More good words from Seth’s Blog:
The art of project management includes the dance
between velocity and possibility.
If you’re even an occasional occupant of Proposal Land, first read Seth’s post. Then, in the spaces between proposals, explore possibilities for doing them better, even if no one asked you to. Some of those possibilities are on this website; some are in my manual; some will be your own bright ideas. Document proven ideas in your standard methodology, achieving the velocity of which Seth speaks.
If you’re an executive or senior manager with Proposal Land oversight responsibilities, first read Seth’s post. Make spaces between proposals for proposal workers to explore possibilities for doing better proposals in the spaces between them, and to document proven ideas in your company’s standard methodology. Recognize both the effort and the result.
I offer this not as criticism, but as a different perspective — you’re making an assumption, that there will be another time, another opportunity.
This morning, for the Good Friday service, I used a candelabra I had made years ago, a spiral of wood with candles up the spirals — something like a curved menorah. We had used it 20 years ago, with mixed success, to extinguish candles as we read the “seven last words of Jesus.” So by the time we used it again today, I had forgotten a few crucial details. Like making sure the candles were long enough that they didn’t burn down and set the wood on fire.
I know that now. I can make improvements for the next time. If there’s a next time. Given the changes in the congregation, there may not be.
Jim T – Yes, Seth’s initial post was about projects we perform more than once — repetitively, if not routinely — within what we might consider a normal planning horizon. It’s harder, I think, to improve a very occasional activity – we don’t get much feedback and its infrequency can mean that we forget what we’ve learned by the time the next time rolls around. Good luck with your next time, whenever it is.