October
2003 Newsletter Undulation Elucidation The corporate marketing group wanted their system of tracking jobs to evolve from one of shared Microsoft Office documents to an online database on their Intranet. Simplicity was stressed from the initial discovery meetings through development and testing. Client decisions were swift and final. Installation, deployment and training were wrapped up in an afternoon. The process was not for the faint of heart. Simplicity is bold. In this case, a team of highly experienced project managers needed to track and report key job information for fifteen different project types. Typically, each type would be scrutinized for every possible specification and interim deadline. This is generally appropriate, but inevitably results in a higher maintenance system. Sometimes less is indeed more. Were talking guerilla project management here. These veterans dont need a form for every possible scenario on the planet. Instead, their new online database provides a basic framework. Project Managers then utilize the appropriate tools and skills to produce an ad, article, brochure, video, spec sheet, trade show, or the ever-popular miscellaneous. The system launched four months ago, and has performed flawlessly. We love it! exclaimed our client during a recent call. This reinforces one of our fundamental theories: The ultimate system complements the skills of its users. It is possible to inhibit productivity with complexity. This system provides a core set of project management tools, and allows stakeholders around the world to monitor their projects and run reports using nothing but a Web browser. This workgroup now spends its time working on projects, not maintaining a project system. It wouldnt work for everyone, but its the right solution for this particular team of specialists. Your
Complete Satisfaction But its so subjective, he says. Well, yeah. But then we sort of quantify that bold measure of success: The quality of our work is guaranteed. We will absorb any and all expenses and third party consulting fees necessary to meet the objectives of this project. Somehow, this provides little consolation to the legal mind. So what. If our clients commit their time and resources and sign off on our bold plans, then exactly why wouldnt their complete satisfaction be the ultimate objective? Alas, we cant please everyone. For now, thats just going to have to be our attorney. Summer
Torpor, Autumn Glee But the first few cool mornings in September somehow make such challenges much less daunting. Its, like, I can breathe again. Those
Wacky Japanese
Its not Haiku, but Be well, do good work and keep in touch.
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