Shabba Ranks And Creating Boundaries For Your Project

 

I see a lot of people running (as in the "exercise" thing) with their iPods on. Earplugs in, and trying to catch the rhythm pumped into their ears.

That's great. You get into your zone. Just you and the environment. Running with golden tunes, making you utterly happy.

It's bliss when you can keep some sounds out. It is hard thinking with someone yapping on the phone next to you.

Isolation. It has its advantages.

Until you're hit by a truck. A big yellow truck you didn't hear because you were chilling to Shabba Ranks.

"Mr Loverman."
"Shabba!"

Now, this has something to do with projects.

A project is a temporary structure within the host organization. This cocoon, yes - your project, allows you to do your thing without having too much interference from the outside world. Read: stakeholders, managers, men in black.

Think about it as a hospital tent set up in a field. It allows the doctors to perform surgery isolated from what happens around them. It provides focus and shelter. It’s not a fortress. The walls are thin and allow for surrounding noises to enter. It’s put up when needed and taken away when it has served its purpose.

Isolation is not the key. Key is tranquility. A chilling atmosphere.

You need to let information from the stakeholders in. They have changes. They bring gifts of incredible awesomeness. They have power. The power to run you over like a big yellow truck.

Let me provide you with two example of boundaries.

The old famous and loyal change procedure. You can set it up to be fluent and swift. Small quantified changes come in and can be absorbed somewhere in the process. Or you can setup your own version of the Atlantic Wall: nothing can get past it. You need five approvals from a board with four members. Ha!

Boundaries.

Or setting up dedicated time slots for asking questions so people don't continuously interrupt each other. Regular short meetings with some key stakeholders where they can ask questions or perform some other interrupt will regulate the information flows. If people know they will be helped, they'll wait. If they have no idea, they'll just keep on ripping up that tent you just put up.

"Shabba."