Deep work time analytics and refinements

Focus time analytics

What is deep, focused time analytics?
Deep work time analytics is the process of analyzing how much time your team has, on average, for their own work. One of the most popular ways of collecting such data is by running surveys or engaging in other active listening activities with your team. Many companies conduct focus time analytics through existing corporate systems, such as Slack, G-Suite, or Office 365.

The key to effective focus time analytics is to do it ethically. This means conducting an analysis on a team level, where individual data is anonymized, and you’re not assessing each employee individually. You should look at your team from a bird’s eye view and collect data on work patterns, and not human characteristics.


What is deep work time? 

Deep work  time is the time spent by team members on their work without any interruptions.

Deep work relates to two hours of uninterrupted work needed to complete complex tasks. Work interruption is a meeting, or chats, emails sent at a larger scale.

Deep work – key elements

  • Deep work relates to the time employees dedicate each day to tasks without being interrupted in the process. We believe that companies should aspire to create an environment of at least 10 hours of uninterrupted work per week, per employee (i.e., 2 hours per day).Time spent on context switching
  • Time spent on context switchingMultiple context work takes into account the time you spend on activities which take under 30 min, an hour, or 2 hours to finalize (on a weekly basis). Check how long each one takes and add them up – don’t ignore even the smallest tasks which take 15 or 30 minutes to do. Details on deep work time (e.g. how long is a typical slot, and how many slots you have )To calculate it, check how many time slots of uninterrupted work you have in your calendar and how long they last.

How much time should high-performing teams spend on deep work?
Aim at a minimum 10 hours of deep work, per week, per team member. This translates to two hours of deep work streaks daily.

How is time for deep work connected to team productivity?
Going deep in work will produce a motivated team and a higher level of quality and strategic thinking in work.

Why should leaders measure and manage deep work?
According to Rob Cross, up to 85% of employees’ time is consumed on collaboration, draining productivity and burning people out.

How can you, as a team leader, support deep work in your team? 
Here are a few tips:

  • Consider reshuffling your calendar to make space for proper deep work streaks (e.g., move it to company hours with less intense cross-team collaboration).
  • Set your deep work slots as busy with automatic invite rejection.
  • Discuss with your team an agreement on common getting things done/deep work live chat app.
  • Turn off your notifications (email, chat app, calendar) during deep work hours.
  • Make sure you set clear “away/slow to respond/deep work” status on your business 

Deep work | refinements:

Block recurring deep work time slots in calendar / 2h per day →Schedule “Do not disturb” for deep work slots →Configure your Slack notifications →

Read more on our blog:

Cut interruptions to avoid context switching and secure deep work for your engineers →Focus time metric – How deep work streak length influences productivity  →Focus time metrics – How to measure your employees’ deep work & multiple context work  →

Read more from other resources:

Beyond Collaboration Overload: How to Work Smarter, Get Ahead, and Restore Your Well-Being →Maker’s Schedule, Manager’s Schedule  →Engineering Effectiveness Handbook →

Start working in a data-informed smart way

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