Handling external interruptions

Use the inform–negotiate–schedule–call-back protocol to protect the sprint.

Why it works

External interruptions feel non-negotiable in the moment, but most can be deferred by minutes. A scripted response — acknowledge, propose a later time, agree, follow up — converts an immediate demand into a scheduled one, preserving the sprint while still honoring the request.

How to do it

1. When interrupted, inform the person you’re mid-task.
2. Negotiate a specific time to address their need.
3. Schedule it, then return to the sprint.
4. Call back at the agreed time so people learn the boundary holds.

Evidence

This is a practitioner protocol from Cirillo. It is supported indirectly by interruption research showing that resuming an interrupted task is costly and error-prone, so deferring interruptions protects performance. (mechanistic)

The four-step script itself is unstudied; the underlying cost-of-interruption finding is what is established.

Common mistake

Saying "give me a minute" and then immediately context-switching anyway. The protocol only works if you actually defer the task, not just delay the conversation.