Parkinson's Law
Work expands to fill the time available for its completion.
When to Use
Set clear time constraints
Provide users with clear deadlines or time limits to help them focus and complete tasks efficiently.
Use progress indicators
Show time remaining or progress made to help users manage their time effectively.
Design for efficiency
Create interfaces that help users complete tasks quickly and efficiently, rather than encouraging them to take longer than necessary.
When to Avoid
Don't create artificial pressure
While time constraints can be helpful, avoid creating unnecessary stress or pressure that could harm the user experience.
Origin
Parkinson's Law was articulated by British historian and author Cyril Northcote Parkinson in a 1955 essay for The Economist. He observed that work expands to fill the time available, meaning that if you give someone a week to complete a task, they'll likely take the full week, even if the task could be completed in less time. This principle has implications for interface design and task management.