Problem Solving And Tunnel Vision

 

Sometimes I wonder if I suffer from tunnel vision. Or perhaps I really found the "true source" of project problems.

The question I try to answer for years now is how to make global, virtual and multi cultural projects work?


The answer I found is quite simple and has two elements:

1.

Make sure everyone involved is going after the same goal and envisioning the same result.

A project has a goal, an objective. This is part of the larger context of the goals of the organization.

Individuals have goals, ambitions, interests. If peoples goals are met, they work happy; if not, they don’t.

Job for the Project leader is to align the goals on all levels. Keep on tweaking and adjusting. Make sure everyone understands. Make sure they are all in balance.


2.

Make sure that everybody is using the same approach. I don't care what your rules of engagement are, spiral, incremental, waterfall or spiritual, as long as all involved are adopting the same set of rules.

If you use a “standard” rule set by it’s name, like Scrum, XP, Prince2, you really have to use the entire set that is covered by the label. PINO, as in Prince In Name Only, or SINO, Scrum In Name Only, is worst case. People will assume they are working according to a certain set of rules, when in reality they are not. Total misalignment.


That's it.

Everything else is just a sub theme from this gigantic obvious observation. Communication. Culture. Behavior.

Now my blog and this blog are called "The Project Shrink". There is a reason for that. I want to emphasize “human behavior” in projects and I have difficulty pronouncing “Project Sociologist”.

Cliche alert. To a guy with a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

Or, perhaps more appropriate: to a shrink every problem is psychological.

I view projects as a set of social interactions. And because we all define problems, solutions and things in general from our belief system, I see most project events in terms of communication, culture and behavior.

If I read Standish Chaos Reports about the causes of project failure, I read “80% are communication / people problems”. Others might read “lack of certain process components”, and others might see faulty research.

I find project problems in communication, culture and behavior. It is difficult to determine how much of "reality" is colored by your own preferences and believes.

Even if your topic is about exactly this phenomenon.

So. Tunnel vision? True source?