Operations isn't just automations

Managing and communicating your expectations is not just something you do in your personal lives. It’s equally important, if not more, to manage them with the people you work with.

In today’s remote & virtual world, teamwork is more crucial than ever. But without clear expectations, frustration can easily creep in. Imagine working on a project, only to find out that your idea of completion doesn’t match your team’s. It’s a common pitfall.

However, having a ‘Definition of Done’ is your way to avoid that pitfall. It’s something that has been talked about in project management methodologies, time management techniques, and even in psychology.

In the book “Buy Back Your Time”, the author talked about how they use a ‘Definition of Done’ within their team. For them, a definition of done isn’t just a checklist. It covers facts, feelings, and functionalities.

  • Facts: Hard metrics that must be accomplished.
  • Feelings: How one should feel when the task is complete.
  • Functionalities: What a finished task must enable others to do.

Brené Brown, one of my favorite authors, shared a similar insight in her book ‘Atlas of the Heart’. She talked about the power of “painting done.” It’s about setting clear expectations. When she assigns tasks, she makes sure her team knows exactly what’s expected, and if she forgets, her team makes sure to ask her to “paint done.”

“Painting done” means fully walking through the expectations of what the completed task will look like, including when it will be done, what will one do with the information, how it will be used, the context, the consequences of not doing it, the costs—everything you can think of to paint a shared picture of the expectations.

Think of how powerful the concept must be that it is being taught in Agile Trainings.

This approach fosters understanding and can be one of the most powerful tools you can have for better team collaboration

I can tell from personal experience, it has been a game changer for us.

So, next time you’re working on a task, take a moment. Define what “done” means for you and your team. It can transform your work life, making it smoother and more fulfilling.

Personal tip, take it a step further and paint done for your partner when you ask them to do the dishes.