Background:Relation between performance obstacles and workload. Aim:To investigate relation between workload and performance obstacles. Materials and Method: The study was conducted in seven intensive care units at Assiut university hospitals. The study sample consisted of 194 staff nurses. Tools: Data of the present collected through utilizing the following two tools: performance obstacles questionnaire and workload measurement tool. Results: Influential performance obstacles items were that the nursing staff was not enough to handle the number of patient. Recommendations: When planning for a new or renovated critical care unit, in the health care facility should consult an expert in the field of hospital design.