You’re 90% booked. That’s why the work is late.

Chronic lateness in a busy firm is rarely a discipline problem. Past a certain level of utilisation, the arithmetic turns against you sharply, and predictably.

By Steve 5 min read
Abstract bridge artwork for You’re 90% booked. That’s why the work is late.

Two firms do the same work with the same people and the same tools. One runs its team at around 70% utilisation and quotes a week’s turnaround, reliably. The other runs at 90% and quotes a week, then delivers in three. The second firm looks, on every report the owner sees, like the better-run business. Its people are busier. Its billable ratio is higher. Its idle time is lower. And its clients are the ones complaining. This is not a motivation problem, a project management problem, or a hiring problem.…

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