Program management

Listen to what you hear! This is worthy of consideration.

I was recently presenting my wares when a quick comment “Have you considered Program Management (or something to that effect) caught me unawares. I side stepped but the comment has resonated in the usually anechoic chamber that is my brain space ;-)

I read the above reference (to Program management) and then thought about my presentation. Hmmm, she was right! Right in that the pitch was at that level. Sadly I think it was not the pitch they were looking for :-( Damn, there are a lot of people around me these days who are often right. Of course if you do not listen to others then you are doomed to repeat the same mistakes, or worse still, learn nothing.

I am often pointing out that grand ideas are not always received in the way one expects. WELL, without ‘listening to what you hear’ one runs the risk of doing similar.

As kids we are a sponge to the new information and ideas around us. As we learn to make up our own minds we think we know everything (bad phase). As we mature we reflect. But reflection solely on that which is within, is likely to reveal only half truths, if any truth at all.

Philosophy over and done with, the practical point seems to be one often missed by many project staffers, whether old style (big plan) or new wave (agile and lean) practitioners. Think about what is said by others, get them to re-iterate, find out what that input really is then see if you can act upon it. Might make your project either stay on track or even get somewhere ;-)

We need a ‘Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance’ for the Project and Program management space!