Barry Flicker: Slashing project time by 10% or more (70 Mins)

http://itc.conversationsnetwork.org/shows/detail1721.html
Anyone ever worked on a team that didn't work, this talk will some shine light on what could have happened (especially in IT).

Here are the points of the talk, the following doesn't even cover half of it:
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The need to plan:
When Living in the bleeding edge in time for projects; It's like 'Building the plane, while it’s in the air'. What happens if the landing gear was missing -> it ends up in project failure

The need to be clear:
A way to minimize/clear up misunderstands & bad assumptions. It's to setup a common language & make sure in every meeting everyone understands:
1. Goals
2. Role/Responsibility
3. Process
4. Outcome
Have a key project statement to communicate with stakeholders or anyone new to the project; it keeps the aim clear.
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Project failures: Unrealistic deadline

• Bad Expectation: Upper Management
• Inadequate Resources: different demands & needs used by other departments
• Scoop Creep: Sliding in addition items
• All explanation = It’s not us, it’s them (The idiots out there)

Unfortunately 'the idiots out there' makes us helpless

If we consider the opposite, there is something in how we are behaving that is affecting the situation.
But now we can help the situation & it's no big deal to change our behavior to improve the condition.
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What is Project management?
(Project management is not using MS Project, not even close)

• Core: The process to make & keep clear commitments
• Foundation: Building on relation of Mutual trust & respect
• Tools: Use to identify & track commitments

The project management team needs:
1. Tool-set: It magnifies what you do
2. Skill-set: To communicate, lead, listen & negotiate effectively
3. Mind-set: Change people mind in thinking planning is not “a waste of time”

If no skill-set or mind-set, we are Idiot with powerful tools -> It only make us dangerous, not better.
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Advises from Q & A:

• Time Estimations: They are best guess only, should not set in stone; especially not early in the game.
• Missing the Small Stuff: Use a ground-rules check list to make sure the little things are missed. Example: Hardware-software delay of 2 weeks, due to board not shipped from hardware team to software team
• Brain-dead Behaviors: When you see someone acting in a brain-dead way, this means that you are seeing the whole picture, while others are not; Ask yourself what's the pay-off? What's the missing information?
• Resistance to Accountability: People keep getting punish for taking accountability, that's fear based. Instead bring to together the team & talk about how to solve the problems; then accountability will arrive to take on the action.

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Some Statistics:

• 51% of ERP implementation are unsuccessful
• 75%+ IT project were delayed 30% more
• 52% cost run over 189% of the estimated cost

In Summary: Project costs much more & take much longer than necessary due to poor communication & uncheck assumption. (Example: Post-it Project Game)

Get it done guy: Just flip a coin (6min)

Podcast Page Link: http://getitdone.quickanddirtytips.com/gid-decisions.aspx

If it cost it more to research & make the decision, then the impact of the decision -> Flip a coin or just do it
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Decisions cost money:
- E.g.: Programmer requester for a $600 lazer printer; 4 Exec took 3 1hr meeting to decide Not to buy the printer. (They could of use the money to buy the printer; it’s easier to Flip a coin or just pay it)

Indirect Cost:
- Cost of delay while the decision being made
- Cost of the distraction having to make the decision
- Cost to Gathering information
- Over-Expending issue (Example: New washer and then the sells ask for dryer)

Non-monetary cost/benefits:
- E.g.: Relationships, not arguing & say yes dear (Instead of arguing & fighting to a yes)
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Try these steps for decision making:
1. Review the major about things to buy, places to go & people to see
2. Notice how much work is needed to make each decision
3. Ask yourself how important for each decision
4. Then for the decision that is not worth the time for deciding
5. Just flip a coin

It will free up your mind & move things forward -> it would use less time make the decision or debating.

By passing the decision:
Make the decision to spend the money, instead of spending money/time to not make them.