What is task batching?

Batching, task batching or batching tasks is simply grouping all of the same tasks at the same time. Doing all of the same tasks repeatedly and/or all together at once. Together is much easier, less time consuming, and more productive than using the typical start-stop-start-stop-repeat model when it comes up for the frequently reoccurring task. We all have tasks like this. It helps maintain consistency when necessary. It may be easier to schedule these batched tasks on a periodic basis.

For example, I write all the edits needed for my podcasts to be released next month within 1 or 2 days of this month. This can be on auto-pilot after you grouped up those tasks for the month and did all the work of figuring it out ahead of time.

You can document the process of said task and then possibly delegate that task too. Sometimes, when the tasks are consistent and exactly the same steps every time, the task can be automated.

For example, after converting them from XLSX files to CSV, I used to clean up the CSV files manually.  Once I figured out all the steps and the sequence of steps to clean it up the CSV, an Excel macro was created to automate the cleanup process. The macro was iterated when there was a new consistent challenge to be fixed repeatedly.

How to record a task and delegate a task

Figure out what is needed to do this task like pre-requisites, the sequence of steps, and the outcome when done.

Creating a written step by step checklist can help remember. Pilots use checklists for regular plane operations before, during, and after flights, as well as emergencies.

Chefs use recipes that are documented tasks and checklists along with their mise en place before they start to cook.

Documentation can happen as a screen capture video for a computer task, even while on a video conferencing tool like Zoom.

It can be a video recorded with you talking through each step, if not on the computer.

Even if you delegate a task, you can check the results on the given parameters that you provide beforehand and have them iterate if needed.

What tasks can you batch together?