Maker’s vs Manager’s schedule
Agile DevOps Leadership Lean Management Prioritization

Maker’s vs Manager’s schedule

The differences between a maker’s and a manager’s schedules stem from their respective workflows’ distinct nature. Makers rely on uninterrupted time blocks to tackle complex, creative problems requiring deep focus and sustained attention. Managers need flexibility to oversee multiple responsibilities, make decisions, and collaborate effectively across teams. As such, it is essential to thoughtfully assess...
Read more
Get PDF
Tags
Agile Deep Work Flow Leadership Makers Managers schedule Makers Schedule Managers Schedule Poster Scheduling Software development State Of Flow
Article

The differences between a maker’s and a manager’s schedules stem from their respective workflows’ distinct nature. Makers rely on uninterrupted time blocks to tackle complex, creative problems requiring deep focus and sustained attention. Managers need flexibility to oversee multiple responsibilities, make decisions, and collaborate effectively across teams. As such, it is essential to thoughtfully assess how scheduling a meeting might impact these differing approaches to productivity.

Schedule aspects

Aspect Maker’s Schedule Manager’s Schedule
Time Blocks Long, uninterrupted blocks (typically half or full days) are necessary to focus on complex tasks such as writing or coding. Makers thrive on having extended time to engage deeply with their work. Divided into smaller intervals (e.g., 30-60 minutes) to accommodate meetings, quick tasks, and check-ins, allowing managers to oversee multiple areas.
Focus Requirement Requires deep concentration without interruptions. Creative processes need a significant period to achieve “flow.” Handles multiple tasks and contexts; interruptions are normal and don’t disrupt the flow of work as much.
Scheduling Approach Prefers minimal scheduling to protect time for deep work; meetings are seen as a disruption. Requires frequent meetings for communication and decision-making, with schedules structured around availability.
Output Delivers high-value, creative outputs like code, designs, or written work, which benefit from extended focus. Produces decisions, manages resources, and ensures project coordination, which benefit from frequent touchpoints.
Impact of Meetings Even a single meeting can disrupt the day, as it breaks the flow needed for complex tasks. Meetings are integral and often define the structure of the day, allowing for progress tracking and team management.
Preferred Work Style Best suited for tasks that demand immersion and a linear approach to problem-solving. Suited to tasks involving quick decision-making, multi-tasking, and context-switching.
Typical Roles Examples include software developers, writers, artists, and researchers, who need to protect their deep work time. Roles such as project managers, executives, and team leads, who need to oversee and coordinate various functions and people.
Resources
paulgraham.com scrum.org atlassian.com

Similar posters

CIDI Framework
CIDI Framework The CIDI framework is a systematic approach for crafting AI prompts that consists of four key elements: Context (setting the background), Instructions (providing clear directions), Details (specifying parameters), and Input (supplying necessary materials). This structured method ensures comprehensive communication with AI by guiding users through providing all essential information logically, from establishing the situation to...
RACE Prompt Framework
RACE Prompt Framework The RACE prompt framework is a structured approach for AI prompting that guides users through four essential steps: Role (defining who the AI should be), Action (specifying the task), Context (providing background), and Execute (setting clear expectations for delivery). This systematic method helps users craft more effective prompts by ensuring all crucial elements are included...
Eisenhower Matrix
Eisenhower Matrix The Eisenhower Matrix, also known as the Urgent-Important Matrix, is a tool for organizing tasks by their urgency and importance to improve productivity and decision-making. It divides tasks into four quadrants based on these criteria. Do Important and Urgent Tasks in this quadrant require immediate attention and are essential to your goals. These are often...
Mission Statement
Mission Statement Long-term organization purpose, values and objectives. It should describe why it matters. This way it contributes to identity creation.
Value Stream Mapping
Value Stream Mapping The Value Stream Mapping is a Lean technique for managing flow and improving processes allowing to track the flow through a process.
Minto Pyramid
Minto Pyramid The Minto Pyramid Principle, a communication framework, advocates for a top-down approach to convey messages effectively
Spotify Health Check
Spotify Health Check The Spotify Health Check is a workshop, where teams assess their project and collaboration using 11 dimensions.
Maslow's Hierarchy Of Needs
Maslow's Hierarchy Of Needs Maslow's hierarchy of needs links basic human needs and desires, emphasizing that survival needs must be met before higher needs.
RACI Matrix
RACI Matrix RACI Matrix/Chart is the type of responsibility assignment matrix for effective work organization, communicating the responsibilities.
CEDAR Feedback
CEDAR Feedback CEDAR is a structured feedback model providing coaching opportunities via repeated revisiting and readjusting of the feedback and the goals.