Consensus is fine. Getting everyone's opinion before a decision is fine. All admirable and in a perfect environment, a worthy goal.
However, if every department had to weigh in before any decision was made on everything, nothing would get done. I'm not going to get bent out of shape if the request arrives to change x to y. I'll look at it. I'll evaluate it. If it is something I can do, I'll do it. If I have a better alternative, I'll suggest it and if it has repercsussions, I'll express them. --- Gene Kim-Eng <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > This is the sort of thing that should be happening *before* > decisions are made about changes. The example that best > illustrates (because most people will know it) are those > "briefing room" scenes from "Star Trek," where the captain > gathers the department heads around a table and gets all > their inputs on the issues and possible consequences > involved in a decision he has to make, then delivers the > decision to them all in a group. Compare that to the sort > of "smoke filled room" process in many companies in > which two or three executives who haven't a clue what > their staffs will have to do to make their decisions work > talk for a while behind closed doors and then the new > requirements are communicated in some broadcast > email that your immediate manager had no more idea > was coming than you did. > > Gene Kim-Eng > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "John Posada" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > >I wouldn't expect a product manager to be able to anticipate or > > consult on every issue that every department has with every > decision. > > I expect a manager to base a decision of what they think is best > from > > the product perspective. I then expect each department to speak > up if > > it is an issue that cannot be satisfied. > > John Posada Senior Technical Writer "I think the problem, to be quite honest with you, is that you've never actually known what the question is." ______________________________________________ Author Help files and create printed documentation with Doc-To-Help. New release adds Team Authoring Support, enhanced Web-based help technology and PDF output. Learn more at www.doctohelp.com/tcp. DITA West 2007--Use a discount code of "TECHCOMMPROS" to get a discount rate of $200 off the $800 price if you register before close of business January 15, 2007. http://www.travelthepath.com/conf/dita2007.shtml _______________________________________________ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
