Struggling to stay productive as a data manager?

No solo es muy útil separar el tiempo en bloques de actividades, sino también realizar una planificación previa, para que sea lo más eficiente posible. Además, al ya organizar el día con anticipación, permite organizar los bloques de tiempo dependiendo de la prioridad de las tareas, o de si se necesita completar una para poder continuar con la siguiente.

As a business administrator, I can attest to the fact that effective time management is crucial for maintaining productivity. Adopting the time blocking technique has been a game-changer for us. By breaking down our day into specific time blocks and dedicating each to distinct tasks—such as data analysis, report generation, and administrative duties—we've significantly reduced the inefficiencies associated with multitasking. This method not only helps us stay focused but also fosters a more organized and predictable workflow. Overall, time blocking enhances our ability to concentrate on one task at a time, leading to more efficient and effective workdays.

*Step back and look at the bigger picture* Review and organize your data processes: Take a step back and thoroughly examine your current data management workflows. Look for areas where you can streamline processes, automate tasks, or optimize data workflows to improve efficiency.

Organizing your workflow is crucial for maintaining productivity and efficiency. Start by prioritizing tasks and breaking down large projects into manageable steps. Use task management tools to create a clear schedule and set achievable goals with deadlines. By structuring your workflow and focusing on prioritized tasks, you can streamline your efforts and ensure that critical tasks are completed on time, ultimately leading to better project outcomes and reduced stress.

Un sistema que utilizo y que a mi me sirve, es el del "Scrumban". Se trata de usar metodologías ágiles, y complementarlas con tableros Kanban. Las tareas ya planificadas para el Sprint son las que vas a trabajar normalmente, pero te permite afrontar otras tareas no previstas, como pedidos de gerencia. Estas últimas, de carácter urgente, se ubican en el tablero Kanban.

Navigating a multitude of tasks can be overwhelming, so prioritization is essential for maintaining productivity. Implementing the Eisenhower Matrix can be instrumental in managing your workload effectively. By categorizing tasks into urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important, we can clearly identify what demands our immediate attention and what can be scheduled or delegated. This systematic approach ensures that you concentrate on high-impact activities, avoiding distractions from less critical tasks, and enhances our overall efficiency and effectiveness.

Sometimes we neeed to make a list of everything we've done in a week and ask ourselves what could be delegated or automated. After all, as a manager or leader, i need to focus on tasks that only i can do or where my contribution is most important to the project or team.

You could upskill and learn new technologies: Use this time to learn new data management tools, techniques, or programming languages that could enhance your capabilities. Taking online courses, attending webinars, or pursuing certifications can keep you engaged and expand your skillset.

En mi opinión, no hay que "casarse" con una herramienta o plataforma, sino con las metodologías de trabajo que queremos implementar. Saber que queremos resolver y/o hacer, y en base a eso planificar como queremos trabajar, para poder realizar estas automatizaciones de procesos. Cuando ya sabemos y entendemos los conceptos y procedimientos para automatizar, por ejemplo con pipelines, casi cualquier herramienta específica vamos a poder utilizar.

Embracing automation can be a key factor in enhancing your productivity. Automating repetitive tasks such as data entry and report generation frees up valuable time and minimizes the risk of human error. By investing in the right tools and dedicating time to learn how to use them effectively, we can streamline our workflows and ensure greater accuracy. Exploring automation solutions tailored to our specific needs will prove to be a worthwhile investment, allowing you to focus on more strategic aspects of data management and improve overall efficiency.

In the ever-changing world of data management, keeping up with new tools, technologies, and best practices is more than just a necessity—it's an exciting opportunity. Taking time for continuous learning and professional development is like investing in your own growth and staying ahead of the curve. Embracing this journey of learning not only enhances your skills but also keeps the work engaging and relevant in a field that’s always evolving.

To effectively work towards a bigger picture, reach out to teams in other departments who may benefit from your data expertise. Offer to assist them with their data-related tasks or collaborate on cross-functional projects.

Considero que un hábito saludable que no se puede negociar, es formar grandes equipos de trabajo. Que el grupo sea otro factor más para ir a trabajar motivado todos los días.