Strategies for Handling a heavy workload in a small team

[psychocandy]

Manager: we need to do this too, ASAP
Me: We're already at 100%. If you want to add something to the workload, you need to take something out.
Manager: Can't do that I'm afraid.
Me: We just can't do X+5 in the time it takes for X.
Manager: We have to, we don't have any choice.


Now where did I go wrong in that conversation, apart from getting myself into it in the first place?

Just nod and say fair enough. Then work your normal hours, do your best, and send your invoice in and forget about it. If it doesnt get done, it doesnt get done.

[jmo21]

So, any suggestions as to
a) how we can make our glorious leader understand that more resource is needed or
b) what will solve this instead of more resource - we are experienced people and are really stumped as to how we can give this guy what he wants.

1) Lots of people suggesting answers for 1, but frankly, unless he is a total idiot, he knows fine well that you need more resources. He either has no budget, or thinks he can screw you into working more hours to save his budget.

2) there may be little ways that you can eat into this problem, but it sounds like your little team are way beyond the breaking point of being able to affect this.

That being said, when the users start screaming and shouting about the little issues that are left floundering, calmly say (or email) that due to time constraints, that item has been de prioritized behind higher priority items. Any issues with prioritisation, please email {boss in charge of resources}.

[escapeUK]

I work with teams who cant do any more, who tells people they are working their socks off. They go home on the dot of 5, have an hour lunch break when its supposed to be half an hour, and always have time to chat about any subject for an hour.

[jmo21]

I work with teams who cant do any more, who tells people they are working their socks off. They go home on the dot of 5, have an hour lunch break when its supposed to be half an hour, and always have time to chat about any subject for an hour.

Of course lots of teams exist like this.

We are assuming this guy is a professional and telling the truth, otherwise why would he post asking for suggestions?

[expat]

1) Lots of people suggesting answers for 1, but frankly, unless he is a total idiot, he knows fine well that you need more resources. He either has no budget, or thinks he can screw you into working more hours to save his budget.

Aha! Then the upside is that he looks good, the downside is that you work more. Probably looks good from his side.

[jmo21]

Aha! Then the upside is that he looks good, the downside is that you work more. Probably looks good from his side.

erm.... obviously.

[psychocandy]

1) Lots of people suggesting answers for 1, but frankly, unless he is a total idiot, he knows fine well that you need more resources. He either has no budget, or thinks he can screw you into working more hours to save his budget.

More than likely but ITS HIS PROBLEM NOT OP'S

[d000hg]

You may be surprised to know that you are not the only one who has to deal with almost the exact situation. This a classic example of poor management of human resources and money. PM who suppose to translate technical requirements and deadlines and pass to top management , fails to do that because of incompetency.

Move on ... until then; keep on invoicing....

It's not automatically the PM who is incompetent... he may also be in an intractable position. Often the client will simply refuse to spend more, and refuse to accept less. It's easy to find someone to blame.

[jmo21]

More than likely but ITS HIS PROBLEM NOT OP'S

It is the managers problem, but he HAS made it the OP's problem in that the OP is posting here looking for advice, facing working long hours, or potentially leaving for a new role.

I'm not saying the manager is right, but seems to me that is what is happening. He risks losing people, but maybe that is a lesser problem for him.

[xux42]

Of course lots of teams exist like this.

We are assuming this guy is a professional and telling the truth, otherwise why would he post asking for suggestions?

Well I'm telling the truth anyway LOL.
Thanks for all the replies, the response on here to problems is so impressive.
I am working typically 8.30 to 6.15 with an hour for lunch. Every 6 weeks I'm on 'Rota' monitoring the end of day (batch) so more like 9 to 8.30 with a 2nd meal break of about 1/2 hr.
Colleague is similar.
Team leader working more like 9-9 every day, sometimes 9-11.

I am getting some data from a former colleague tomorrow in a similar set up where they are properly resourced.
Then we all plan to sit down with the PM to discuss what we can do now, what the other team in former co. is able to do by comparison and then effectively say - your call...
I'd love to do the head in a bucket but I'm still 10 years odd from retirement - so something to look forward to in 2022ish!