Multitasking What is multitasking computing The simultaneous execution

Multitasking

What is multitasking? �(computing) The simultaneous execution of multiple tasks (programs) under the control of an interrupt-driven operating system. �(buzzword, figuratively) The practice or capability of handling more than one task at the same time. �Wikipedia – 7/26/2009 http: //en. wiktionary. org/wiki/multitasking

Is Multitasking “Good” or “Bad” �Most professional pride themselves on being able to multitask. �Most Professionals deal with more then one project / task at a time �Most professionals claim to wear more then “one hat”. �If you are not multitasking, do you feel like wasting precious moments? �We can read, eat, and listen at the same time simply because we want every free minute counts. �Throughout our life, doing it all in less of a time is the way of life.

Is Multitasking “Good” or “Bad” �Consider the following situation: �You are a critical resource and you are currently working on 3 projects. �How long will it take to finish all 3 projects? Project 1 Project 2 Project 3 Expected Duration 5 Days 3 Days Expected Sales in $ 5, 000, 000 3, 000

Is Multitasking “Good” or “Bad” �Assume you start working on project 1. �After 2 days, the Project manager of Project 2 comes and ask for status update. You don’t want to show no progress so you stop working on project 1 and start working on project 2. �A day later the Project manager that knows your task should take only 3 days asks for a status update and start screaming when he hears that you made no progress. �You calm him down promising to work on his project the next day.

Is Multitasking “Good” or “Bad” �A week has passed and the current situation is: Day 1 2 3 4 5 Project 1 1 2 2 3 �No Project was completed, all PM’s are upset

Is Multitasking “Good” or “Bad” �Another week of multitasking has passed: Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Project 1 1 2 2 3 3 1 1 2 2 �No project is completed. �All PM’s are screaming their heads off

Is Multitasking “Good” or “Bad” �Week 3, finally we see some results Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Project 1 1 2 2 3 3 1 1 2 2 3 1 2 �Project 1 is done after 12 days (estimated 5) �Project 2 is done after 13 days (estimated 5) �Project 3 is done after 11 days (estimated 3)

What if Multitasking was not allowed? �The time to complete the 3 project is still the same but: Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Project 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 �Project 1 is done after 5 days �Project 2 is done after 10 days �Project 3 is done after 13 days

What if Multitasking was not allowed? �Project 2 & 3 are still late, but over all performance is greatly improved. �How soon will the company start bringing money in? �How much money will they make in the 13 days if multitasking is not allowed? �If multitasking is not allowed, what will be the impact on the organizational culture?

Is multitasking good or bad – Exercise Pt. 1 �Each person gets 2 sheet of paper, one blank, one striped. �You will tear each sheet on paper in to 5 stripes �You will tear each stripe in to 6 pieces �The pieces do not need to be symmetrical or identical �No additional equipment to be used. �After 3 tears you will switch to the other sheet and vice versa. �The instructor will call out the time every 30 seconds

Is multitasking good or bad – Exercise Pt. 1 �What is the class distribution for: �Time? �Yield (errors)?

Is multitasking good or bad – Exercise Pt. 2 �Repeat the exercise but this time no multi tasking. �Finish with one sheet and only then move to the other sheet. �The instructor will call out the time every 30 seconds. �What is the class distribution for: �Time? �Yield (errors)?

Is multitasking good or bad – Set up time �How long does it take you to switch from one task to another? �How long does it take you to get your mind off of the previous topic and focus on the new one? �Do you need different tools, set up, information, etc? �Who accounts for all the time lost?

Bad Multitasking �Bad Multitasking is the act of dropping a primary function or activity for any length of time, in order to take up another task, simply to show that progress is being made on more than one project. �In the first example we saw impacts to revenue due to project multitasking, but is multitasking always bad? �Consider an administrative assistant, do you really want them to finish typing a letter before picking up the phone? �The situation must be investigated before a decision to multitask or not to multitask