Multitasking - an outdated ideal?

We have been constantly lectured on the virtues of multi-tasking, but is it really effective? So what is multi-tasking? Walking and chewing gum? Walking and farting? Taking a leak in the shower or putting on make-up or shaving in the car on the way to work? To my way of thinking, this is a time management issue - instead, why not get out of bed 15 minutes earlier? Then there is always driving and texting, should we really be promoting activities that cause series injury or death?

In management circles, multi-tasking is being increasingly viewed as an ineffectual strategy as the potential to end up with a bunch of half completed and shoddy tasks ultimately results. We came onto a nightshift in an underground mine and there was broken down machines parked in front of the workshop, in the workshop and alongside the workshop - this was a huge hit to productivity. The leading-hand ordered the mechanics to repair individual machines and despite my protests, we all set off to work.

After three hours of hard labour and all machines still parked up, the leading-hand feeling the pressure was open to suggestions. We worked out which machine could be back and running first and hit the job with man-power, we split into two teams and concentrated the work effort. When the repairs were complete, that machine rolled back into production and the team moved onto the next task, when that machine was back working the team hit the next job. Machines now rolled out of the workshop at regular intervals and the production management was reasonably happy. A concentrated effort was the best strategy in this situation and just about every situation.