Timeboxing is never a good idea at the moment. It can feel frustrating when the team is energized, engaged, and ready to keep solving the problem at hand. If we only look at that moment, it never feels like a good idea to stop. If we keep going, we might get more done, and create more value.
As an Agile Coach, I am legally required to say timeboxing still matters, even when it doesn’t feel right. Lucky for me there are some reasons for this:

1. Timeboxing is an investment in the future: If we stick to it now, we teach the team the skill of finishing on time. If we always allow extensions, there’s no reason for anyone to develop that discipline. Without it, people start mentally clearing their schedule “just in case,” which can hurt future productivity.

2. Timeboxing makes room for the unknown: While we’re laser-focused on one issue, there may be other, more urgent problems waiting for attention. By sticking to time, we ensure that the team isn’t tied up here when they might be needed elsewhere.

3. Timeboxing lets people optimize their schedules: If people trust that meetings end on time, they can plan their day more efficiently. Without it, they’ll all start building in buffer time after every meeting, which wastes valuable hours.

Of course, if the issue is so critical that solving it now is the only way the company can survive, you might not need to timebox.

But unless you’re smarter than the collective wisdom of your entire team. It’s usually a good idea to timebox—even when it feels counterintuitive!

Read Also: A Real life example of agile methodology (Spotify)