Good Systems · public information library
What can I do at work to help someone when planning helps one day and overwhelms them the next?
People come here to understand why something in everyday life feels harder, different or more costly than it should — and what might make it work better.
Short answer
Use planning as a light tool, not another layer of work.
What this can look like
A planning process can become a second job: repeated updates, duplicate spreadsheets and meetings with no decisions.
Why it can happen
A plan helps when it reduces uncertainty; it overwhelms when it creates too many fields, meetings and reporting loops. Keep the planning proportionate to the decision.
What might help
Cut planning to the decisions it supports. Remove fields, reports and meetings that do not change a real action.
What the research helps explain
Executive-function research describes attention, working memory and flexibility as limited, context-sensitive processes. Australian work guidance recognises that cognitive demands, time pressure, role clarity, support and control can shape whether work is manageable.
What can vary
Do not infer a diagnosis, capability level or private health information from a work pattern. Ask about the task conditions, provide equitable options and handle performance concerns fairly.
For this situation
For you, remove a reporting requirement before adding another template.
More info and original sources
Poko summarises the relevance of public original sources and links out for anyone who wants to read more.
- Executive Functions — Explains attention, working memory and flexibility in goal-directed tasks.
- Job demands — Australian guidance on cognitive demands, role clarity, workload, control and support.