Encyclopedia of Managerial Techniques

Management by Calendar (MBC)

(Strategic Planning / Time Management)

A management approach where the primary focus is on having meetings, scheduling events, and ensuring a fully booked calendar, rather than achieving concrete goals or delivering measurable results. The belief underlying MBC is that well-structured scheduling inherently leads to productivity.

Examples from practice

A manager who attends back-to-back meetings without making a single decision; an executive who equates a busy schedule with effectiveness, regardless of tangible output.

Advantages

Ensures regular interactions among team members; prevents idle time.

Disadvantages

Often results in "meeting fatigue"; actual work is postponed indefinitely; critical decisions are delayed.

See also