New Tool Uses Neuroscience to Optimize Team Meeting Schedules

A new scheduling tool, When2DoWhat, is helping teams improve focus and collaboration by aligning meetings with natural biological rhythms. The free tool uses neuroscience to match meeting types with optimal times based on individual chronotypes and time zones. Takeda, a global biopharmaceutical company, has already used this approach to enhance employee experience and teamwork. The method relies on the fact that each person has daily cycles of peak, trough, and recovery periods in cognitive performance.

The tool was developed with contributions from Elizabeth (Zab) Johnson, Michael Platt, Xiangyu Jiang, Shreyas Singh, Elizabeth Beard, Natalie Richardson, Rene Putz, Ryan McCreedy, and Kevin Nunley. It is linked to the executive education programme The Neuroscience of Business: Innovations in Leadership and Strategic Decisions.

By understanding chronotype differences, teams can schedule meetings at times when members are most alert. This awareness helps avoid unproductive sessions and boosts overall effectiveness. When2DoWhat offers a practical way to apply neuroscience in the workplace. Companies like Takeda have seen benefits in employee engagement and meeting efficiency. The tool is available for free and considers individual differences to optimise team performance.