Excessive time wasted on information retrieval and administrative tasks
Time is the most valuable asset in any business. Yet, UK employees are losing nine hours every week just searching for the information they need to do their jobs. That’s an entire workday gone—every single week. On top of that, nearly half of their time is spent on administrative tasks that add no real value, like tracking down colleagues for updates or clarifying basic misunderstandings. This is a failure of systems, not people.
The reality is that most companies are operating with outdated or fragmented knowledge management systems. Employees waste time because critical information is scattered across multiple platforms, buried in endless email threads, or locked behind inefficient team structures. Instead of focusing on high-impact work, teams get bogged down in this mess. If we expect people to innovate and solve meaningful problems, we can’t have them burning entire days hunting for data that should already be at their fingertips.
Fixing this starts with designing a smarter flow of information. Companies need streamlined, intuitive systems that make knowledge accessible in seconds, not hours. AI-powered search, real-time data sharing, and seamless collaboration tools should be the norm, not clunky, outdated systems that slow people down. Leaders who fail to prioritize this are allowing unnecessary complexity to drag down their teams’ efficiency and, ultimately, their company’s competitiveness.
The numbers say it all, Atlassian’s research shows that UK employees collectively waste an average of nine hours per week on information searches and lose nearly half their workweek to administrative overhead. That’s a staggering inefficiency, and frankly, it’s totally avoidable with the right systems in place.
Poor cross-team collaboration delays workflows and creates redundancy
When teams don’t communicate effectively, work slows down. Simple tasks become complicated, decisions take longer, and valuable time is wasted waiting for information. More than half of UK employees report that their work is frequently delayed because they have to wait for colleagues to provide essential details. At the same time, over 50% of employees say they often duplicate tasks, unknowingly doing the same work as others because there’s no clear structure for cross-team collaboration. These inefficiencies add unnecessary friction to the workflow and reduce overall productivity.
The issue is a failure to establish structured, transparent processes that enable teams to work together seamlessly. Many companies still rely on fragmented communication channels, leading to gaps in information sharing and decision-making. Instead of leveraging tools and systems that enable real-time collaboration, employees get stuck chasing updates or sitting in unnecessary meetings just to stay aligned. This delays execution and limits the speed at which teams can deliver real business value.
Leaders need to recognize that solving this problem requires creating a company culture where knowledge flows efficiently, where transparency is the default, and where work is structured to minimize duplication. When teams have clear collaboration processes in place, they deliver results—fast. Atlassian’s research shows that 89% of employees in well-structured teams can meet tight deadlines without issue. That’s not a coincidence. Companies that eliminate workflow bottlenecks gain a massive competitive edge.
The data makes this clear—55% of employees say they experience delays because they’re waiting for information, and over 50% report duplicated work, leading to wasted effort. However, when structured collaboration is in place, 89% of workers can consistently meet deadlines. That’s the difference between a company that moves quickly and one that falls behind.
AI holds promise for resolving productivity challenges
Artificial intelligence is already changing how teams work, and the benefits are obvious. AI can accelerate information retrieval, automate repetitive tasks, and enhance decision-making. Nearly 60% of employees believe AI will improve the speed and quality of their work, while 43% say it’s already helping them collaborate more effectively.
Despite this optimism, the reality is that most employees still don’t have the training they need to fully leverage AI. Right now, 67% of workers say they need better proficiency in AI tools to make the most of them. If companies don’t address this gap, they risk leaving significant productivity gains on the table. Leaders need to make sure employees are equipped to use these tools effectively.
What’s missing is a deliberate strategy for AI adoption. Companies must integrate AI in a way that complements human expertise, rather than creating more complexity. This means prioritizing targeted training programs, ensuring workers understand how to apply AI-driven solutions in their daily tasks, and continuously refining AI implementation based on real-world usage. Organizations that do this right will see major improvements in efficiency, while those that ignore training will struggle to see meaningful results.
The numbers are clear—59% of employees believe AI will make their teams more effective, 43% already see AI improving teamwork, but 67% say they need better training to use it properly. Companies that don’t invest in this won’t keep up with those that do.
Standardized processes and unified tools enhance alignment and efficiency
Inconsistent workflows slow businesses down. When teams use different processes and tools, work becomes fragmented, collaboration is inefficient, and execution suffers. Employees spend unnecessary time adapting to varied systems instead of focusing on results. Organizations that standardize their operations remove this friction, creating a smoother, more scalable way of working.
Employees recognize this need. According to Atlassian’s research, 40% of workers want standardized processes for how teams execute tasks, while 30% advocate for synchronizing tools across departments. Without these improvements, teams operate in silos, misalignment increases, and productivity stalls. On the other hand, when systems are unified, information moves seamlessly, execution speeds up, and decision-making improves.
Beyond efficiency, standardization also impacts strategic alignment. When 69% of employees say that having clear goals would help them better support company objectives, the message is obvious: teams struggle when direction is unclear. Eliminating unnecessary complexity in workflows and toolsets creates an environment where employees can focus on outcomes instead of wasting time adapting to inconsistent structures.
The data speaks for itself—40% of employees want standardized workflows, 30% support unified toolsets, and 69% see clear goals as key to aligning with business objectives. Businesses that act on this will move faster and operate more effectively.
Main highlights
- Inefficient information access is a major productivity drain: UK employees lose nine hours weekly searching for information, reducing time spent on meaningful work. Leaders must streamline knowledge management systems to eliminate wasted effort and improve execution speed.
- Poor collaboration leads to delays and redundant work: Over half of employees experience stalled tasks while waiting for information, and many unknowingly duplicate efforts. Companies should implement structured processes and unified communication tools to enhance workflow efficiency.
- AI can boost productivity, but training gaps limit adoption: While 59% of employees see AI as a way to enhance work quality, 67% say they lack the training to use it effectively. Leaders must invest in AI proficiency programs to maximize its impact on team performance.
- Standardized processes and tools improve efficiency and alignment: Fragmented workflows and inconsistent tool usage slow execution, with 69% of employees citing clear goals as key to better alignment. Companies that unify their systems and processes will accelerate productivity and strategic execution.
