Extreme Project Managment

Xtreme Management of Projects -- another 12-step program?

Jack RingInnovation Management

jring@amug.org

Xtreme Project Management SeminarProvince of Manitoba, CA

March 20, 2000

1. The Winner is the one

who FINISHES first.

2. Get clear on what kind of project you must manage

ConstructionExpeditionExploratory

Outcome Path Resources Manage

Project: a means of applying knowledge and enthusiasm

to ideas and materials in a way that creates useful outputs.

idealized generated as needed learning

described fixed provided attendancespecified adapted prepared risk

•A Goal

•Action Triggers

•Energy

•Competency

•Statusing

•Feedback, G-S

GS System

OUTPUTS

Response

Status Reports

Learning

Goal AttainmentSensitivity to Disturbance

Stability Limits

Achievement Measures

CultureBusiness ClimateCompeting Goals

Context

INPUTS

Request

Resources

Time

Disturbances

3. Establish a Goal-seeking System

4. Transform Project Energy

We all FEAR being:• insignificant• irrelevant• unlovable

Enthusiasm!

Quality

Improvement

Meaning

5. Caution -- Great Project, Wrong Result.

A system must be built • not for the situation that exists • but for the situation that the system will

cause • when it is eventually activated.

6. Mission System <> Project System

The ideal project is instantaneous and costs zero dollars.Your customers want the output -- the mission system.

The System Manager is concerned about the deliverables.The Project Manager is concerned about the people,process, schedules, budgets and vigilance that it takes tobuild whatever the SM wants to build.

Xtreme projects need both a PM and an SM-- working in a dyadic manner.

7. How much are you willing to lose?

8. First, write the Acceptance Spec.

machine 320Macro Assem 213C 128FORTRAN 77 105COBOL 91ADA 71QTurboBasic 64APL 32O-O 29Icon O-O 4

Source: IFPUG as reported in Datamation, 11/1/92, pg 85.

9. Know Objects and Six Sigma.

If Maturitylevel is:

ExpectedRelative Cost is:(approximately)

Six Sigma 1X*CMM V 5X*CMM IV 12X*CMM III 31X*CMM II 140X*CMM I 480X*

*Warning: Due to non-linear factors this example may not beaccurate for your organization. A calculation specific to yourorganization can be produced.

Source: Quantitative Software Management.

25%

50%

75%

100%

5 10 15 20

Number of Workgroup Members

10. It's the PEOPLEpercent

achievement adapted from Friends In High Places,

Livingston, W. L., FES Ltd. Publishing, Stuart, FL

Workgroup size limit

Interpersonal style isdominant factor with

5X leverage oneffectiveness

Encouraging, Admonishing

Anxious,Insincere

Critical,Destructive

Unexplored

Territory

11. Knowledge, Courage, ---and Grace

Billy Mills and Crazy Horse

I Can Win!

I Can Win!

I Can Win!