IBM built an empire on the word "think." Why is that concept so radical to many?  Perhaps because we spend much of our time "doing" in an effort to seem busy and productive. But thinking is the most important work we can do and it's key to delivering projects on time. To get people thinking and focused on a project:

• Encourage team members to constantly ask, "What could be done today that would the greatest impact on the future of the project?"
• Keep meeting, including daily huddles, focused. Set meetings for first or last thing in the day or right before lunch.
• Make meetings productive by encouraging decision-makers to make decisions when necessary.
• Encourage balance by keeping the work within the workday. By this I mean don't encourage an environment where "crunch time" is "business as usual." If you do, "crunch time" loses its meaning.
• Remember: there is no silver bullet. Success is the result of a series of tasks done consistently and well. 

Tom's Takeaway:  Don't get caught in a mindless activity trap. Instead, take time each day to think about the project and make decisions thoughtfully. Encourage your team to keep balance by working smart during the workday and saving "crunch time" for the real crunch periods. It's consistency over time that makes the real difference in the end.