Actions
Forum Thread Details
  • Replies 15 replies
  • Subscribers 2566 subscribers
  • Views 1210 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Related

When you're short on time what are some things that help you save time on projects?

nlarson

What are some strategies that you help you work efficiently while working on a project?  Are there any tips, tricks or tools you use when you're in a time crunch?

 

Thanks for sharing!

Nicole, element14 Community Manager

Parents

  • Upon further reflection, I'd like to add that developing good documentation habits can be a useful time saver.  Take notes of measurements, test equipment set ups, annotate schematics, comment code blocks by function and on individual lines whose purpose is not self evident, take photographs or videos of important configurations, or fault conditions.  Documentation extends to placing meaningful labels on cables (at both ends), careful routing of wire bundles and disciplined file organization on a computer or in a file cabinet.

     

    There have been times when I solved a problem, then some time later encountered the same or similar problem and all I remembered was that I had somehow fixed it in the past.  Once I started taking extensive lab notes, with empahsis on the "ah-ha!" events, I found my productivity went up because I could flip through a written or photographic record rather than rely on firing a twisted knot of neurons somewhere deep in my brain to recall the solution.

     

    Mark A.

Reply

  • Upon further reflection, I'd like to add that developing good documentation habits can be a useful time saver.  Take notes of measurements, test equipment set ups, annotate schematics, comment code blocks by function and on individual lines whose purpose is not self evident, take photographs or videos of important configurations, or fault conditions.  Documentation extends to placing meaningful labels on cables (at both ends), careful routing of wire bundles and disciplined file organization on a computer or in a file cabinet.

     

    There have been times when I solved a problem, then some time later encountered the same or similar problem and all I remembered was that I had somehow fixed it in the past.  Once I started taking extensive lab notes, with empahsis on the "ah-ha!" events, I found my productivity went up because I could flip through a written or photographic record rather than rely on firing a twisted knot of neurons somewhere deep in my brain to recall the solution.

     

    Mark A.

Children
  • in reply to Instructorman

    I completely agree.

    I should have added this one to my list.  There is no substitute for having a well laid out test plan and fully functioning test program with complete documentation so that you can work throught the issues and resolve major problems at the earliest possible time.

     

    I must be getting old, I keep forgetting these important details. image

     

    DAB