Do more and do it quicker!

Post by Clare Goldstone | May 28, 2014

Lack of time issue for case management developers - become an expert time manager

As part of the recent VF Tech Ed feedback we asked our delegates the question “What is your biggest challenge?”. Reading through the feedback I found myself recalling my own experiences as an in-house developer and empathising each time the response related to 'lack of time'. 

Increasingly there is the expectation to do more and to do it quicker. For those involved in the development and implementation of case management systems, there is a level of irony, that where the key aim is to establish solutions that streamline processes and procedures, increase efficiency and optimise resources, there is often not enough time to achieve this goal proficiently. But perhaps the role actually provides us with the experience and knowledge to become expert time managers.

Since being converted to the wonders and benefits of case management over 12 years ago, I have increasingly been applying the tools and principles that are essential to a successful case management system to various aspects of my life (in and out of work) to assist me in my time management.

I have whole heartedly adopted the To Do list function that is a key aspect of Visualfiles. Some may perceive that writing lists of tasks that need to be accomplished is a displacement activity. But for me, defining what needs to be done, in a format that can be referred to and updated regularly, helps me maintain focus, classify priorities and goals and facilitate efficiency and effectiveness. Having a list means I don’t have to waste time remembering what needs to be done I can just get on and do.     

Another aspect of case management that I apply wherever possible is defining, refining, standardising and documenting processes and procedures. Now you may argue that surely this in itself is time sapping but, just like setting up a process or procedure as part of an application workflow  or completing data in a case, once the initial effort is completed it is there to be utilised and referenced by all that need it. Details will need to be reviewed and revised on occasion but  time (yours and others) is not wasted trying to remember or discover how, why, when and what.

Of course everyone is different and what works for one won’t work for all but perhaps take a step back, look at your workload and consider “How would I approach this if I was establishing a case management solution?”. There will most likely be a tactic that can be applied that will help free up a few precious moments which will allow you to take a quick breath before the next requests hit your desk!

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