E-mail Priorities

Summary
How fast should we respond to email?

Amit Asaravala writes on managing e-mail. He proposes that high priority means today, low means that no answer is needed and normal means within a week. He also says to pick up the phone if something is more urgent than “today”. Sounds good to me. I also use different communication mechanisms depending on urgency and type of information needed:

• Instant Messaging for short questions or “heads-up” type communications
• E-mail for detailed stuff or if a more formal record is needed.
• Phone call if it’s really urgent or needs high-bandwith. Sometimes I switch over from IM to phone for complicated discussions.
• SMS if it’s urgent and can’t get through to the person. Makes sure he knows my number (no “unknown caller” problem) and can read it even in a meeting.