The Stages of a Project that everyone knew, but no one wanted to elaborate on!!!

S.Suren

In this article I would like to mention that the difference type of stages in a Project Implementation.

Here are the six stages of a typical IT project:

1. Wild Enthusiasm
2. Total Confusion
3. Fear and Uncertainty
4. Search for the Guilty
5. Punishment of the Innocent
6. Promotion of the Uninvolved

I’m not saying that these occurs in every IT project, but common, it does happen in some and makes us wonder, if this is whats happening will it ever be looked into and corrected. The answer to that would be “No” I guess, simply because there will be always be a human influence on any project and as long as that happens, these things tend to happen.

Lets look at each of these stages in detail and see what can be done to make the most of these situations, for the good of course!!

1. Wild Enthusiasm – There is always bound to be some of this, expecially when it comes to implementing a new system, everyone is not quite sure what to expect and what will become of the old practices, this is where the consultant / project manager will have to step in and make sure to communicate to the users on what this project is all about, and what to expect and not to expect too. People handling skills at this point of time is crucial, but this is also the enthusiastic and enjoyable part of the project, this is best part of the project where the consultant /project manager can really build up a good rapport with the customers.

2. Total Confusion – Getting deeper in the project, the complications begin to arise to the top. This is when the customers are not too sure, who is going to take responsibility for the project and everyone make an effort to get prevailing operational issues sorted out, before the consultant digs deeper into their relevant areas. This is where the consultant / project manager needs to draw up a plan with clear guidelines as to who would be responsible for what, and he needs to make sure that he uses his rapport built in the first stage in getting the users to accept these responsibilities.

3. Fear & Uncertainity - This is bound to be there in every project, and is something that needs to be addresses with utmost importance, as this could escalate into something big and jeopardize the entire project. The consultant / project manager need to again communicate to the team the importance of knowing what to do, and the fact that crucial functions be double checked and confirmed before performing them. I have come across customers who sometimes are just too afraid to have to do anything with the project simply because all senior managers and directors are involved to some extent into the operational areas too, this leads to them not even making an attempt to question and clear their doubts about the project. As they say in an ERP Implementation expecially, there shouldn’t be a single stone not unturned, and if the above situation were to occur, a lot of important information would be lost. The Project Team should keep everyone informed on the importance of their input and assure them that they will always have the higher management support.

4. Search for the Guilty – My personal stance on this is, people will make mistakes and as long as they are involved in projects, this will happen; therefore it is up for the consultant / project manager to prepare for contingencies too. If in case, there is someone who is incapable of doing something that was assigned to him / her then this should be identified and that individual should be moved to something else they are capable of doing. I strongly believe that everyone have their strengths and weaknesses and a good manager should be able to identify this and make the most of that persons strengths.

5. Punishment of the innocent – As I said before, there is no need for this to happen if the previous can be done in a proper way. The reality is however that these situations do happen and I believe that if the consequence is something that can be sorted out without loosing a life, then it should just be done and the person responsible should be educated on the importance of his task and how the relevant task should be performed correctly.

6. Promotion of the Uninvolved – Well, the reality is that the person who stays late and arrives earlier than the boss, just prior to the project going live is who gets all the credit for the final effort taken. They say, there are two kinds of workers, 1. The person who can finish his work assigned to him double quickly and efficiently and so finds the time allocated for his work more than enough, 2. The person who cannot finish his work assigned to him in the time allocated, simply because he has not got his task priorities right, and ends up staying late and doing those things that need to completed in that day, that could have been done in the time provided itself.

The last point is controversial to say the least, and could be debated for the rest of mankind’s existence, but a good manager will know the difference and make the right decision. Hope you found this post interesting, your suggestions, comments and ideas are always welcome!!

Have a Great Day !!!

S.Suren