Parkinson’s law

What is Parkinson’s law?

Definition of Parkinson’s law

Parkinson’s law states that “work expands to fill the time available for its completion.” Coined by British historian and essayist Cyril Northcote Parkinson in 1955, this law highlights a common reality in the workplace: the more time is allotted to a task, the more time it will take to complete it—even if it could have been done faster.

In other words, if you allocate two days for a task that could be completed in two hours, it’s likely to take the full two days. This is often due to procrastination, overcomplication, or poor prioritization.

Why is Parkinson’s law important in time management?

Parkinson’s law is especially relevant in time management because it emphasizes the importance of setting realistic deadlines and structuring tasks with discipline. It warns against the effects of overly generous timeframes for simple tasks, which can harm productivity and organizational efficiency.

It is used to:

• Optimize workload per task;
• Reduce time waste in processes;
• Promote shorter, more agile production cycles.

Tools such as an electronic calendar or project management software help better plan and manage the time allocated to each task.

Application in SMEs and the construction sector

In small and medium-sized businesses, especially in operational sectors like construction, Parkinson’s law often appears in:

• Poorly managed administrative tasks;
• Project follow-up without clear deadlines;
• Lack of appropriate time and task management tools.

Using solutions like an employee time tracking app or a digital timesheet helps counter these issues by setting clear and measurable goals.

Frequently asked questions about Parkinson’s law

How can you avoid the negative effects of Parkinson’s law?

To reduce the impact of Parkinson’s law:

• Set short but realistic deadlines for each task;
• Break projects into clear steps with due dates;
• Use real-time planning tools for precise tracking;
• Foster a culture of accountability and performance measurement.

Does Parkinson’s law apply only to individuals?

No. This law also applies to organizations, particularly in bureaucratic management. Parkinson originally observed it in the disproportionate growth of public administration, where work increases without gains in productivity simply because structures expand.

Is it related to other time management concepts?

Yes, it is often mentioned alongside:

• The Pareto principle (80/20);
• Murphy’s law (“anything that can go wrong will go wrong”);
• And Hofstadter’s law (“it always takes longer than you expect”).

It is also related to the concept of time theft and the lack of internal process efficiency within companies.