Why Large Tasks Fail: The 2-Hour Rule Secret

God Object WBS: The Anti-Pattern of Project Management ## Characteristics of God Task ## The 2-Hour Rule: The Magic Number ## Psychological Reason ## Practical Reasons ## Real Case: Payment System Implementation ## Before: God Task Approach ## After: Applying 2-Hour Rule ## Failure Probability by Task Size ## Techniques for Breaking Down Large Tasks ## 1. Start with Verbs ## 2. Divide by CRUD ## 3. Divide by Layer ## 4. Divide by Scenario ## 2-Hour Rule Checklist ## Practical Application: Daily Planning ## Morning (4 hours) ## Afternoon (4 hours) ## Team Application Cases ## Case 1: Startup A Team ## Case 2: Enterprise B Team ## Tools and Automation ## WBS Auto-Split Script ## Common Objections and Responses ## "Management Overhead is Too High" ## "Creative Work Can't Be Time-Estimated" ## "Urgent Tasks Come Frequently" ## Conclusion: Small Divisions Lead to Big Wins "4 weeks should be enough for backend development, right?" Hearing this sends chills down my spine. What exactly is "backend development"? I discovered this while reviewing a startup's WBS: I asked each person what "backend development" means: 4 people had 4 different thoughts. In software development, there's an anti-pattern called God Object. One class does too many things. Project management has the exact same problem: God Task. Common characteristics of these tasks: After analyzing numerous projects, I discovered one pattern. Average task size of successful projects: 1-2 hours Actual data analysis results: Over 8 hours, more than half get delayed. Check when creating tasks: If any answer is "no", break it down further. 4 tasks per day = clear progress After (Applying 2-Hour Rule): Answer: It feels that way at first, but the benefits of clear progress and predictability are much greater. Answer: Creative work can also be divided into "Ideation 2 hours", "Prototype 2 hours", etc. Answer: Working in 2-hour units allows quick response to urgent tasks too. "Divide and Conquer" isn't just for algorithms. Dividing tasks into 2 hours: Try it in your next project. Instead of "Backend development 4 weeks", use "20 APIs × 2 hours". You'll experience amazing changes. Need systematic WBS management with the 2-hour rule? Check out Plexo. Templates let you quickly answer FAQs or store snippets for re-use. Are you sure you want to hide this comment? It will become hidden in your post, but will still be visible via the comment's permalink. Hide child comments as well For further actions, you may consider blocking this person and/or reporting abuse CODE_BLOCK: Project Schedule (3 months) ├── Planning (2 weeks) ├── Design (2 weeks) ├── Backend Development (4 weeks) ← ??? ├── Frontend Development (4 weeks) ← ??? └── Testing and Deployment (2 weeks) Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode CODE_BLOCK: Project Schedule (3 months) ├── Planning (2 weeks) ├── Design (2 weeks) ├── Backend Development (4 weeks) ← ??? ├── Frontend Development (4 weeks) ← ??? └── Testing and Deployment (2 weeks) CODE_BLOCK: Project Schedule (3 months) ├── Planning (2 weeks) ├── Design (2 weeks) ├── Backend Development (4 weeks) ← ??? ├── Frontend Development (4 weeks) ← ??? └── Testing and Deployment (2 weeks) CODE_BLOCK: ❌ God Task Examples: - "Backend Development" (160 hours) - "Frontend Implementation" (120 hours) - "System Integration" (80 hours) - "Bug Fixes" (?? hours) Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode CODE_BLOCK: ❌ God Task Examples: - "Backend Development" (160 hours) - "Frontend Implementation" (120 hours) - "System Integration" (80 hours) - "Bug Fixes" (?? hours) CODE_BLOCK: ❌ God Task Examples: - "Backend Development" (160 hours) - "Frontend Implementation" (120 hours) - "System Integration" (80 hours) - "Bug Fixes" (?? hours) COMMAND_BLOCK: # Human concentration limits focus_duration = { "Deep focus": 90, # minutes - ultradian rhythm "Normal focus": 45, # minutes - 2 pomodoro sessions "Rest needed": 15 # minutes } # Ideal work unit ideal_task = focus_duration["Deep focus"] + focus_duration["Rest needed"] # = 105 minutes ≈ 2 hours Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode COMMAND_BLOCK: # Human concentration limits focus_duration = { "Deep focus": 90, # minutes - ultradian rhythm "Normal focus": 45, # minutes - 2 pomodoro sessions "Rest needed": 15 # minutes } # Ideal work unit ideal_task = focus_duration["Deep focus"] + focus_duration["Rest needed"] # = 105 minutes ≈ 2 hours COMMAND_BLOCK: # Human concentration limits focus_duration = { "Deep focus": 90, # minutes - ultradian rhythm "Normal focus": 45, # minutes - 2 pomodoro sessions "Rest needed": 15 # minutes } # Ideal work unit ideal_task = focus_duration["Deep focus"] + focus_duration["Rest needed"] # = 105 minutes ≈ 2 hours CODE_BLOCK: Payment System Implementation (40 hours) └── (What should I do...?) Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode CODE_BLOCK: Payment System Implementation (40 hours) └── (What should I do...?) CODE_BLOCK: Payment System Implementation (40 hours) └── (What should I do...?) CODE_BLOCK: Payment System Implementation (40 hours) ├── 1. Payment Process Design (4 hours) │ ├── 1.1 Payment Flow Diagram (2 hours) │ └── 1.2 Exception Scenarios Definition (2 hours) ├── 2. Stripe Integration (8 hours) │ ├── 2.1 Stripe Account Setup (1 hour) │ ├── 2.2 Customer Creation API (2 hours) │ ├── 2.3 Payment Intent API (2 hours) │ ├── 2.4 Webhook Processing (2 hours) │ └── 2.5 Error Handling (1 hour) ├── 3. Database (6 hours) │ ├── 3.1 Payment Table Design (2 hours) │ ├── 3.2 Migration Writing (2 hours) │ └── 3.3 Transaction Processing (2 hours) ├── 4. Business Logic (10 hours) │ ├── 4.1 Payment Validation Logic (2 hours) │ ├── 4.2 Retry Logic (2 hours) │ ├── 4.3 Refund Processing (2 hours) │ ├── 4.4 Subscription Management (2 hours) │ └── 4.5 Notification Sending (2 hours) ├── 5. Frontend (8 hours) │ ├── 5.1 Payment Form UI (2 hours) │ ├── 5.2 Card Info Validation (2 hours) │ ├── 5.3 3D Secure Processing (2 hours) │ └── 5.4 Payment Status Display (2 hours) └── 6. Testing (4 hours) ├── 6.1 Unit Tests (2 hours) └── 6.2 E2E Tests (2 hours) Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode CODE_BLOCK: Payment System Implementation (40 hours) ├── 1. Payment Process Design (4 hours) │ ├── 1.1 Payment Flow Diagram (2 hours) │ └── 1.2 Exception Scenarios Definition (2 hours) ├── 2. Stripe Integration (8 hours) │ ├── 2.1 Stripe Account Setup (1 hour) │ ├── 2.2 Customer Creation API (2 hours) │ ├── 2.3 Payment Intent API (2 hours) │ ├── 2.4 Webhook Processing (2 hours) │ └── 2.5 Error Handling (1 hour) ├── 3. Database (6 hours) │ ├── 3.1 Payment Table Design (2 hours) │ ├── 3.2 Migration Writing (2 hours) │ └── 3.3 Transaction Processing (2 hours) ├── 4. Business Logic (10 hours) │ ├── 4.1 Payment Validation Logic (2 hours) │ ├── 4.2 Retry Logic (2 hours) │ ├── 4.3 Refund Processing (2 hours) │ ├── 4.4 Subscription Management (2 hours) │ └── 4.5 Notification Sending (2 hours) ├── 5. Frontend (8 hours) │ ├── 5.1 Payment Form UI (2 hours) │ ├── 5.2 Card Info Validation (2 hours) │ ├── 5.3 3D Secure Processing (2 hours) │ └── 5.4 Payment Status Display (2 hours) └── 6. Testing (4 hours) ├── 6.1 Unit Tests (2 hours) └── 6.2 E2E Tests (2 hours) CODE_BLOCK: Payment System Implementation (40 hours) ├── 1. Payment Process Design (4 hours) │ ├── 1.1 Payment Flow Diagram (2 hours) │ └── 1.2 Exception Scenarios Definition (2 hours) ├── 2. Stripe Integration (8 hours) │ ├── 2.1 Stripe Account Setup (1 hour) │ ├── 2.2 Customer Creation API (2 hours) │ ├── 2.3 Payment Intent API (2 hours) │ ├── 2.4 Webhook Processing (2 hours) │ └── 2.5 Error Handling (1 hour) ├── 3. Database (6 hours) │ ├── 3.1 Payment Table Design (2 hours) │ ├── 3.2 Migration Writing (2 hours) │ └── 3.3 Transaction Processing (2 hours) ├── 4. Business Logic (10 hours) │ ├── 4.1 Payment Validation Logic (2 hours) │ ├── 4.2 Retry Logic (2 hours) │ ├── 4.3 Refund Processing (2 hours) │ ├── 4.4 Subscription Management (2 hours) │ └── 4.5 Notification Sending (2 hours) ├── 5. Frontend (8 hours) │ ├── 5.1 Payment Form UI (2 hours) │ ├── 5.2 Card Info Validation (2 hours) │ ├── 5.3 3D Secure Processing (2 hours) │ └── 5.4 Payment Status Display (2 hours) └── 6. Testing (4 hours) ├── 6.1 Unit Tests (2 hours) └── 6.2 E2E Tests (2 hours) CODE_BLOCK: Task Size vs Delay Probability: 1 hour: 5% delay 2 hours: 8% delay 4 hours: 25% delay 8 hours: 45% delay 16 hours: 70% delay 40+ hours: 95% delay Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode CODE_BLOCK: Task Size vs Delay Probability: 1 hour: 5% delay 2 hours: 8% delay 4 hours: 25% delay 8 hours: 45% delay 16 hours: 70% delay 40+ hours: 95% delay CODE_BLOCK: Task Size vs Delay Probability: 1 hour: 5% delay 2 hours: 8% delay 4 hours: 25% delay 8 hours: 45% delay 16 hours: 70% delay 40+ hours: 95% delay CODE_BLOCK: ❌ "User Management" ✅ "Implement User Creation API" ✅ "Implement User Query API" ✅ "Implement User Update API" Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode CODE_BLOCK: ❌ "User Management" ✅ "Implement User Creation API" ✅ "Implement User Query API" ✅ "Implement User Update API" CODE_BLOCK: ❌ "User Management" ✅ "Implement User Creation API" ✅ "Implement User Query API" ✅ "Implement User Update API" CODE_BLOCK: "Product Management Feature" → - Create: Product Registration (2 hours) - Read: Product Query (1 hour) - Update: Product Update (2 hours) - Delete: Product Deletion (1 hour) Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode CODE_BLOCK: "Product Management Feature" → - Create: Product Registration (2 hours) - Read: Product Query (1 hour) - Update: Product Update (2 hours) - Delete: Product Deletion (1 hour) CODE_BLOCK: "Product Management Feature" → - Create: Product Registration (2 hours) - Read: Product Query (1 hour) - Update: Product Update (2 hours) - Delete: Product Deletion (1 hour) CODE_BLOCK: "Login Feature" → - DB: Create User Table (1 hour) - Model: Define User Model (1 hour) - Service: Implement Auth Logic (2 hours) - Controller: API Endpoint (1 hour) - View: Login Form UI (2 hours) Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode CODE_BLOCK: "Login Feature" → - DB: Create User Table (1 hour) - Model: Define User Model (1 hour) - Service: Implement Auth Logic (2 hours) - Controller: API Endpoint (1 hour) - View: Login Form UI (2 hours) CODE_BLOCK: "Login Feature" → - DB: Create User Table (1 hour) - Model: Define User Model (1 hour) - Service: Implement Auth Logic (2 hours) - Controller: API Endpoint (1 hour) - View: Login Form UI (2 hours) CODE_BLOCK: "Payment Processing" → - Happy Path: Normal Payment (2 hours) - Insufficient Funds Handling (1 hour) - Card Decline Handling (1 hour) - Network Error Handling (2 hours) Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode CODE_BLOCK: "Payment Processing" → - Happy Path: Normal Payment (2 hours) - Insufficient Funds Handling (1 hour) - Card Decline Handling (1 hour) - Network Error Handling (2 hours) CODE_BLOCK: "Payment Processing" → - Happy Path: Normal Payment (2 hours) - Insufficient Funds Handling (1 hour) - Card Decline Handling (1 hour) - Network Error Handling (2 hours) CODE_BLOCK: 09:00-11:00: Task 1 (2 hours) 11:00-11:15: Break 11:15-13:00: Task 2 (1 hour 45 minutes) Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode CODE_BLOCK: 09:00-11:00: Task 1 (2 hours) 11:00-11:15: Break 11:15-13:00: Task 2 (1 hour 45 minutes) CODE_BLOCK: 09:00-11:00: Task 1 (2 hours) 11:00-11:15: Break 11:15-13:00: Task 2 (1 hour 45 minutes) CODE_BLOCK: 14:00-16:00: Task 3 (2 hours) 16:00-16:15: Break 16:15-18:00: Task 4 (1 hour 45 minutes) Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode CODE_BLOCK: 14:00-16:00: Task 3 (2 hours) 16:00-16:15: Break 16:15-18:00: Task 4 (1 hour 45 minutes) CODE_BLOCK: 14:00-16:00: Task 3 (2 hours) 16:00-16:15: Break 16:15-18:00: Task 4 (1 hour 45 minutes) COMMAND_BLOCK: def split_large_task(task, max_hours=2): """Automatically split large tasks""" if task.estimated_hours <= max_hours: return [task] # Split by CRUD pattern subtasks = [] operations = ['Create', 'Read', 'Update', 'Delete'] for op in operations: subtask = Task( name=f"{op} {task.name}", hours=task.estimated_hours / len(operations) ) if subtask.hours <= max_hours: subtasks.append(subtask) else: # Split smaller subtasks.extend(split_by_components(subtask)) return subtasks Enter fullscreen mode Exit fullscreen mode COMMAND_BLOCK: def split_large_task(task, max_hours=2): """Automatically split large tasks""" if task.estimated_hours <= max_hours: return [task] # Split by CRUD pattern subtasks = [] operations = ['Create', 'Read', 'Update', 'Delete'] for op in operations: subtask = Task( name=f"{op} {task.name}", hours=task.estimated_hours / len(operations) ) if subtask.hours <= max_hours: subtasks.append(subtask) else: # Split smaller subtasks.extend(split_by_components(subtask)) return subtasks COMMAND_BLOCK: def split_large_task(task, max_hours=2): """Automatically split large tasks""" if task.estimated_hours <= max_hours: return [task] # Split by CRUD pattern subtasks = [] operations = ['Create', 'Read', 'Update', 'Delete'] for op in operations: subtask = Task( name=f"{op} {task.name}", hours=task.estimated_hours / len(operations) ) if subtask.hours <= max_hours: subtasks.append(subtask) else: # Split smaller subtasks.extend(split_by_components(subtask)) return subtasks - PM: "Just making a few APIs, right?" - Developer A: "Everything from DB design to API, authentication, payments" - Developer B: "We'll decide as we go" - CTO: "Cloud infrastructure setup is included, right?" - Ambiguous about what exactly to do - Impossible to measure progress - Unclear completion criteria - Different people understand differently - Morning/Afternoon Units: Good for dividing a day into 4 blocks - Progress Perception: Completing 2-3 tasks daily → sense of achievement - Reviewable: 2-hour tasks can be reviewed in 30 minutes - Easy to Fix: If wrong, only 2 hours wasted - After 2 weeks: "50% progress" (really?) - After 3 weeks: "Almost done" (how much?) - After 4 weeks: "Just a bit more..." (until when?) - After 6 weeks: Complete (2 weeks late) - Daily: "Completed 2.1, 2.2 today" (clear) - After 1 week: "10 of 20 completed" (accurate 50%) - After 2 weeks: "18 completed, 2 remaining" (almost done) - After 2.5 weeks: Complete (ahead of schedule!) - [ ] Can it be finished within 2 hours? - [ ] Does it have a specific deliverable? - [ ] Is the completion criteria clear? - [ ] Can one person do it? - [ ] Is it testable? - Average task size: 16 hours - Project delay rate: 80% - Team satisfaction: Low - Average task size: 2.5 hours - Project delay rate: 15% - Team satisfaction: High - Week 1: "Isn't this too broken down?" - Week 2: "It's clearer than I thought" - Week 3: "I can see the progress!" - Week 4: "Why didn't we do this earlier?" - Progress becomes clear - Schedule prediction becomes accurate - Team members become happy - Projects succeed