Streamlining Workflows For Several Ongoing Projects

🧵 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

Looking for a more innovative way to stay on top of your projects? Here’s a productivity hack to help you manage your workload and get a clear view of what’s coming next: 👉 Create a Personal Kanban Board with Strategic Columns (and WIP Limits). Here’s how to set it up for maximum oversight: 1. Set Up Columns Like These:   - "Backlog" for upcoming projects and ideas.   - "Prioritized" for tasks you're ready to tackle next.   - "In Progress" to track active projects.   - "Review" for projects needing approval or feedback.   - "Completed" to celebrate wins and capture lessons learned. 2. Add WIP Limits: Keep your workload manageable and focused without overcommitting. 3. Maintain Oversight: Visualizing tasks across these stages helps track projects, identify bottlenecks, and manage incoming requests without feeling overwhelmed. Bonus: Building your Kanban board is a skill in itself. As you refine it, you’ll discover the nuances—from setting the right WIP limits to designing columns that suit your workflow. It’s not just about managing tasks but mastering the process. Make your Kanban board a central tool for oversight, not just task tracking. Your projects—and productivity—will thank you. What's your experience with Kanban boards? Share your thoughts below! Like this post if you're ready to take control of your workflow, and follow me for more productivity tips! 🚀

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