… well, tool or vehicle on some occasions…
Over 10 years ago, when I was taking my flying lessons, the instructor taught me that it’s the pilot who has the control over the plan, never the other way around. It’s a paramount lesson applicable to the maneuverability of the plane, the weather, and the current traffic. However, it can also be applied to numerous fields, and project management is one of them.
Whether you are working in an Agile context or not, using Scrum or Kanban, Post-it® notes or computerized solutions, let’s talk about your everyday tools!
Does this ring a bell?
“Hello everyone! Thank you for attending this meeting. As you already know, with the reorganization, once again, we have to review the project management and tracking software applications we are using. We also have to rent a new office in order to group together all team members.”
“If I may, we’ve already searched for the best solution, and it seems that Super Agile Software 2015 is what we need. It is possible to buy functions that can be customized to our specific needs. And, I must admit, I really like their charts!”
“OK, but it will cost a fortune! Honestly, all these applications are useless… We’ve been using office automation software for 20 years. Let’s share and edit our documents on our server. I like the images contained in their library.”
“What about open source solutions! We simply need to deploy one solution on the cloud and it’s settled. I know, it requires a little bit of maintenance once in a while, but it’s reasonable.”
“What will we do when it is no longer maintained? Or when functional limitations are reached? We would then have to backtrack? No way!”
“Then, let’s use Super Agile Software 2015. It will also allow us to keep an eye on the hours actually worked by the developers, since they are constantly in the red.”
“Regarding the new office, are we going to rent next door? These offices are the cheapest in the region. €50 000 per month everything included.”
“Ouch!”
“Really!?!”
(Generally, the conversation stops here and decisions are made.)
“Uh! I have a suggestion.”
“Go ahead; we’ve got nothing to lose!”
“What if we created a virtual office available online? Our team is small enough so that all members can create their own free account and benefit from basic services, which are more than enough. Furthermore, we could work from home and use teleconferencing. Our partners from Pyxis Suisse experienced it; it really worked for them. We could give it a try with our team and make adjustments according to the results obtained…”
“Thanks, Gérard; you deserve a raise!”
A multitude of tools for better… and for worse!
If you never searched for project management tools, whether traditional or Agile, and those intended for collaborative remote work, well, take a minute to do it. You’ll soon be overwhelmed!
Despite some leaders known as the panacea in the field and exorbitant rates, it is not easy to find the right tool. Too often, making the choice is long and laborious. Plus, once it’s made, the solution does not suit the needs of those who will be using it.
Although recommendations come from a good intention, it is important to remember this:
- End users must take part in the decision.
- End users must be free to (or not to) appropriate the tool in order for them not to be “enslaved” by it.
- The tool must provide users with benefits and not compromise their potential.
I believe that if any of these three items are not respected, the need for this tool must be questioned. It would mean that the need for it is not justified or hard to justify. If the tool is already in use, we must question ourselves on its usefulness, because it does not simplify things.
Back to the basics
The most fervent defenders of Agility amongst you will understand what I’m getting at… If we go through the Agile Manifesto once again, it is indicated that to develop software more efficiently, it is paramount to value individuals and interactions before considering processes and tools.
Most of the time, resolving a problem or clearing an obstacle brings its share of complexity. Collaboration lies on communication, and this factor is a primary component of a project’s complexity. The collaborative tools you are using are resulting from a real problem or their use has been imposed? If the problem actually exists, reword it: have you tried or do you have to try another approach to resolve it?
It’s not necessarily too late to come back to the (landing) track! If you address the real reason for this supposed need, you will target what really brings value to your team, contributors, and clients.
To do so, nothing like collective reflections and discussions with everyone in the same room and without intermediaries!
What about you? Are you controlled by the tools you are using?
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