5 Reasons you can’t Prioritise in your Organisation

Picture this: It's Tuesday, and your team is ready to tackle the tasks at hand when suddenly, a new priority drops out of nowhere, demanding everyone's attention. As if that wasn't enough, a barrage of issues arises throughout the day: customer problems, system glitches, team member challenges. By the end of the week, you find yourself wondering, "What have I actually achieved?" If this scenario resonates with you, rest assured, you're not alone. This frustrating cycle of misplaced priorities and constant interruptions plagues companies everywhere, leading to lost productivity and mounting frustration.  

In the upcoming articles, we'll delve into the causes behind this prioritisation problem and explore approaches to overcome it. 

Cause 1: Rise of Complexity – Choices Galore 

Technology has opened a vast array of problem-solving approaches. With endless options at our disposal, it's easy to get overwhelmed. Research by Pega reveals that a staggering 90% of workers cite "managing information overload" as a major contributor to complexity in their jobs. The modern workplace, with its hybrid teams and diverse generational mix, adds another layer of complexity. Different biases, thinking styles, and communication gaps can lead to misalignment on what needs to be done, how to do it, and who should do it. 

Cause 2: Lack of Clarity in Organisational Goals 

Unclear and convoluted organisational goals hinder effective prioritisation. Broad goals that aim to achieve everything end up saying nothing useful for making priority decisions. Without a clear North Star, teams and individuals end up locked in a battle over what should take precedence. A clear vision is essential to avoid prioritisation roadblocks. 

Cause 3: Lengthy Planning Processes  

Planning should provide a roadmap for success, but too often, it becomes a hindrance. Lengthy planning horizons that span an entire year or longer are prone to become irrelevant due to unvalidated assumptions. Teams naturally deviate from the plan as they learn more, leading to duplication and wasted energy. Moreover, slow planning processes make it difficult to challenge or adapt. The inability to swiftly pivot stifles productivity and leaves teams trapped in unproductive meetings and discussions. 

Cause 4: Siloed Goals  

Different teams often have their own goals, which can seem impressive on the surface fitted neatly orderly in documents. However, it becomes evident that achieving customer goals requires collaboration across multiple functions. This creates a dilemma when teams refuse to support one another due to misaligned objectives or perceived negative impacts. Furthermore, leaders who shield their teams from outside noise may inadvertently hinder customer-centric decision-making. Siloed goals impede progress and hamper the overall success of the organization. 

Cause 5: Reluctance to Let Go  

Our aversion to failure and reluctance to terminate projects or workstreams perpetuate the never-ending cycle of tasks. We fall victim to the sunk cost fallacy, continuously adding to our deliverable list without removing anything. This bogs down productivity and adds additional context switching which perpetuates the problem. Embracing failure and recognising when to let go are vital for unlocking clarity and making room for valuable problem-solving. 

The prioritisation puzzle is a widespread challenge, but it's not insurmountable. By understanding and addressing its causes head-on, we can regain control of our priorities. While there are no silver bullets for complex problems like these, adopting a multifaceted approach will set you on the path to better prioritisation.