How do I keep track of every job?
Sort every job by what it’s waiting on.
- For
- See every job in one place, and what each one needs from you next.
- When
- Each morning, and when a job moves
Try it
6 jobs on a board: 530 done but not billed, and 640 billed and waiting.
To bill today = every job that’s done and not yet billed.
Every job waits on someone; know who.
Worked out
| Step | Waits on | Your move |
|---|---|---|
| Quote sent | Their yes | Nudge them in three days |
| Booked | The day | Buy the parts |
| Done | Your bill | Send it today |
| Billed | Their payment | Chase on the due date |
| Paid | Nothing | Ask for a review |
Easy to get wrong
- Jobs kept in your head.
- Done jobs left a week before billing.
- Quotes sent and never followed up.
- One long list in no order.
The tool for it
Questions
How many steps should a job have?
Few: quote, booked, done, billed, paid. Add one only when you need it.
What do I look at first each day?
Done and not billed: that’s money you can ask for today.
When do I nudge a quote?
Three days after you send it, with one short line.
What if a job is stuck?
Write down what it’s waiting on and who has to move.
Who else should see the board?
Whoever books and bills the work with you.
Paper board or app?
Either works if you look every day. An app reaches you on the job.
What do I do with paid jobs?
Ask for a review, then keep them with the customer and the home.
How many jobs can I track?
As many as you take on; the step each one sits in is what matters.