Smart Devices, Wiser Teams

Andy Jordan is President of Roffensian Consulting S.A., a Roatan, Honduras-based management consulting firm with a comprehensive project management practice. Andy always appreciates feedback and discussion on the issues raised in his articles and can be reached at [email protected]. Andy's new book Risk Management for Project Driven Organizations is now available.

  Communications Management   Estimating   ProjectsAtWork  

We should leverage technology to free our teams to focus on higher value work, but if our devices become disruptive, or replace sound judgment, we are increasing project and organizational risk instead. Rules for using technology can help, but the biggest impact will come from showing teams by example.

Technology is making our lives far easier than it was a few years ago, but as leaders we need to ensure we are leveraging that technology appropriately.

I commute to most of my clients on a commuter train that has two levels. The upstairs is designated a ‘quiet zone’ for people who wish to sleep — no talking, no cell phones. It’s a fairly recent feature, and it seems to be fairly popular, but I have to wonder how much longer it will be necessary. When I look around the lower level of the train I see very little conversation occurring, either face-to-face or over cell phones. Instead, people are glued to their smart devices: emailing, texting, streaming. It is clear these devices have brought tremendous power and connectivity to the palms of our hands, but I have to wonder if they are hurting our communication.

France is considering a law banning organizations of more than 50 employees contacting their workforce outside of business hours. A number of companies have implemented similar restrictions on their own, preventing email exchanges outside of …

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