by Skip Colfax
Sometimes people ask me, “Why do we even have project plans in the EDGE System? Why not just list all of the tasks as “Actions” and complete them one-by-one?” These are good, logical questions, and, upon first look, one might think that just listing actions, without a project plan, would save time. But, in reality, without a project plan, just the opposite happens. We end up spending more time figuring out why we’re doing the action, and where this action is supposed to lead us… We can get lost and having to think about it all over again is a time waster.
I’ve learned that my project plans are my task management system. Not only does the Project Plan hold all of the tasks needed to complete the project, but it includes an Outcome Statement, which describes my goal and keeps me motivated to complete all of the actions. The important thing is that all of that information is in one place, so I can watch as the project actions are ticked off one at a time. That’s motivational, and drives me forward.
By categorizing my project plans as “Projects”, I have an easy view from my task list of all of the projects I’ve got on my plate. I can easily answer questions about the status of each project, and at the click of a button, I can easily show my boss all of the stuff I’m working on. Then, we can reprioritize, if necessary, to get additional, urgent actions or projects done, too.
I really like the projects category a lot. I love it when I’ve completed all of the actions in a project. There are few things in my work life that give me as much satisfaction as checking off a project as complete. But the big kick for me is by acknowledging my hard work completing the project, I find myself energized and pumped up for whatever’s next. I love that feeling!
Showing posts with label plan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label plan. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
What seems to be the problem?
by Angela Ware
Like many professionals in this age of cost efficiency and fiscal management, I have the privilege of working from home. This is more often than not a perfect arrangement for me. However, there are times when my attempts at maintaining work-life balance are met with a rub.
Case in point: I recently had guests staying at my home during the week. As a good host, I got up every morning and prepared breakfast for everyone. Then at 8:00 am I would go into my office and begin my work day, stop around 10am to visit with my guests for a few minutes, and head back to work. I would disengage, for lunch with my guests and take an afternoon guest break.
After a couple of days, I noticed that my guests were showing less and less appreciation for my attempts at “balance”. Therefore, I was compelled to ask the question, “What seems to be the problem?”
Their answer, “You don’t seem to want us around.” Wow! I didn’t see that coming…
Like many of us I had developed an effective plan and routine for my day. But I failed to communicate my plan to those who were in the wake of my decision, leading to a misunderstanding and potentially damaging a relationship.
If you have ever had your intentions and someone’s perception of your actions (personal or professional) fall out of alignment, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
So what lesson did I learn (if not relearn) from this experience?
It is not the development of a plan, but the effective communication of a plan that will determine its ultimate success. Communicate. Communicate. Communicate.
Like many professionals in this age of cost efficiency and fiscal management, I have the privilege of working from home. This is more often than not a perfect arrangement for me. However, there are times when my attempts at maintaining work-life balance are met with a rub.
Case in point: I recently had guests staying at my home during the week. As a good host, I got up every morning and prepared breakfast for everyone. Then at 8:00 am I would go into my office and begin my work day, stop around 10am to visit with my guests for a few minutes, and head back to work. I would disengage, for lunch with my guests and take an afternoon guest break.
After a couple of days, I noticed that my guests were showing less and less appreciation for my attempts at “balance”. Therefore, I was compelled to ask the question, “What seems to be the problem?”
Their answer, “You don’t seem to want us around.” Wow! I didn’t see that coming…
Like many of us I had developed an effective plan and routine for my day. But I failed to communicate my plan to those who were in the wake of my decision, leading to a misunderstanding and potentially damaging a relationship.
If you have ever had your intentions and someone’s perception of your actions (personal or professional) fall out of alignment, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
So what lesson did I learn (if not relearn) from this experience?
It is not the development of a plan, but the effective communication of a plan that will determine its ultimate success. Communicate. Communicate. Communicate.
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