As a BA, I have to often tackle the issue of competing project deadlines. Here’s my plan. 1. Identify significance and importance of task - Take a strategic look and recognize the equivalent dates. 2. Develop a prioritization scheme - Consider the number of projects based on impact urgency and risk. 3. Resource alignment - Determine maximum capacity and skills of my teams. 4. Communicate - Inform stakeholders of priorities & negotiated timelines, if required. 5. Workload management - Map team skills to project needs. 6. Constant review - Ongoing monitoring of priorities as new data becomes available. 7. Effective management - Inform the team of the priorities established, amendments made and other relevant issues.

When everything feels urgent, I take a step back to assess what truly needs immediate attention. I focus on tasks that have the biggest impact and prioritize based on deadlines and importance. Breaking down large tasks into smaller steps helps make them more manageable. Communication is key—I often clarify deadlines to avoid unnecessary pressure. Delegating tasks when possible also frees up my time. Lastly, I block out time for critical tasks and stay calm, which helps me focus and make better decisions.

I have experienced it multiple times, when you’re juggling conflicting deadlines, prioritizing your team’s needs as a servant leader starts with clear communication and empathy. When everything feels urgent, share your prioritization criteria with stakeholders and your team to align expectations. Assess the urgency and impact of each project task & ask what truly drives the project or organization’s goals. Collaborate to break down tasks, identify quick wins, and delegate based on individual strengths. Engage with your team to understand their workload, stress points, and resource gaps. By removing obstacles, offering support, and fostering open communication, you can guide the team through high-pressure moments.

When juggling conflicting deadlines, I prioritise by assessing both urgency and team well-being. I check in with each team member to understand how they’re coping, ensuring no one is overwhelmed. I focus on tasks with the highest impact, while maintaining open communication with stakeholders about shifting timelines. Breaking projects into smaller, manageable tasks helps keep progress visible and stress lower. Ultimately, I believe in balancing empathy and efficiency to ensure quality and team morale.