Project Life Cycle ~ Customers

Greetings Dear Reader,

We have all heard the axiom, “the customer is always right.”  We also know this is an attitude and not the truth.  There is a similar attitude in project management.  During the project the customer will often ask a “can we” question. 

The “can we” question is usually a new idea about functionality or content.  If the thing is possible that does not mean that we say yes.  In truth, we can do almost anything that can be done but we always have to consider the impact to the overall project.  In the moment we never say yes or no because we do not want to commit to an unknown or to offer what we cannot deliver. 

We must consider the cost of everything.  I must always do the same.  I must not commit to things I cannot do and I must not fail to do that to which I have committed.  I must consider the cost of things before I say yes or no. I must measure the request against what my purpose is.

It is in following Christ’s example that I find the filter through which I must measure my yes or no.  It is in that there is truth and understanding.  Then there is the question of who is my customer when it comes to following Christ.  That will have to wait for tomorrow.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Project Life Cycle ~ Agile and Waterfall

Greetings Dear Reader,

In the project management world there are two basic approaches which both have value.  The waterfall approach cascades a series of step to completion of a project. If is focused on a series of predefined requirements, a plan or schedule, and those guide the project.  The agile approach focuses on the needs of those who will use the end result.  It is more about what is to be accomplished than the demands of the predefined requirements. 

Both are effective.  One can argue over which is better but a true project manager will agree that there is a proper use of both depending on the project.  Mixing them can be disastrous.  There can be moments of each in the other but they are few of them.

The waterfall approach came first and agile arose out of needs unmet by that approach.  This week I was reading about the difference between living under the law of the Old Testament and in the fulfillment of the law in the New Testament. 

People often describe this as living under law or grace.  I feel that is a false distinction.  The law still required one to live under the grace of the Father.  It still demanded that one live by faith.  Without faith it is impossible to please God.

The law is intended to show us that we are imperfect.  It is a taskmaster to show us our need for grace.  We no longer need that because we have the example of Christ.  I must not insist that someone live under law whether it is Old Testament or otherwise.

Completing the journey is fulfilled by meeting the requirements of the journey.  I can choose a systematic approach as long as I do not ignore the needs of my fellow travelers.  I can choose a needs-based approach as long as I do not forget that there are rules that must be obeyed.  Either way I need to walk in grace as that is the only hope I see.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Second Thoughts – Crema Cafe

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

Crema Café is a simple but by no means simplistic eatery on Madison’s East Side.  Literally a scone’s throw from lake Monona it is almost hidden by the small strip mall in which it resides.  It is, however, worth finding.

I love trying new diners and cafés.  I did not venture to this one accidentally.  A former student works here and we wanted to reconnect.  I brought my Daughter for a Sunday brunch a few weeks ago.  I was pleased to see my student again but was also surprised by the reasonably priced high quality fare.

I chose the Killer Scramble (smoked salmon, sautéed leeks, local goat cheese, 3 eggs w/ toast and petite salad).   I did not inquire as to whether the actual goat or its cheese was local.  I was too taken by the excellent portion and quality balance of the food.  Smoked salmon can overpower a dish but not in this case.  It was rich and sweet to a perfect complement of the goat cheese.  The leeks were properly sautéed and rendered their flavor to harmonize with the dish, 

My Daughter chose the Breakfast Sandwich (Fried egg, local smoked bacon, cheddar-herb cream cheese, and frisée on ciabatta).  Her palate is much harder to please than mine but she found it wonderful.  She liked it enough that she had the same thing on our second visit.

The atmosphere is relaxed.  They offer sidewalk seating when the weather allows.  Tea and coffee are abundant in quantity and variety.  The staff is friendly and energetic.  It is very busy on weekend mornings but I also chose to linger whilst writing on a weekday.  It was made clear that I could sit as long as I wished.  

I urge you to try this hidden gem. 

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Project Life Cycle ~ Stories

Greetings Dear Reader,

In the Agile method of project management user stores define what is desired from the perspective of the customer.  It focuses attention on the desired outcome over writing requirements.   It is conversations held to understand before one tries to build.

As a storyteller I value this highly.  It puts listening and understanding over creating rules for work.  It puts people ahead of the process.  It requires people to get to know each other before they try to work together.

I feel that Christ followers fail so often to hear the story of those who do not believe.  We do not get to know people before we try to change their lives.  We do not seek first to understand before we ask to be understood.  We do not hear their stories before trying to share ours.

My story, when honestly told, is a sad one most of the time.  There is always sadness lurking around my heart because of loss and pain from years past.  That, however, is not the key to my story.  The light in the fog is that there is a way out.  The pain and loss are not the life.  They are things that lead me to the life.

We must realize that the tragedy in our stories can help us hear the tragedy in others’ lives if we will set our stories aside long enough to listen.  I must listen first.  I must use two ears and one mouth.  I must listen with my heart and love the storyteller no matter what his or her story is.  Perhaps if I listen and love and linger I will get a chance to share my story.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Project Life Cycle ~ Harmonization of Effort

Greetings Dear Reader,

It amazes me when working on a project that there will be persons who actively work to hinder a project by demanding specific things that hazard the overall project.  I sat in a meeting once where an individual insisted on changes that were not critical to success but would hinder the project for all the other participants.

When I consider project management I consider what feeds the critical path.  I consider how everything suggested speaks to the requirements, the time line, and the resources.  What makes a project run smoothly is harmonization of effort.  When all the people involved focus on the needs of the project and the most effective way to accomplish those things the resulting harmonization can be amazing.

When I look at those who wish to follow Christ I do not see this.  I see tower building, self-gratification, and wasted resources.  Organizations avoid the critical path to build up a position or standard.  They waste resources on activities instead of the work of the Gospel.  The infighting in the church wastes resources that could be used to care for a hurting world. 

I must be sure that I do all that I can to promote harmonization of effort.  I do not have to agree with the choices or lifestyle of someone to help care for him or her in need.  I do not have to agree with everything about an organization in order to help its efforts in caring for the poor. 

I must assure that if it is true and good that I support it.  If it aides the Gospel I do not care about much else.  If I am to follow Christ then I must live peaceably with all men.  I must follow the critical path no matter what the agenda.  I must work toward and encourage others to seek harmonization of effort.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Project Life Cycle ~ The Critical Path

Greetings Dear Reader,

In every project there is a critical path.  The critical path is “the sequence of stages determining the minimum time needed for an operation, especially when analyzed on a computer for a large organization.”  This is an aspect of the project that must be followed if the project is to be successful.

The critical path can change if requirements are added or work turns out to be harder or easier.  The critical path defines what must be done.  It defines what has to be accomplished.  It is, well, critical.

In life we make things critical that are not.  In life we make things unimportant that are critical.  We neglect the critical path and then wonder why life fails.  Marriages, child rearing, and careers all have critical paths.  Even these, however, are not the core path. 

You know, Dear Reader, that I believe we are all on a journey back to God.  We are all in need of him.  There is a critical path to this journey.  Jesus said that it is a narrow path.  When asked what the critical path was he always included three things.

The first is that it is faith.   Faith is necessary because the path is only accessible through it.   So many people try to hang deeds that merit God’s favor on the critical path.  We cannot earn God’s favor.  We already have it.  We already have the love and compassion of the Father. 

We have two other items that are the critical path.  When asked what the critical path was Jesus made it very clear.  We are to love God unconditionally with all that we are.  We are to unconditionally love our neighbors.  Everything else in the project hangs on these two things. 

I have lost friends because I insisted that this is love.  It is not just respect.  It is not just acknowledging.  It is unconditional permanent love.  We need to follow this path or we turn Christ into something that he is not.  The journey; the project is impossible without it. 

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Project Life Cycle ~ Beginning a Project

Greetings Dear Reader,

The certain way to doom a project at the outset is to fail to properly define the objective.  If we do not begin with the end in mind we do not know where we are going.  We dare not commit resources to something that is not defined.

The first thing I need to consider is that I am responsible for the project but that the resources that make it possible are not my own.  I am entrusted with resources from the owner.  I am accountable to him for how I use them. 

This brings me to an understanding that if I view life as a project I must consider what I am building.  As a Christ follower I get some clear instructions.  I am not to build for the project process but for the implementation at the end.  I am supposed to invest in the success of the project not the wants along the way. 

Like the project process the life journey is getting to a destination.  It is getting back to God and all that is good.  It is in my interest, therefore, to build things that lead to the end of the journey.  It is a waste of project resources to spend too much effort on the temporary.

The end of the project, the journey, is my reclamation and all things being brought back to good.  Everything, therefore, must be done with that in mind.  It is after all an excellent way to begin.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Second Thoughts – Bezel’s Birthday

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you Dear Reader.

I miss my younger Son today.  We spoke earlier and I was able to wish him a happy birthday in an un-rushed manner.  We talked about his dreams.  He is anxious to get there but has learned the valuable lesson of putting in the work to do so.

I am more proud of that than I would be if here were a successful “fill in the blank”.   He understands hard work and can work hard.  He has learned that you have to build to success and is willing to do that.  I believe in his dreams.  I believe in him.

Take a moment and raise a glass to my Son on his advent anniversary.  He is a good man with a promising future.  I am honored to be his Father.  Happy Birthday Bezel.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Project Life Cycle ~ Opening Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

Until you wonderful people buy enough of my books to allow me to work only as a writer I eke out a living as a project manager.  At the end of June I was laid off and am currently seeking a new gig.  One of the things I am doing to promote my learning during this time is catching up on my reading about project management.

This led to me thinking about the life of a project and then to this project called life.  Right now risk has been introduced into my current project plan.  Part was unavoidable and part is understood.  It is risk I must mitigate.

As devote my “free” time to looking for work, self-education, and writing I will also continue to ponder this project life.  I promise not to get to academic in my pondering but I may put a fine point on some things.  The project life cycle applies well to the life cycle project.  It is in this management that we and the Management can find a path to making life a successful project. 

I hope you will join me for s few project meetings Dear Reader.  I could use the input and you are a valuable resource.  The journey would not be possible without you. 

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Freedom ~ Closing Thoughts

Greetings Dear Reader,

I think that in many ways we have abandoned the idea of personal responsibility.  We blame circumstances and others for our failure to do what we should.  We say we need more time when we have all been given the same amount.  We say we have too much to do when we have over-committed.

Too often we are not honest about what we want to do and then blame others for making us do things.  We do not excise an honest locus of control on our lives.  We then blame others for controlling us. 

I am free to do as I choose to do.  I am, however, accountable for my choices.  It is in those choices that most of life unfolds.  I cannot control the choices of others and I may be impacted the consequences of their choices.  I still am free to choose my response.

What then are the preset guidelines for my choices?  What do I put in place to assure that I exercise my freedom with responsibility?  I choose to follow Christ.  I choose to assert his primary commands to love God and to love others. 

In the freedom of choice I will fail at times.  The goal is to shorten the time between failure and rectification.  To lessen the times of failure is a goal as well.  If excising my freedom and commitment to love others becomes the habitual and not the uncommon then I will exercise my other freedoms more responsibly.  In that lies true freedom.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)