You’re working with a partner and you have to prioritize deadlines. What are your best options?

1 Communicate clearly

The first step to prioritizing deadlines is to communicate clearly with your partner about the scope, expectations, and progress of the project. Make sure you both understand the goals, deliverables, and timelines of each task and how they relate to the overall outcome. Use tools like calendars, task lists, or project management software to keep track of the deadlines and update each other regularly. If you encounter any issues, delays, or changes, inform your partner as soon as possible and discuss how to adjust the plan accordingly.

2 Align your priorities

The next step is to align your priorities with your partner and agree on what is urgent, important, and optional. A useful framework to do this is the Eisenhower matrix, which helps you categorize tasks based on their urgency and importance. Urgent and important tasks are those that need to be done immediately and have a high impact on the project. Important but not urgent tasks are those that contribute to the long-term goals and quality of the project, but can be scheduled for later. Urgent but not important tasks are those that demand your attention but have a low impact on the project. These can be delegated or minimized if possible. Finally, not urgent and not important tasks are those that are irrelevant or distracting and should be eliminated or avoided.

3 Divide and conquer

The third step is to divide and conquer the tasks according to your skills, preferences, and availability. Assign each task to the person who is best suited to do it, or split it into smaller subtasks that can be shared. Make sure you both have a clear understanding of who is responsible for what and when it is due. Avoid overlapping or duplicating work and respect each other's boundaries and work styles. If you need help or feedback from your partner, ask for it in advance and be respectful of their time and input.

4 Review and revise

The final step is to review and revise your deadlines regularly and make sure you are on track to meet them. Monitor your progress and performance and compare them with the original plan and expectations. Celebrate your achievements and acknowledge your challenges. Learn from your mistakes and successes and identify areas for improvement. If necessary, update your deadlines and priorities based on new information, feedback, or changes in the project. Keep your partner informed and involved in the process and seek their input and support.

Working with a partner can be a rewarding and productive experience if you know how to prioritize deadlines effectively. By communicating clearly, aligning your priorities, dividing and conquering, and reviewing and revising, you can ensure that you both deliver quality work on time and achieve your goals.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?