top 5 mistakes
#2: You painted the wall from bottom to top
Wednesday, March 25th, 2009 | EIM, Project Direction, Top 'n' Lists, Top 5 Mistakes Collecting SPM / EIM Project Requirements, large projects, requirements | No Comments
#2 of 5: Top 5 Mistakes Collecting SPM / EIM Project Requirements
It is possible to collect requirements out of order, and it often happens. Just like painting a wall, there is some strategy involved. When you paint, you typically want to start at the top and work your way down. The reason is simple, drips. Even the most experienced painters aren’t going to be able to prevent all drips, streams and splatters. As you coat the wall you inevitably get streams of paint running down via gravity. If you are painting from top to bottom, it’s no big deal. You just paint over and smooth out the drips as you work your way down. But if you are painting from bottom to top, you have a problem. In order to smooth out the drips you have to go back and re-brush some areas that have already been covered. This amounts to a lot of wasted time and effort.
The Problem
When things get done out of order, it’s usually for good reason. Human nature is to do what you can, as soon as you can, with the least amount of effort. When you painted your first wall you probably started at eye level. You don’t have to bend over and you don’t have to climb a ladder. When collecting requirements, it’s typical to start with the easiest and most readily available information. This wouldn’t be so bad if everything was fully documented and available from Day One. However, in most case this just means you schedule whoever is available and forthcoming. Beggars can’t be choosers when it comes to getting client subject matter expert (SME) time.
› Continue reading
Similar Posts:
- #5: You put lipstick on a pig - JasonKearns
- #3: You asked the tourist for directions - JasonKearns
#1: You took the buffalo for a walk
Monday, March 23rd, 2009 | EIM, SPM, Top 'n' Lists, Top 5 Mistakes Collecting SPM / EIM Project Requirements, large projects, requirements | 2 Comments
#1 of 5: Top 5 Mistakes Collecting SPM / EIM Project Requirements
You need to be in control and organized. And if you’ve ever tried to walk a buffalo, you can attest to the fact that you are not in control of that situation. In this metaphor, the buffalo is a requirements meeting without an agenda. They can definitely get away from you and cause a lot of damage along the way.
The Problem
Implementations have a natural order of events.
• Scoping/Budgeting
• Resource Selection/Planning
• Project Start
• Requirements
• Design
• Etc…
› Continue reading
Similar Posts:
- #2: You painted the wall from bottom to top - JasonKearns
- #3: You asked the tourist for directions - JasonKearns