Lost time on Status check ins from the Client

We recently had a discussion about how much time is lost to the simple phone call or email from a client asking about the status of their project.  (so we wrote a blog about it)

It sounds like such a small thing.  Added together though, these interruptions can become a real time suck.  Even if you immediately know the client, project and its current status you still need to stop what you are doing, answer the question and then get back into the task you were working on.  

Take it a step further when you are not familiar with the project or are unsure of its status.  Now you need to look it all up, jot down a note, track the employee/manager in charge and then get back to the client.  A simple (and warranted form the client if you are not proactive) request from the client.  Can turn into something not so simple.  

How often does it happen and what do you do to try to prevent it or deal with it?

We recently wrote a blog about this.

Survey Client Communication: The Real Cost | KudurruStone