I remember one of my Professor’s during my MBA days; once he gave us a powerful explanation on ‘Option of Choice’. During that time, one of the exams was close by. Typically students were used to the habit of answering five questions out of seven asked in the exam. Unlike other Professor’s, this professor was a little different and would never give options in the examination. When asked, “Father“, will we have any options this time? He replied, you will have a few of them. You can answer all 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 or don’t answer anyone. This short narration taught me the value of options in life. When I started working I found this short story to be of immense value. At every step of our lives we are confronted with several options. We may choose a few or let all go. The freedom of choice helps us to define the road ahead in our life.
Quarterly reporting has forced the company to just look one quarter ahead. The revenue targets and reporting to investors force company executives to dilute their freedom to choose an appropriate option. In hard times this becomes even more complex and the company executive tends to pick up “everything” which comes in front of them. This brings about serious consequences. In my long career path, I have come across such situations several times. May be dropping them could have lead the company to prosperity and growth.
I would like to share a case which was a result of wrong selection. The case demonstrates that how pseudo teaming happens when everyone in the management team says a yes. As such affirmative response gives a positive image to the participant. The whole team joins to cover up the failure and takes pride on great cooperation. The debate is whether such event is an example of great teaming up and co-operation or should this be viewed as team’s inability to arrive at the right decision in the beginning; this would have been profitable for the company and brings focus towards the goal.
The client was building a product which was running behind the schedule. The client had an urgency to expedite the work and meet release deadline. They wanted a vendor to take up some portion of their work and also help them in completing their work. The high level requirement was shared. The initial study of the requirement and sizing exercise indicated that it was not possible to complete in the given time frame. The client believed that if the vendor puts 3 qualified resources onsite, the job can be done. It was more of a feeling and did not have any back up of any scientific methods.
Sales team was constantly under the pressure to meet budget numbers and acquire new clients. Although the initial discussion on sizing was leading to a no-bid situation, they wanted to work with other operation division which agreed to work with them and complete the work in the given time frame. The result was simple and pleasing for everyone. A SOW was signed against the scientific estimation, based on a set of people who said yes to the unrealistic propositions. There was a sense of winning a new order which lead to a mood for celebration.
An onsite Project Manager was identified. She had working background in testing where as a substantial portion of the work was development. Meeting tight schedule was the key for success. Two developers were hired from the market. The three persons constituted the onsite project team.
It was hoped that on the success of this phase the subsequent phase moves offshore. The company was expected to give a fixed price bid for offshore portion. The offshore Manager was asked to help the Onsite project team. On first scrutiny of team’s capability and skill gap it was found that the team was not capable of delivering the contracted outcomes. This note was sent before the team assumed work onsite. The Manager controlling the activities along with sales believed that this was the best option in a given situation. The team went ahead with the onsite work. The activities went on for around 6 weeks. The outcome of this can be easily guessed by anyone. The client terminated the project. It was a LOSE-LOSE situation.
This event isn’t unusual - in any company. We all commit mistakes. It is important to learn from mistakes and not repeat the same in future. The success and failure depends on exercising the option of choice. Denis Waitley says;”Forget about the consequences of failure. Failure is only a temporary change in direction to set you straight for your next success". Choice always comes in life. Going on a right path helps to create a sound work culture, brings focus in operating teams and drives better results. Let us argue that management starts rejecting such opportunities. It will bring focus in sales team. They will start looking for right opportunities. Teaming up is very essential in today’s environment for success. Probably the team started defining the “Teaming up” in an inappropriate sense.
This short case tells us a lot. Few of the lessons are:
1. Requirement assessment is the key to project’s success and profitability. Even under pressure, compromising on basics may not lead to success. I think the proper understanding of the situation is important. We should also work with stretch goal.
2. Taking every piece of work is putting your company in a troubled position. It prohibits bringing focus and growth. Saying ‘NO’ requires courage and conviction for success.
3. Technical feasibility of doing work and risk assessment should be treated as separate items. Balance between risk and appetite to take the level of risk is essential.
4. Teaming is the key to success. Teaming compromising functional boundaries leads to failures and provides a pseudo teaming feeling.
5. Role of devil advocate is very important. This brings a culture of discussion and looking at all aspects of the opportunity before a decision is arrived. The hierarchy or prevailing culture may be a deterrent in creating a proper climate for devil advocate’s role. The leadership should provide appropriate climate for devil advocate. Their contribution in helping to take a sound decision cannot be undermined.Whether the projects are small sized or large sized, every project must bring about appreciation, intelligence and a good business sense. To achieve our goals we should have a well planned Project Selection Process.
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