Productivity and Automation Training Course

Duration 3 days – 21 hrs

 

Overview

 

This training equips participants with practical strategies, tools, and automation techniques to improve personal and team productivity in daily work. Learners will identify time-wasting activities, simplify workflows, and apply automation using widely used workplace tools (Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace, task management apps, forms, templates, and low-code automation platforms). The course emphasizes hands-on exercises to help participants build repeatable systems for faster execution, fewer errors, and better work-life efficiency.

 

Objectives

 

• Identify productivity blockers and eliminate common workflow inefficiencies
• Apply time and task management frameworks for better daily execution
• Create structured workflows using checklists, templates, and standard processes
• Automate repetitive tasks using low-code/no-code tools
• Improve email, calendar, meeting, and documentation efficiency
• Use digital tools for collaboration, tracking, and reporting
• Apply best practices for sustainable productivity habits and continuous improvement

 

 

 

Audience

 

• Business Users & Knowledge Workers
• Team Leads, Supervisors, and Managers
• Operations, Admin, HR, Finance, Sales, and Customer Service Teams
• Project Coordinators, PMO Analysts, and Business Analysts
• Anyone handling repetitive reporting, documentation, coordination, or follow-ups

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre- requisites

 

• Basic computer skills (Windows/Mac)
• Familiarity with email, spreadsheets, and document tools
• Recommended (not required): Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace access
• No programming background required

 

 

Course Content

 

Productivity Systems and Workflow Optimization

 

Module 1: Productivity Fundamentals

 

• What productivity really means (output vs. busyness)
• Common productivity killers in the workplace
• The productivity lifecycle: plan → execute → review → improve

 

Module 2: Time, Focus, and Work Management

 

• Prioritization methods (Eisenhower Matrix, MoSCoW, 80/20 rule)
• Time blocking and calendar-based planning
• Managing interruptions and context switching
• Creating a daily “execution plan”

 

Module 3: Task and Work Tracking Tools

 

• Building a simple task system (to-do, doing, done)
• Personal vs. team task tracking
• Tools overview (Microsoft To Do / Planner / Trello / Notion basics)
• Exercise: create your own task dashboard

 

Module 4: Standardization for Efficiency

 

• Using templates, checklists, and reusable formats
• File naming conventions and folder organization
• Quick-win process improvements using Lean thinking
• Activity: design a standard workflow for a common task (reports, requests, onboarding, etc.)

Module 5: Smarter Email, Meetings, and Documentation

 

• Inbox management and rules (folders, filters, labels)
• Writing faster with reusable email templates
• Meeting discipline: agenda, outcomes, and action tracking
• Collaboration tips using shared docs and comments

 

Practical Automation and Digital Workflows

 

Module 6: Introduction to Workplace Automation

 

• What tasks are best to automate?
• Automation vs. delegation vs. elimination
• Risks and limits: quality control, approvals, security, compliance

 

Module 7: Spreadsheet Productivity Boosters

 

• Smart spreadsheet practices (data validation, drop-downs, cleaning)
• Useful functions for productivity (IF, XLOOKUP, FILTER, UNIQUE, TEXT, date logic)
• Automating reports with structured tables and templates
• Exercise: build a simple tracker + auto-summary dashboard

Module 8: Forms + Approvals + Automated Tracking

• Creating digital request workflows using Forms
• Routing requests and approvals
• Capturing and tracking inputs automatically
• Activity: create a request form + linked tracker sheet

 

Module 9: No-Code / Low-Code Automation Tools (Hands-on)

(Choose based on client environment)

• Microsoft Power Automate basics: triggers, actions, flows
  or
• Google Apps Script / Workspace automation concept overview (optional)

Sample automations:

• Auto-email notifications when a form is submitted
• Auto-create tasks when an email arrives
• Auto-save attachments to folders
• Auto-reminders for deadlines and follow-ups

 

 

Module 10: Creating Your Personal Automation Plan

 

• Identify 3 repetitive tasks to automate after training
• Build a simple automation roadmap:
  • Quick wins (this week)
  • Mid-term improvements (30 days)
  • Team-level workflow upgrades (60–90 days)
• Final outputs and presentation of each participant’s automation plan