Measuring Editorial ProductivityMeasuring Editorial Productivity

--BRIAN PEREIRA,

CHIP, COMPUTER EASY

June 6, 2007

What is Productivity?What is Productivity?

Productivity (n) : The capacity to produce; the state of being productive; the effectiveness of productive effort.

June 6, 2007

Measuring ProductivityMeasuring Productivity

In the manufacturing industry: you measure output, number of units produced within finite time.

In the Aviation industry: productivity means increase in the number of passengers flown in a particular sector.

So it is something Quantifiable.

June 6, 2007

You compare the recent yield with that of the previous period.

Manufacturing: Increase in units; Increase in output (percentage-wise).

Aviation: Increase in number of passengers flown, and introduction of new sectors.

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How do you measure?How do you measure?

Editorial ProductivityEditorial Productivity Can it be measured?

NOT QUANTIFIABLE◦ No yardstick◦ Not just by number of words and number of stories

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Qualitative aspects and Qualitative aspects and efficienciesefficiencies

Writing skills, grammar, style

Story planning and structuring

Information gathering and research techniques

Analytical skills

Knowledge: Learning curve

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Job traits and soft skillsJob traits and soft skills New Projects and assignments.

Versatility: The ability to handle different things in the production

process.

Time management skills, personal organization.

Ability to work under pressure.

Growth Influencer: What influence does he have on the rest of the

team, and his contribution towards the growth of the product.

Individual contribution towards increasing Brand Value

Resilience: How quickly can he restore normalcy status in an

emergency.

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Team ProductivityTeam Productivity

New projects

Project Execution

Timelines, completion

Customer satisfaction & feedback

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Managing Editorial Growth-1Managing Editorial Growth-1 Team strength remains the same, but undertakes

additional projects; How do you cope?

1. Pass-it-down-the-line

- Experienced team members delegate tasks to

subordinates, new members

- Look at new/additional projects as an opportunity to

learn something new, and for honing new skills

- Share the experience with subordinates (for a short

learning curve)

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Managing Editorial Growth-2Managing Editorial Growth-2 2. Outsource specialty tasks

◦ freelancers (if the skills are not within the team)

3. Additional human resources

- discuss new projects at the beginning of the financial

year (not mid-course); then plan for additional

manpower

4. Develop skills within the team

- In-house training

- Encourage individuals to do courses, learn new skills

June 6, 2007

June 6, 2007

Editorial Performance is Qualitative NOT quantifiable