 Reforming Project Management |
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Thursday, January 22, 2004
David Schmaltz Was a Hit!
The Project Leader Studio™ Teleconference Series with Authors launched today. Was this ever a project! And I was on the learning team! I've never done a public event like this before, but I loved it! (I think I'm using too many exclamation points!) I have to say that David Schmaltz was great. We prepared him with questions for the call, but he free-wheeled throughout the conversation. He's a great speaker and very thoughtful in his responses. On top of that, he decided to share his notes for the call -- actually essays -- with my readers. Have a look at the David Schmaltz Interview. This is a keeper. If you are interested in a continuing discussion of the topic, then join David's Yahoo! Group Mastering Project Work. It's real fun! By the way, subscribers to the series also got a summary of his book. Readers are raving about it. Don't miss the next interview and book summary. Sign-up now. We've got five more authors as provocative as David. Next up is Bob DeKoch, co-author of Embracing Uncertainty: The Essence of Leadership. This is sure to be as controversial as David's blind men. You don't want to miss it. If you are not on the announcement list, then sign-up today by visiting The Project Leader Studio™ Teleconference Series with Authors. Here's one last thought on the teleconference offered during the session by one of the participants. He was commenting on an organization's desire for consistency in project results. We need to have inconsistency in our process to achieve consistency in project results. Try to get that one by your PMO! Preventing Construction Fatalities -- Kudos to OSHA
eTools are "stand-alone," interactive, Web-based training tools that provide guidance information for the development of a comprehensive safety and health program. Therefore, they include elements that go beyond specific OSHA mandates, such as recommendations for good industry practice. Each section follows the same outline:
The writing is clear, and actionable.
The site also includes a comprehensive glossary of construction safety terms written in a way that educates along with links to all the relevant OSHA and ANSI standards. Great job! Wednesday, January 21, 2004
Out from Under...Barely
This week is approaching a climax on Thursday at 1:00 PM EST when Greg Howell and I interview our new friend David Schmaltz, author of The Blind Men and the Elephant, Mastering Project Work. I thought I was really catching on after reading the book for the third time. Then I received the book summary David prepared. Seems I missed one thing after another. I wrote previously about my favorite line in the book (p. 79), There can be no such thing as a project. We'll put David on the spot asking him to elaborate. We've queued up 10 more questions leaving room for an equal number from our audience. You're sure to hear more from me on our conversation with David and the up-coming sessions with other authors. Have a look at Compass, the True North pgs, Inc. newsletter. If you want to subscribe, then send David an email saying why you want to subscribe. That's right, he really wants to know! I've just about caught up. I'm working out the last details on a coaching program for consultants to the AE community. I'm really looking forward to a weekend of skiing! Monday, January 19, 2004
Overload and Overwhelm
Projects invariably get to a point where there is not enough time in the day to do what it takes to stay on schedule. But that doesn't keep us from trying. The result? Projects get behind and people fall into overwhelm. So how did this come up? I'm approaching the point of overwhelm. I am faced with more to do than I have time to do it -- overload. While there is much that I have yet to promise, I want to do all of it. And so do the people who depend on me. I recognized my situation earlier today. It just wouldn't be healthy, nor would the results be up to my standards, if I continue in the current mode. So, I'm in the process of renegotiating some commitments. That will make room for me to do more of what I have both a passion for doing and will use my talents. I expect the result will be good for all parties. Try this on your project. Don't let yourself get as close as I was to overwhelm. Moods are contagious. One person in a bad mood will lead to another and another. Get into the habit of managing your promises. The mistake I made was not committing my time (capacity) to my promises. There always appears to be plenty of time to do what I promise to do when I just add the promise to my to do list. Don't make that mistake. Estimate the time required and make an appointment with yourself to get the work done. It's the only way I know to avoid overload and the danger of overwhelm. Visit the Archives for more postings |
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One of the more grabbing features of the site is the Safety Bulletins. In each section, OSHA presents a case where a worker is doing what they are expected to do, yet they die. The cases are written in a way to educate on what could be done to avoid danger.