One of the basic principles of maximizing computer throughput that I learned decades ago was that fact that the system needs change if the system is fully loaded. That is, the normal heuristic system that determines which jobs get priority ceases to function effectively at full load because the heuristic system itself cannot get enough time to run. So the answer was to switch to a "round-robin" type of scheduling at full load. Everything gets run in a circle for a specific amount of time. Run task 1 for N number of seconds, run task 2 for N number of seconds, run task 3 for N number of seconds, go back to task 1. This way, the system still gets work done while not wasting cycles on deciding.
I found this applies to people at work as well. People get frustrated because they get overloaded and then cannot figure out what to do next. The simple answer is: If everything is critical, then by definition everything has the same priority. Just pick something and work on it. Simple huh?
When I get a boss that gets irate because stuff isn't getting done fast enough for them and you are overloaded, the conversation becomes this:
"When is xyz going to be ready?" "I don't know, I'm working on abc right now. Want me to switch?" "Can't you work on everything at once?" "No." "Why not?" "Because when the gas pedal is all the way to the floor, stomping it harder won't make the car go faster." "*fume* Well, work on xyz." "Ok."
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ayoub![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
nope
Date: 2006-11-29 04:05 pm (UTC)I found this applies to people at work as well. People get frustrated because they get overloaded and then cannot figure out what to do next. The simple answer is: If everything is critical, then by definition everything has the same priority. Just pick something and work on it. Simple huh?
When I get a boss that gets irate because stuff isn't getting done fast enough for them and you are overloaded, the conversation becomes this:
"When is xyz going to be ready?"
"I don't know, I'm working on abc right now. Want me to switch?"
"Can't you work on everything at once?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because when the gas pedal is all the way to the floor, stomping it harder won't make the car go faster."
"*fume* Well, work on xyz."
"Ok."
LOL :-)
Re: nope
Date: 2006-12-02 08:32 am (UTC)Great way to handle it!