Strategies For Avoiding Project Overlap Confusion

🧵 Bioinformaticians: Drowning in multiple projects? Here's why context switching is killing your productivity—and how to fix it. 1/ Too many projects = too little progress. When your attention is scattered, your output drops. Context switching is the silent killer. 2/ Each project has its own biology: 🧬 Different TFs 🧪 Different cell lines ⚙️ Different pipelines Switching eats mental energy. 3/ Example: Jumping from CUT&RUN on H3K27me3 in mESCs to ChIP-seq on c-Myc in HeLa = full brain reboot. 4/ You spend time recalling: • QC parameters • Genome version • Where peaks are saved • Which scripts and tools you used 5/ And if the project isn't organized, you’ll waste even more time digging through old folders, scratch files, or rerunning commands. 6/ Solution 1: Ruthless prioritization Pick ONE project each day. Focus. Finish. Ship it. Half-done science doesn’t help anyone. Multitasking is a trap. 7/ Solution 2: Use consistent folder structures Example: project_name/ ├── raw_data/ ├── fastqc/ ├── trimmed/ ├── alignment/ ├── results/ ├── scripts/ 8/ Solution 3: Add a README to each project Include: • Data source • Goals • Key results • Analysis steps • TODOs This saves hours when switching context or collaborating. document as much as possible. it may seem to be a waste of time, but it saves you time long term 9/ Solution 4: Keep a running log Markdown or plain text. Example: ## 2025-04-10 - Trimmed reads with fastp - Aligned with bowtie2 (hg38) - Called peaks with macs2 10/ Key Takeaways: • Switching projects costs time and focus • Finish one before hopping to another • Structure + notes = less rework 11/ ✅ Action items: • Choose 1 project to focus on this week • Create folder structure & README • Start a daily or weekly log 12/ Deep work leads to deep insights. Prioritize. Organize. Write it down. Make future-you thank today-you. I hope you've found this post helpful. Follow me for more. Subscribe to my FREE newsletter https://lnkd.in/erw83Svn

I cannot stress enough how critically important it is to take the time to build out systems that allow you to spend 0 time thinking about where your files are or how to access them. I have saved countless hours by taking more time upfront to set proper workflows and storage space for all my working and personal files. Some general principles to get you started: 1️⃣ Nothing is allowed to float - EVER. Don't let files float in your downloads folder or on your desktop. It will take you twice as long (if you are lucky) to find the file you need if things are allowed to float. Here is an example: Need to pull up a text editor to take notes during a meeting? The FIRST thing you are doing after that meeting is over is saving those notes (with a proper file name!) and storing it in the correct project location. Which brings me to point number 2: 2️⃣ Have a unique project location for every project. Projects of a similar type should all follow the same storage structure, but each project needs to have its own unique working space - no overlap. Example: Have two different projects for the same client? - each of those projects needs its own distinct working space to prevent misplacing items. 3️⃣ Have a specific system for each different file type you work with. Take and store meeting minutes the same way you do across all projects. Create, edit, and store deliverables the same way you do across all projects. Consistency is Key. 4️⃣ Last but not least - don't wait until the last minute to do these things - keep up with your notes and file saving as you work on these items. In the first example above where you pulled open a text editor to take meeting minutes - don't get in that situation in the first place. You should have your meeting minutes template opened and filled out with the meeting details already entered ahead of time. Work can be hard sometimes - no reason to make it harder on yourself - stay organized out there. Happy Sunday

How I Stay Productive While Managing Multiple Projects as a Program Manager at Amazon Juggling multiple projects isn’t about doing more—it’s about structuring work better. Early in my career, I tried to multitask across projects, only to feel overwhelmed and scattered. Then I saw how a senior leader structured their workload to maximize focus without burnout. That changed my approach. Here’s how I stay productive while managing multiple projects: 1️⃣ Time Blocking for Each Project I dedicate specific blocks of time to each project instead of jumping between them. This practice has cut context-switching fatigue by 50%. 2️⃣ Weekly Prioritization Reviews I reassess priorities every Monday to ensure I’m focusing on what matters most. This has prevented misalignment and last-minute rushes. 3️⃣ Delegate and Automate Where Possible I offload repeatable tasks and use automation for reporting. This approach has freed up time for high-impact work. Managing multiple projects isn’t about working harder—it’s about structuring work smarter. If you feel overwhelmed, try focusing less on doing everything at once and more on focused execution. How do you manage multiple projects effectively? #Productivity #ProjectManagement #Leadership #Amazon

Some days, being a PM feels like trying to meditate in the middle of a food court. Slack is pinging. Zoom is zooming. Stakeholders are escalating. One project is on fire. Another is *still* waiting on feedback from 12 business days ago. And somehow you’re supposed to be the calm, focused one? Yeah. Cool cool cool. Here’s the truth: Project managers don’t get to *have* focus—we have to *fight* for it. So if you’re juggling multiple teams and projects, here are a few ways to protect your brain from becoming corporate soup: 🕕 Time block like it’s your religion If it’s not on your calendar, it doesn’t exist. Defend your deep work time like a dragon guarding treasure. 🔕 Slack = snooze Mute the chaos. Check in batches. “Always available” = always overwhelmed. 📝 Write down your top 3 priorities every morning Not 27. Not “everything.” Just 3. And then actually do them. 📤 Delegate like a boss You are not the team. You are the *leader* of the team. Let go of the small stuff. 🚫 Say no. Or at least “not right now.” You’re not being rude. You’re being effective. Future you will be grateful. It’s not about being *less* available, it’s about being more intentional. And sometimes the most powerful thing a PM can do is shut up, log off, and actually get the work done. What’s your trick for staying focused when everything’s happening all at once? #projectmanagement #productivity #leadership #pmforhumans #focus #worksmarter #multiprojectmadness

What Every PM Needs to Know About Managing Multiple Projects... Juggling multiple projects at once can feel like walking a tightrope while spinning plates. Deadlines clash, resources stretch thin, and priorities change by the hour. Sound familiar? The good news is that you can manage multiple projects without losing your mind. It’s all about working smarter, not harder. Here are some strategies that worked for me: ✅ 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘆: Focus on what matters most with tools like a priority matrix. ✅ 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲: Use time blocking and task batching to stay productive. ✅ 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆: Simplify your workflow with project management tools like Trello or Asana. ✅ 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆: Regular updates and tailored messaging keep everyone aligned. ✅ 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲: Don’t do it all yourself—empower your team to succeed. Multi-project management doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s about staying organized, clear, and adaptable to tackle challenges head-on. #ProjectManagement #Leadership #ProgramManagement #PMPlaybook #Collaboration