In order to understand and implement the techniques of time management, it is necessary to understand the following principles of time management:
(a) Principle of Time Analysis:
Time analysis is a pre-requisite to time management. Keeping a daily log of activities that would record usage of time for 15 to 30 minutes duration over a span of not less than two weeks is the first step in time analysis.
(b) Principle of Planning:
Daily planning for the net day or at the beginning of the day for the same day is necessary. This planning should be in tune with one’s short-term objectives.
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(c) Principle of Budgeting by Priority:
Time available during working hours should be budgeted keeping in mind the priority accorded to different activities.
(d) Principle of Flexibility:
Flexibility should be major consideration in the selection of plans regarding the use of personal time. Time should neither be over-scheduled nor under-scheduled.
(e) Principle of Activity Segmentation:
Work activities similar in nature and requiring similar environments and resources for their accomplishment should be grouped together to be done during the workday.
(f) Principle of Control of Interruptions:
Adequate controls and/or arrangements of activities to minimize the number and duration of unnecessary interruptions is essential to time management.
(g) Principle of Minimization of Routine Work:
Work items which are routine in nature and which constitute little object lives should be minimized.
(h) Principle of Delegation:
Delegation is aimed at providing the manager to focus his/her attention on important managerial tasks.
(i) Principle of Implementation and follow-up:
Proper implementation of the daily plan and its regular follow-up is necessary for time management.
(j) Principle of Repeated Analysis:
The usage analysis should be repeated at least once in six months so as to prevent reverting back to poor time management habits.
(k) The Pareto Time Principle:
This principle states that 80 per cent of the value of a group of items generally concentrates in only 20 per cent of them. As far as time management is concerned, this principle implies that if managers concentrate on 20 per cent of the tasks (on the basis of importance), 80 per cent of the work will be done effectively.