Rule · when
Give each piece its own deadline
Separate due dates for sub-tasks.
Studies (3)
Paper
A school group course on planning and memory didn't clearly beat no courseTestedNo differenceA group course on small steps, deadlines, daily plans and memory worked no better than normal school.
Small randomised trial of 30 secondary school students in Tehran · vs students who carried on with normal school · they rated themselves · ⚠ summary claims more than the results show; numbers unreliable
Paper
Mini-deadlines, a list of benefits and early marks got work in soonerTestedHelpedStudents who split work into dated parts, listed benefits and earned early marks handed in three days ahead of others.
Randomised trial of 308 secondary school students in Hong Kong · vs the same assignment and a video on relaxing · behaviour was recorded · ⚠ student thesis, not checked by other scientists; whole groups were assigned, not people
TestedNo differenceThe same package, with a checklist for removing distractions, didn't change how much students said they put things off.
Randomised trial of 308 secondary school students in Hong Kong · vs the same assignment and a video on relaxing · behaviour was recorded · ⚠ student thesis, not checked by other scientists; whole groups were assigned, not people
Paper
A bonus for early work and a late penalty got coursework in soonerUsedHelpedA bonus for early work and a late penalty got work in 4 days sooner than plain due dates.
Randomised trial of 189 student teachers in an online course · vs the same due dates as guidance only · behaviour was recorded · ⚠ student thesis, not checked by other scientists
Often used with it
Rule · how6
Bonus for early, small penalty for lateGraded consequences for timing, with a grace window.
