage, consider whether a visual system would help you do it. You may be surprised how making work visible makes it easier to complete.
Adapted from "How Visual Systems Make It Easier to Track Knowledge Work," by Daniel Markovitz
