The Whack-a-Mole Model of Project Management Bad

The survey of the shuttle Challenger disaster, initially focused on a ring "O" that failed shortly after takeoff. But a search of the true cause may be indicated for the management as much as did the ring, "O". Then, years later, the shuttle Columbia exploded on re-entered Earth's atmosphere as the United States. Six astronauts were killed. Once again, the investigation began with the technical problem, but eventually also recalled mismanagement.

While the technical problems were very different, it seems that management problems were surprisingly similar, the management problems identified in the course of the Challenger just "popped" back into the Columbia project. Yes, they were addressed by NASA in response to the Challenger report, but they were apparently too ingrained in the culture to disappear.

As the radical changes that Boeing introduced to project management during the project 777? These changes would include suppliers and customers as part of the design team and create a project culture that encouraged communication both up and down the hierarchy of project management. And it was successful. The traditional culture, hierarchical, and closed at Boeing gave way to a flat organizational structure with an open management style. But, after the 777 has been completed, these new changes will not attack and old practices just "popped" again.

Wait a minute!

Does this sound familiar?

And 'the Whac-a-Mole model of project management.

Whack-a-Mole, as many know, is an arcade game where the player attempts to beat plastic moles in their holes with a soft hammer and large black. The game in its full-size version, includes a broad standard of living, closet with five holes. One mole of plastic hides just below the surface in each of these holes. After depositing 25 cents, a mole is opened at random. The challenge is to beat again with the hammer before it disappears and another will open in a different hole. The more moles a player serves again, the higher the score.

Bad practices of project management are like moles. Regardless of how quickly the player beats them up emerge, when and where you least expect them.

Now, here is the challenge. For many players, and maybe even a project manager for years, beating back the moles is very funny. It 's also exciting! They can not imagine life without moles.

Rehabilitation requires that we see the Whac-a-mole for what it is and turn our attention to a real "culprits". In project management, which is usually the culprit culture and management of the project.

Culture is manifested through the values, beliefs and practices that guide behavior. Becomes visible in the following methodologies, tools and software we use, the way we communicate, the way we work, how to reach our goals and how to tackle the problems. Research has taught us that culture is essential for proper design of a continuous series of successes of the project.

Here the connection. When the culture of the project suffers the same problems arise again and again.

Unless you get rid of moles is not a club big enough to consistently deliver successful projects .......