Double booking
A state in which multiple events overlap in the same time period, mainly caused by poor calendar management.
A state in which two or more events are registered overlapping in the same time period is called double booking. It happens in many situations, such as a meeting room booked twice, a person’s events overlapping, and overbooking of flights or hotels. In business, double booking can also damage trust with the other party.
Causes of double booking
Prevention
One prevention measure is to use calendar sharing thoroughly and manage all events in one place. Another approach is to connect your scheduling tool to your calendar so that confirmed events are reflected on the calendar and new bookings in the same time period are blocked.
What to do first when it happens
When you notice a double booking, what matters more than deciding which one to move is “telling both parties immediately that you noticed.” The longer you stay silent, the less room the other person has to reschedule. When choosing which one to move, one approach is to prioritize the events that cannot move (outside parties / many people / an already-booked venue) and, for the side you move, offer 2-3 alternative options along with an apology. Detailed criteria are covered in Resolving schedule conflicts.