I wondered whether I should call this entry. "We value process over people."
I have a new manager on my current project. We spent the last few weeks before he joined validating a model of the business with all the business users. The business users are all comfortable with the model. The model consists of a single diagram with about twenty functions on it, a document containing a one or two line description for each function, an object model showing objects only and a CRUD matrix. This had taken very little time to prepare. This is for a programme of work that will cost north of $20million.
My new manager thinks there is too much detail and wants a summary diagram and CRUD. The conversation went along the lines...
Me: "Who is this for. If we show it to the users they will be annoyed that we have taken a step back?"
Manager: "Well there are a group of people who will need this for their understanding."
Me: "Who are they?"
Manager: "Me and my fellow architects"
Me: "So we agree that it is for you, and for your understanding?"
Manager: "Er, yes. We need to show that we are following a rigorous process. We can use your work when we get to the individual projects."
Me (Thinking to myself): Sounds like Muda to me but if the client (my manager) wants it, I might as well get it done and out of the way as soon as possible."
Posted by chrismatts at June 5, 2004 12:57 PMThe manager's statement that "we need to show that we are following a rigorous process" suggests that there is an additional audience and an additional purpose for the document.
So another question to ask, soon after "who is this document for" and "how will this document serve those people," is: "Do I wish to serve those people in that way?"
Your "to myself" thoughts suggest that though you don't really wish to serve the additional audience (the people to whom your manager wants to demonstrate rigor), you do recognize that the summary will serve your primary customer, your manager, in an additional way (by allowing the manager to demonstrate rigor. And perhaps writing the summary serves you in some direct way too — such as by shortening this conversation with your manager.
It seems to me that the first part of your private thoughts, "sounds like Muda," comes from your unique intuition and wisdom — the stuff that makes you not just a coach, not just a business coach, but an agile business coach. I'm wondering whether there might have been value in bringing your special wisdom into the conversation at that point.
Posted by: Dale Emery at June 5, 2004 9:23 PM