What is context switching? Learn to identify and eliminate it

Ideally, it’s up to project managers, team leaders, and even your influential senior developers to guard against context switching by team members.

Here are six suggestions to prevent context switching:

Digital tools, especially collaboration platforms, sometimes bring baggage for employees who have had negative experiences with tools at past employers. When a tool introduces unneeded complexity, it's almost like they're working for that tool. It's up to your organisation to promote effective digital tool usage via onboarding training, job aids, and similar channels to ensure your employees use the tools as efficiently as possible. And if a tool isn’t working, it’s time to let it go.

Preventing context switching starts with prioritising tasks, where you (or your team) focus on one digital platform at a time to reduce tool switching. If you’re unsure how to prioritise, use a framework like the Eisenhower matrix to help you figure out where to begin.

Setting aside dedicated time slots on specific digital platforms can significantly reduce the frequency of tool switching. You can set it up manually or use an AI tool, like Motion, to plan your time accordingly. Set check-ins with yourself to ensure you’re sticking to the right platform at the right time.

Whether you’re hybrid or in-office, setting aside time slots for discussion can improve your time management. By adding dedicated collaboration time to your calendars, rather than spontaneous in-person interactions, you can allocate your time more strategically.

Taking short, strategic breaks to help refresh the mind and reduce the urge to switch between tools is another key way to prevent context switching. It’s important for managers and team leaders to set an example and instil this practice into their team culture.

According to Harvard Business Review, workers that have to constantly switch between applications are more likely to be distracted or bored. A key solution is to rebalance your workload. Use your 1-2-1 meeting with your manager to advocate for yourself and ask for less work, or for work on less varied platforms.

Mitigating context switching is crucial for maintaining your team's productivity and ensuring timely project delivery. By implementing targeted strategies, you can work more efficiently to drive both individual and collective success.