Longer externally imposed time limits can increase estimates of task scope and completion time even when the limits are arbitrary and behaviorally irrelevant.

Format Online paper / PDF

Location PART 1 - TONS OF PUNKS, ONE BIG JERK CHAPTER 3: TOUCHGRASS When Deadlines Become a Plan

"Longer externally imposed time limits can increase estimates of task scope and completion time even when the limits are arbitrary and behaviorally irrelevant."

Across multiple studies, longer time limits increased perceived task scope and estimated completion time, including when the limits were random or unknown to the worker.

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Source title More time, more work: How time limits bias estimates of task scope and project duration

Source authors Indranil Goswami; Oleg Urminsky

Source year 2020

Confidence high

Importance high