Ryan HaversBusiness Owner| Ears With EyesBeacon, Ny, United States
Which methodology would you choose when team calendars are full, which means very little time for planning. Would Agile work best here? This is coming from a guy who manages a 24/7 operation as well as projects.
Rita FergusonPMP Project Manager ConsultantMilford, Oh, United States
As one of my first managers told me early in my career, "You either find time to do it right or you'll have to find the time to do it over."
Some planning is needed regardless of the PM technique you use. Even with Agile, you have to gather all the requirements even if you don't know what all the conditions will be several months down the line. If you cannot spend the minimum amount of time planning to ensure a successful project, reconsider if this is the right time to start a new project. Saving Changes...
Well you have closed the issue by saying there is no time. Make time, add a resource, use management reserves, get a change request approved...there are a number of ways to find time when there is no time. Saving Changes...
Ryan HaversBusiness Owner| Ears With EyesBeacon, Ny, United States
Well, to be honest, I am doing the planning in my own time. I was told that there is no time for a methodology, so "throw the book out". Meaning, that in some stakeholder's minds, we don't have time for long detailed meetings (this particular requirements meeting was only one hour long) and paperwork (project charter, etc). I'm building a project plan because I can't guarantee success without it. I think my issue was that I showed people how the sausage was made and it was overwhelming. At the same time, I'm told that I can't miss any details. There is an art to knowing who your audience is and what information they need. I miscalculated that.
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2 replies by Eric Simms and Ryan Havers
Dec 07, 2017 9:29 PM
Eric Simms
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I also made the mistake of showing stakeholders how the sausage is made. I thought providing them with intricate details would reassure them, but I think it frightened them and they reacted much as your stakeholders did. Now I just show stakeholders high-level information summaries, and they're thrilled.
In your opinion, why are the team calendars full? Are there really that many projects occurring in the organization? Or are there inefficiencies you could perhaps improve upon and thus gain yourself the time you need?
Dec 08, 2017 4:54 PM
Ryan Havers
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Excellent point! Thank you. Many projects happening and no official PMs or methodology. I'm trying to sell them on us all adhering to a method.
Saving Changes...
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
^ Exactly. They simply don't want to hear 'all about it'. They just need it done. I don't need to know how my car works. Just need it to start in the morning so I can get to work. It sounds like you know what is needed and better understand your audience, however, at some point, a decision is required to prioritize the efforts of the staff. To make that point, some type of document will be need; report, slides, something, and that information will come from your due diligence to document and track as needed.
The path to success does not have to go through long, unnecessary meetings. So keep them short, like 15-minute standups. Deliver value incrementally. Be nimble and adapt to your surroundings.
Deepesh RammoorthyICT Project Manager ( PMP®AgilePM®Certified ScrumMaster® (CSM®))| Australian Red Cross Blood ServiceTarneit, Vic, Australia
Fundamental flaw . Trying to manage a 24/7 Operation with Projects . Step on two boats and it's a recipe for disaster.
In my personal experience Project vs Operations require different mindsets and Different focus . The first favor you can do to yourself is to point it out to the management that you need to focus your energy in one of two things - either manage the project well or manage the Operations well .
If You have the backing from your manager, you can perhaps go ahead and find a project manager who can focus 100% on the job and persist until they gets the stakeholders' buy in
and their time. No short cuts here ! You need to deliver the documentation and the team needs to produce them.
You need to negotiate for the team's time from the functional managers.
Questions to be asked
PM- I need a team to be on this project for x hours per week? Is there anything else they are working on which stops me from engaging them?
Functional Manager :- yes i'm afraid Work x takes priority and they will not be available for the next three months
PM:- Dear Sponsor . This is the situation would you be okay if hire some people to deliver the project for 6 months . It will charge you x more and if you are happy i can log a change request
No rocket science. You don't change the way you deliver projects. You just clear the roadblocks Saving Changes...
Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
Dec 07, 2017 7:32 PM
Replying to Ryan Havers
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Well, to be honest, I am doing the planning in my own time. I was told that there is no time for a methodology, so "throw the book out". Meaning, that in some stakeholder's minds, we don't have time for long detailed meetings (this particular requirements meeting was only one hour long) and paperwork (project charter, etc). I'm building a project plan because I can't guarantee success without it. I think my issue was that I showed people how the sausage was made and it was overwhelming. At the same time, I'm told that I can't miss any details. There is an art to knowing who your audience is and what information they need. I miscalculated that.
I also made the mistake of showing stakeholders how the sausage is made. I thought providing them with intricate details would reassure them, but I think it frightened them and they reacted much as your stakeholders did. Now I just show stakeholders high-level information summaries, and they're thrilled.
In your opinion, why are the team calendars full? Are there really that many projects occurring in the organization? Or are there inefficiencies you could perhaps improve upon and thus gain yourself the time you need?
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1 reply by Anish Abraham
Dec 07, 2017 10:06 PM
Anish Abraham
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You are absolutely right, Eric. I concur with you on this. We just have to show high level data or information to stakeholders otherwise things can backfire, anyway this is based on my experience working with key stakeholders.
Saving Changes...
Anish AbrahamPrivacy Program Manager| University of WashingtonAuburn, Wa, United States
Dec 07, 2017 9:29 PM
Replying to Eric Simms
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I also made the mistake of showing stakeholders how the sausage is made. I thought providing them with intricate details would reassure them, but I think it frightened them and they reacted much as your stakeholders did. Now I just show stakeholders high-level information summaries, and they're thrilled.
In your opinion, why are the team calendars full? Are there really that many projects occurring in the organization? Or are there inefficiencies you could perhaps improve upon and thus gain yourself the time you need?
You are absolutely right, Eric. I concur with you on this. We just have to show high level data or information to stakeholders otherwise things can backfire, anyway this is based on my experience working with key stakeholders. Saving Changes...
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
I fully agree with Eric ... There is a saying: Do it once, do it right and once is enough. Saving Changes...
Anonymous
Since you are willing to work on personal time - what you need is to take the time and develop a very simplistic approach to manage projects; I am assuming your projects are small and simple.
Send me a personal message (on my email) and I will share something with you Saving Changes...
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