I have had much more success with structure and process than without. People would rather make it up as they go or fly by the seat of their pants. Why is that? Saving Changes...
People don't hate process (other than true anarchists). They hate process and structure which is imposed on them and with which they've had little to no involvement in its creation.
Processes limit the amount of variability in how we do our work, so people often blame processes for limiting their opportunities for creativity and efficiency. Although processes may be over-prescriptive and bureaucratic, the objective of processes is to ensure that the work performed meets the expectations of the internal and external customers.
In my career working with process architecture and management, few people within organizations see, or want to see how their work affects many downstream customers. They would rather focus on their part alone. They may not know or care how their work can make the work of others easier or harder and are happy passing on work that meets their own expectations but not their customers'.
By not thinking how their own work affects the work of others, they get to use the process as a scapegoat. "If we didn't have to follow any processes and standards, I would be much more effective." They essentially sub-optimize their perspective of organizational efficiency to their own job alone, and not to the larger team. Saving Changes...
Hi Joshua,
Maybe the answer is in your question. People don't want fixed processes because if process becomes an obstacle to efficiency or innovation then they will want to change it. "Make it up as they go along" probably just means that people who care about results prefer an empirical, adaptive approach over a dogmatic rule-bound one. Saving Changes...
Greg GithensAuthor, "How to Think Strategically." Executive & Leadership Coach| Catalyst & Cadre LLCLakewood Ranch, Fl, United States
Process is a much overused word and is applied to situations where it simply gets in the way.
There are also practices and arts which are also legitimate ways of getting work done.
Hopefully, as professionals become more nuanced in their application, we will see were it is legitimate and illegitimate to use process or practices or arts.
I discuss these distinctions as they apply to the crafting of strategy on pages 88-89 in my book, How to Think Strategically. Saving Changes...
Project Team adapts more softly to processes if they are included in their creation, otherwise people tend to react in a negative manner at rigid norms imposed on them. Saving Changes...
George FreemanThought Leader | Author | Architect| Florida, United States
Hi Joshua,
I think @Kiron hit the emotional truth of the matter, but I have the following to offer in jest:
Structure and Process equate to Accountability
-- Accountability equates to Discipline and Responsibility
---- Discipline and Responsibility equate to More Work!
Although made up on the fly, maybe there is some truth to it.
George Saving Changes...
Khai Ng.IT PMO | IT Project Manager| TTGROUPHanoi, Viet Nam
People hate process because many corporate processes were created by inexperienced people or by outside people (or newcomers) who did not fully understand the company working culture. Many processes were created as a result of the restructuring process and are not maintained properly. Saving Changes...
Everyone wants to decide his own life even in working place. However, they may need to follow the processes after they get paid. In order to let them overcome it and be as one with the company, the ways to express their ideas are critical nowadays. Saving Changes...
Marcus UdokangProject Manager| Aivaz ConsultingCalgary, Alberta, Canada
Structure and process involves planning. Projects with no planning can be a problem. Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
So, Josua, you seem to appreciate process but you see that others hate processes. I agree with Keith in particular.
Even people who complain about being forced to follow process also complain if others do not follow process and damage their interest.
I think the cultural element of complaining, of looking for guilt in others, in individualism before common good are key elements for your observation.
And yes, sometime processes are just not good, not maintained well, too detailed. Many examples in junior PMOs. You have to get along with this. Saving Changes...
