How do you handle interuptions

[bloodclot]

I tell you what, this is my 4th Monday this week. Everytime I get working on something I have to drop it 10 minutes later to address some issue that was just dropped in my lap. I have been working on a model that should have taken 1-1.5 days to complete and I started it on the 1st Monday of this week. Not only do the interuptions take time out of the modeling process but it leads to errors because you have to drop, pick-up, drop, pick-up, etc...I am curious how others handle interuptions. I only have a cube area with 3 walls so I do not have a door to close & LOCK.

Thanks

***** Fear not those who argue but those who dodge *****

Dell Precision 670
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[PDMAdmin]

Once I started acting aloof, no one bugged me anymore.

 

[Takami826]

Ugh the interruptions are only equal in annoyance to those who cannot comprehend it takes TIME to model something, especially assemblies where features depend on other features and the time it takes to make the drawings once the parts are modeled. No one ever gets that. I constantly get "why does it take you 3 days to do this?" Well, it would normally take me one 8 hr day, however there's meetings, interruptions, end-of-the-world crises that constantly crop up, rush jobs that 'are on the machine ready to go and we don't have a model to make the program" then it becomes my fault production is halted because I'm being difficult and don't want to make the time to model up the part. No one considers the 2+ weeks it sat on someone's desk idle... grrrrr...

I finally had to explode at my new boss who now runs interference and allows me to say "You have to discuss it with her to have my priorities changed, otherwise it'll be..." and I'll tell them when I can have it done. I finally just became a jerk about it (only took me 9 yrs) and people are starting to be more respectful of the situation. They just needed to see that I will give them my best if they leave me alone to do so.

Always, ALWAYS OVER estimate the time you'll need on a project. Then you have to figure out the best way to get everyone around you to respect the fact you need uninterrupted time to focus on the designs you're working on without stopping and starting because that's where mistakes and items are missed and that can lead to unhappy customers.

I've tried the sign across the cube entrance, the DND notes, etc. Even during Six Sigma exam time such signs were ignored. It's frustrating.

 

[btcoutermash]

The best thing I invested in to cut down on interuptions is:

http://www.cubedoor.com.

When its pulled close I rarely get bothered. It was a great investment....

 

[007bondy]

Heres a suggestion get a workstation level laptop and stay at home to get the jobs done and only apprear at work for schedueled meetings and smoko breaks (free coffee)

 

[ewh]

This would be an excellent subject for "Overcoming Obstacles Getting My Work Done".