This post is possibly in the wrong bowl, but I couldn't figure out where to post this. I'm getting inundated with requests from people randomly walking in the halls or stopping by my desk asking me for this report or just any other task. I'm looking for a way to keep better track of these things as asking people to send me an email on it as a reminder isn't working - they're not sending it - yet they manage to come back around to get a status update on their ask. Any tips on how to manage?

You need a Kanban board. Research the methodology a little bit; it is quite simple, but a little bit of study can take you much further than just set up the board and start moving post-its around.

Microsoft Planner is what I use to help keep track. It’s in the Kanban board layout and it will send email reminders based on the due dates you set. It in the Microsoft office suite.

Easy alternative SharePoint list just create a form in infopath that feeds to the list, but if you got JIRA use it

I would use a task planing app like Monday.com or even just the calendar on outlook. Create work events for yourself so you can assign time to work on it and even events for deadlines. You can set multiple reminders for them. If you have something already open on your computer I would suggest write down the info and when it’s needed by on a sticky note then later add it to your planner. Even a diary/list on paper of tasks to do will help.

I would use power query and with a little canned vba, give them a refresh button. Include an "instructions" sheet that reminds them how to push the button. Voila! Self service.

Oh also reclaim.ai is a great tool as well. It’ll automatically move things around for you to fit your schedule

You need a kanban board and a process for intake / updates. Trello is a decent first place to start and is free. Thing is, whatever you use will only work if you make them follow the process. You're gonna have to have some frank talk with the drive by chatters. "so sorry. I can email you an update later." Or add them as a viewer on the tool you select and when they do the drive by, the first time show them. From there, "the kanban board is updated daily/whatever.

I put everything on my calendar. The teams that regularly work with me know to block time on my calendar if they need me to review something, and I block time on my calendar for requests from other coworkers and clients. I also put all personal activities on my calendar to avoid potential conflicts. Started doing this 3 years ago, and it has completely changed my life by reducing stress and creating better work-life balance.

Inform them you only follow up if it’s an email

When I had a role like that, Remember the Milk “RTM” (App and website) had been my favorite. It was easy to just pop open the RTM tab and add their little work item in. Though Tasks in Microsoft is pretty good, for me, having a separate task manager outside my mail and chat client where I could assign priority and times was key to staying on task and not getting lost in emails or other discussions. Edit: Also, if you’re in an org that uses all MS Office products and you’re assigning a task to someone that’s small for them but important to you, it’s good etiquette to include an MS Task on the email. Even if they prefer another task manager, exporting or translating an MS Task is usually pretty simple.

Input the details of the request , owner and status in an excel spreadsheet and upload in one drive and direct your colleague to check the spreadsheet for the recent updates.

This post is possibly in the wrong bowl, but I cou...

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You need a Kanban board.Research the methodology a little bit; it is quite simple, but a little bit of study can take you much further than just set up the board and start moving post-its around.

Microsoft Planner is what I use to help keep track. It’s in the Kanban board layout and it will send email reminders based on the due dates you set. It in the Microsoft office suite.

Inform them you only follow up if it’s an email

Easy alternative SharePoint list just create a form in infopath that feeds to the list, but if you got JIRA use it

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You need a Kanban board.
Research the methodology a little bit; it is quite simple, but a little bit of study can take you much further than just set up the board and start moving post-its around.

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