Collaborate
August 16th, 2004 by HalI had the opportunity today to observe a group of 20 superintendents and foremen plan the next six weeks of their project. They were working out how they would build the project. This contrasts with the way the project had been planned up to that point. Like most projects, a few smart experienced people work out a sequence of activities that others are to follow. This project, like many others, fell behind schedule and drifted over budget. Also, like many projects, the only thing to do was to ask the project team members what needed to be done.
Why do we think the head is smarter than the body? Why do we wait 'til a project is in trouble before asking the project performers what it is we should be doing?
Today's session was impressive. The superintendents and foremen worked their way through the schedule correcting sequences while identifying the work that can be done and culling that work that can't be done. After 2½ hours these people had a plan that they were committed to. And, unlike having "experts" plan the work, these superintendents and foremen got practice thinking through how they will build. That practice will be invaluable when the future turns out to be different from their expectations.
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