Tips, hints, links, and helpful information related to the discipline of Project Management.
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Friday, August 14, 2009
Dysfunction Junction
I have worked in, around and for IT organizations for most of my career, and it still amazes me how poorly these groups communicate. Why do IT departments believe they aren’t accountable? Why won’t they communicate and form real partnerships (not pretend relationships). Why doesn’t IT management realize that in regards to IT tools and services many times perception is reality? Look at just about any survey, most IT tools and services are rated poorly by those that pay for them. Why? My answer is poor project management practices delivered through a dysfunctional organization.
What Does Dysfunction Look Like?
When you go to meetings, pretend to listen then walk away and criticize those you just met with, that is dysfunction
When you pretend to trust others, but look for ways to poke holes in their beliefs, that is dysfunction
When you reward mediocrity…dysfunction
When you create something that has questionable value yet hold it up as something awesome….hyper-dysfunction
When you support and encourage weak "leaders" that cause upheaval and mayhem …you have dysfunction
When enterprise standards and processes are ignored…you guessed it…dysfunction
When commitments are made than ignored…yep…more dysfunction
When the people in ivory towers refuse to sit down with the commoners... dysfunction
When you reward your team for winning the silent “us vs. them” war… dysfunction is the winner (guess who is the loser)
When you allow a rogue manager to steamroll others inside and outside your department…you have dysfunction
When you treat your staff like mushrooms (in the dark)…you again have dysfunction
In closing…be real, be relevant, be a team player, and most of all be trustworthy. Nobody respects a talking head. You have to be visible, engaged and respected to be effective and relevant.
Remember, if you aren't visibile you aren't relevant and if you aren't relevant you aren't needed.
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