This is the first of what I hope a series of entries on practical advice on how to turn a software project around. Before I start on the subject let me tell you a story.
It is said that the great master of warfare Sun Tzu (author of the Art of War) was once trying to convince the Chinese emperor that he would be a great general to lead the emperor's troops. In order to prove that, Sun Tzu told the emperor that he could make the emperor's concubines behave like soldiers in a manner of minutes. To which the emperor laughed, the concubines did not even take the emperor's orders seriously. The emperor told Sun Tzu that if he could make his 100 concubines behave like soldiers, Sun Tzu will be the commanding general of the army.
Sun Tzu called out all the concubines, gave them spears, and told them to form in two columns of 50 concubines. At the front of each column, he placed the two favorite concubines of the emperor. He gave each of the two concubines the rank of lieutenant of the concubine army. Rank which the concubines whimsically accepted. Then he told the 100 concubines to face him while holding their spears in attack position. The concubines found this a lot of fun and followed his instructions. Then Sun Tzu grabbed a war drum and instructed the concubines to rotate 90 degrees to their right every time he beat the drum. At the first beat the concubines tried to rotate and started laughing when nobody got it right. Sun Tzu told the emperor that the first time troops make a mistake is usually the fault of the general. Therefore he would repeat the instructions and make the lieutenants responsible for the outcome. He explained the drill to the concubines again, and made a special mention to the lieutenants about their responsibility. So, Sun Tzu beat the drum again with the same results as before. The emperor and the court were truly enjoying the spectacle and laughing with the concubines.
This time Sun Tzu said that since he already repeated his order twice, that the fault was with the lieutenants. Therefore, he would cut the head of the most senior lieutenant off as an example to the others. The emperor jumped out of his seat and told Sun Tzu that he indeed appreciated Sun Tzu's wisdom and the first general opening will be Sun Tzu's. Sun Tzu told the emperor that training the concubines was his duty and that the emperor agreed to the task, therefore he should be given the liberty to finish the task. The emperor knew he had to let Sun Tzu finish. If he didn't, it will be known that the emperor went back on his word. Not a good reputation to have among generals. With the emperor looking by, Sun Tzu cut the head of the emperor's most beloved concubine. Then, he promoted the third most beloved concubine to lieutenant and told the second most beloved concubine that she was in charge. From then on the exercise went flawlessly. The emperor made Sun Tzu commanding general the army. Sun Tzu went on to win countless wars, many of them without ever fighting a battle.
The moral of the story is that if you are general, you should be ready to cut the head of careless lieutenants. If you are a lieutenant, you only get two chances.
I find this to be true with projects also. If you are managing a project, and the project gets in trouble, you will usually be given a chance in the form of time and resource to fix it. But, if you fail to fix it after that, well you read the story.
From the perspective of senior management a project is in trouble when:
a) The project is delayed and behind its planned schedule.
b) The project is costing more than planned.
c) The project is not delivering what the scope states it should.
If you want to become a software project turnaround specialist that walks in after some heads have rolled, or if you like your head attached to you shoulders you need to able to quantitatively identify to senior management why a), b), c) or a combination of the three is happening. Simple saying the schedule is too aggressive or I don't have enough resources will not do. You need numbers to back these claims. In my next post, I will explain how to use software duration estimation techniques to come up with a real time estimate for a project.
Project management includes various tasks that you and your team need to employ to achieve a goal. Proper project management systems are vital for any project. It is very difficult to manage the whole team without any commanding tools. To resolve this problem web based project management software has been introduced by many companies, as the goal is to increase the efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Posted by: Project Management Software | May 17, 2010 at 05:53 AM
Many of the companies in business today are still following the traditional ins-outs system on paper. And this can create some problems for employees. You don’t need to note down your in time or out time if you implement employee time tracking software. This is software that can help you in maintaining the records of projects and employees’ working hours in an effective manner.
Posted by: IT Support Sun Valley | May 29, 2010 at 05:14 AM
If you want to become a software project turnaround specialist that walks in after some heads have rolled, or if you like your head attached to you shoulders you need to able to quantitatively identify to senior management why a), b), c) or a combination of the three is happening. Simple saying the schedule is too aggressive or I don't have enough resources will not do.
Posted by: Project Management Software | June 04, 2010 at 05:47 AM
Your article very interesting, I have introduced a lot of friends look at this article, the content of the articles there will be a lot of attractive people to apspreciate, I have to thank you such an article. http://www.dunkjordan.com
Posted by: jordan shoes | June 05, 2010 at 01:19 AM
it will be known that the emperor went back on his word. Not a good reputation to have among generals. With the emperor looking by, Sun Tzu cut the head of the emperor's most beloved concubine.
Posted by: IT Support Santa Clarita | June 10, 2010 at 04:31 AM
How soon will you update your blog? I’m interested in reading some more information on this issue.
Posted by: Skippers Ticket Perth | August 21, 2010 at 10:29 AM
Yes i am also interested to get some updates from this one.
Posted by: incall agency toronto | August 30, 2010 at 11:16 AM
project management is useful in all enginerring jobs
Posted by: Project Management Software | October 10, 2010 at 10:41 AM
To achieve goal project management is essential software.
Posted by: toronto escorts | October 18, 2010 at 11:13 AM
It is my honor to read your aticle!Succent language,concise blog,while the content is full of connotation.I like your writing styles very much.Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: supra skate shoes | November 02, 2010 at 12:31 AM
Everyone make some mistakes some times,and when we found them,if we turned them into right,and then I think the life will be better as you,fighting more,I will like so.
Posted by: Jordan Sneakers | November 03, 2010 at 12:18 AM
Perhaps we have hurt, have pain, but life experience tells us that not long after the wound is healed, and still strong life
Posted by: Supra Skytop II | November 04, 2010 at 12:08 AM
i agree with your views from here.
Posted by: Nike Shox | April 20, 2011 at 08:30 PM
so good
Posted by: beats by dr dre headphones | October 24, 2011 at 12:50 AM