Collecting metrics should not become so cumbersome an activity that it gets dropped altogether. Towards that end, the nine metrics described previously require very few pieces of data and can be collected as a matter of habit rather than an additional effort.

To begin with, all tasks must be assigned an estimate, that is, an expectation as to how long the task will take, and all meetings and appointments must be assigned a definite start time (Mtg).

As a task is started, the start time (S) must be noted. As the task is completed, the finish time (F) must be noted. If a task is interrupted, the duration of the interruption must be noted and subtracted from the total time taken for the task. Actual duration = F-S less interruption.

As a meeting or appointment is joined, the arrival time (Avl) must be noted.

As new tasks come up, they must be added to the "super" list. If these tasks are of sufficient urgency to be disposed of right away, they must be added to the current day...