Broken Windows

If you have not heard or recently read the Broken Window theory, I would highly recommend it. Basically, you should not complain about the base behavior you are seeing if it's the behavior that you have communicated, through your own behavior. What you should do is understand what you are witnessing and address the root cause. For example, if you accept misspellings in requirements, don't be surprised if your web site is full of misspelled words (one of my major flaws)........always set the quality standards high, the productivity and cost effectiveness will out weigh the upfront effort put in.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broken_windows_theory

Act as if there is some value to the project...

To take from a much higher meaning message: we need to act as if there is some value to the project and find out that it doesn't than to act as if it doesn't have value and then later find out that it does. Sometimes (to often), project managers are not privy to all the information during the project selection/prioritization process takes place...we need to assume that those that are, are making the correct decisions and based on that, pursue the successful completion of the project as we would another project that we see as having clear value. Easy to say, but often difficult to stay motivated. The focus, in these situations, should be on performing out roles as best as possible, and trusting others...and learning, or trying to learn, there is a lot to learn in becoming a team player.

Back to the Bascis

When in doubt, go back to the basics. There have been no major improvements in Project Management since the building of the pyramids....plan, execute and track – fancier charts, nifty tools, amazingly obscure buzz words, but the basics have not changed for thousands of years. So, why do projects fail – the same reasons they always have and always will – not understanding or not following the basics. Focus to much on the tracking tools, assume people understand what they're suppose to do, close your eyes to what reality is and don't communicate effectively to Sr. Management and you're sure to follow the same path thousands of other project managers have followed – failure. Repeat after me:

• Plan
• Execute
• Track
• COMMUNICATE
• THINK

Drop and give me 50 pushups now...........