Move three projects a mile rather than a hundred an inch. Taking on too many projects is one of the main downfalls of a lot of companies and departments. As a result, focus, resources, and energy become scattered, and employees can feel like they are pulled in a hundred different directions trying to accomplish all these projects.

When Steve Jobs went back to Apple and regained control as the CEO, he quickly discovered that they were trying to do too much. Apple was working on over 400 projects, and Steve’s leadership and focus had trimmed it down to 10. “People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on, But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are. You have to pick carefully.” Steve Jobs.

A consistent filter allows you to decide; is this a good idea for another time, or is this our next project.

In my program Managing Multiple Priorities, I provide a tool that project managers can apply right away with their teams. Below is an abbreviated version of it.

Project Filter: A process to clarify and organize your thinking

Goal

What result do you want to achieve?

Impact

What difference will this project make?

Criteria

What has to be true when this project is completed? Ask your team these three questions the next time you are in a project meeting and see if you all agree on the answers. My guess is this process will provide more clarity and cohesion among the team.

And before I go I’d like to leave everyone with a video message to help you calm your situation.

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