Boss is asking for too much in too little time. We have a product launching and critical updates that need completed before launch. However, he keeps adding new tasks to my plate that aren't even urgent to be completed in parallel. Told him several times there's no time and we need to focus on critical items. What's the plan here, blows up in our face and I say "told you"? Not exactly good for our department. Anyone else deal with shit like this??
Why you no A+?
It’s about “managing up” and effectively and tactfully (depends on culture and manager) getting the manager to prioritize and essentially get answered “what gets deprioritzed and potentially does not get done because this new task is more important”.
That's the approach I offered. Finish everything needed for launch before launch first. Focus on the rest later, still before launch if at all possible. His reply was to just do everything at once along side each other, which is just not possible within the timeframe. Applying for other jobs after that shit.
Assuming you’ve done what you can, another tactic is to simply convey in your own words (massage as needed): “it sounds like this is more important than the other work that’s already inflight, I’ll be putting them on hold to focus on this and get back to it ASAP as soon as this is complete” (effectively letting him know that you’re *not* intending to work on other stuff due to the priority change without arguing about it). And if the other stuff doesn’t get done, it doesn’t get done but you’ve done what you can to communicate expectations before (not after) — and if you’re on your way out, then not a problem you have to continue dealing with; but you’ve been professional and respectful through it.
If you have a PM, ask him/her to jump in and prioritize those tasks. If not then create a spreadsheet yourself with all the tasks prioritized and share this with your manager. This will set the expectations right and also tell him that you work in an organized way.
Yes @hdhhj s idea of using an organized spreadsheet helped me in the past. Basically I feel a lot of your boss requests are a way to cope his pressures. Realistically there is only so much a person can do. By showing you are very organized, a step ahead of him, will make him disinterested in pushing you. Also try meeting him before he does and for the new tasks he assigned ask him for ideas.
Tell him/her/it you will do it by a deferred date and how hot of a fire you are fighting at the moment.
Yo get back to work and stop can complaining about me
Hmmm Asian managers do this
Hahahaha. I didn't say shit!