Every time we get interrupted we lose the train of thought. It takes time to get back to previous state of our minds.
An interruption costs at least 23 minutes and 15 seconds
According to a University of California Irvine study, “it takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back to the task”, meaning that even a quick check for incoming messages, or answering colleagues question can seriously disrupt your flow.
Consider the accumulative time we lose if we interrupted multiple times per day, multiplied by number of people on your team, and you get the idea how much time you are loosing for interruptions.
Suggestions on how to reduce interruption:
You should discuss this topic with your team and clarify why interruptions should be avoided.
Make sure that your onboarding material includes guides how to minimize interruptions from digital tool notifications
Consider including asynchronous processes where the interruptions or handovers don't require synchronous communication