Is there not a precedent for this! I have a memory of a story about software developers who got together in a very OS way.
They were invited to write all the tasks the project needed on cards and place them on a table. The software modules that needed to be modified. The functions that needed to be included. Whatever entered their heads without fear or favour. They added new ones as they arose, stapled duplicates together, organised them into groups or clusters, whatever it took until all the cards were on the table. Only when they had run out of ideas did the participants start to take responsibility for individual cards, and start to do the work. Even after the work started cards could be added to the table. Again they could add cards regarding areas that they would not work on, maybe outside their area of expertise. It might be a way of getting started. The sneaky way is to do it, number and record all the cards (tasks), and create the plan. Of course there might be cards that no one wants. So you do it again with that one card as the theme until it takes a form that someone is willing to take responsibility for. If no one does then maybe its not needed or no one is qualified to deal with it and you've identified a lack of resources. In seems like it could be fun. At least in my head. Shay At 22:13 19/02/2005, you wrote:
When last heard from, the young manager was in some major state of dis-repair, not to mention confusion. He feels much better now, thanks to everybody's suggestions, and wishes to report that his progress towards enlightenment is small but steady. However, he still has a job to do - and despite some reservations, actually enjoys his job. But he surely could use some help in terms of practical strategy and tactics. Specifically, he has just been given an assignment to develop a new piece of software for a client. If he can do it - it will be right at the cutting edge, and he just loves the challenge. But - how to get there from here? He knows all about playing by the old rules which require a project plan, budget, staffing levels, milestones, evaluation and testing procedure, and all the rest. But, what about all this "self-organizing" stuff? How do you play by the new rules? What are they? And last but not least - how do you rationalize what you have done under the new rules so that it looks like the "old rules" have been observed? This last part may seem sneaky and dishonest, but my young manager friend really likes his job. But he did confide in me that he is thinking about going out on his own. However, his mortgage, wife and kids make him a little nervous. So he sure could use your help! Harrison Harrison Owen 7808 River Falls Drive Potomac, Maryland 20845 Phone 301-365-2093 Open Space Training www.openspaceworld.com <http://www.openspaceworld.com/> Open Space Institute www.openspaceworld.org Personal website http://mywebpages.comcast.net/hhowen/index.htm [email protected] To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected]: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
Crossroads Facilitation 50 Carrigdhoun, Waterpark, Carrigaline, Co. Cork www.crossroadsfacilitation.ie "Building bridges and getting you over them" * * ========================================================== [email protected] ------------------------------ To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected]: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html To learn about OpenSpaceEmailLists and OSLIST FAQs: http://www.openspaceworld.org/oslist
