Is it worth it? (2021)
13 days ago
- #optimisation
- #productivity
- #workplace efficiency
- Optimisation in modern workplaces is common, but inefficiencies persist despite available technology.
- XKCD provides a formula for determining the worth of optimising a task based on frequency and time saved over five years.
- In corporate settings, the impact of inefficiencies multiplies with the number of affected employees, making optimisation more valuable.
- Example calculations show significant time savings when optimising tasks like fixing flaky tests, even with low failure rates.
- The cost of fixing inefficiencies is constant (O(1)), while the cost of not fixing them scales with the number of employees (O(n)).
- Companies, especially those with many employees, should allocate resources to internal tools and reducing friction to realise substantial time savings.
- Even small teams can benefit from optimising routine tasks, as the cumulative time saved can be significant.