PI's: Managing Multiple Investigations

Managing multiple investigations can be challenging when you have limited investigative resources. Great time management is critical to being successful, by meeting client deadlines while completing quality investigations. Here are a few tips we share with our students in how to manage multiple cases effectively and efficiently: 
 

• Map Timeline for each investigation - Outlining each investigation by the type of investigative action only takes a few minutes and will allow you to find commonalities in tasks and time frames. Start by writing the date(s) then the category of task like interviews, surveillance, research, etc. Include estimates for the amount of time you will need to complete each task. 
• Identify conflicts - Based on your investigative map timeline look for any conflicts where  tasks must be completed at or near the same time. Maybe you have double-booked interviews, etc. Work to resolve those conflicts by sharing the work with colleagues or re-scheduling where possible. 
• "Time-Chunking" - One of the most effective/efficient methods is to put like tasks together. Wherever there is an opportunity to conduct like tasks across multiple investigations in a series it will provide better results. Consider that when you get into the "zone" conducting interviews, you can work more effectively/efficiently by conducting as many interviews during the same time period for different investigations. Same goes for report writing, conducting surveillance (which is often more difficult to schedule), and research tasks. 
• Schedule Reserve Time - You need time after each group of tasks to complete paperwork, evaluate the results, and to allow for unforeseen changes in schedule. When conducting interviews at one location, make sure to leave an hour before starting the next round of interviews on another investigation. Chances are you may run over the scheduled time, and you will need some down time to prepare for the next set of interviews as well as travel time. 

Whenever you take a case it is important to start with the map timeline. As you add additional cases you will already have the information you need to coordinate schedules with your client and look for opportunities to use your time wisely. 

Seldom can investigators conduct their investigations in a totally linear fashion - completing one investigation before beginning the next. Managing your time wisely will improve your ability to complete investigations in a timely manner, while ensuring you maintain the highest quality which includes accuracy, being effective in completing your tasks.