Having said that I’ve seen people burned out simply because no one really care whether they still catch up and at what cost. The project was the king. In the long run organization lost since it was pretty hard to replace these people.

The problem here is you can’t really measure atmosphere or happiness. Yes, they try to do these fancy surveys. “I’m happy 7 out of 10.” What the hell does it mean? And if you can’t measure it you must use your knowledge/experience/gut feeling/whatever and make your own, well-weighted call each time. That’s how I look at it.

Having said that I’ve seen people burned out simply because no one really care whether they still catch up and at what cost. The project was the king. In the long run organization lost since it was pretty hard to replace these people.

The problem here is you can’t really measure atmosphere or happiness. Yes, they try to do these fancy surveys. “I’m happy 7 out of 10.” What the hell does it mean? And if you can’t measure it you must use your knowledge/experience/gut feeling/whatever and make your own, well-weighted call each time. That’s how I look at it.

I agree PM role is to validate goals, but don’t forbid them to challenge goals, especially when they know much of a business background. After all business people can sustain their position since they are decision-makers.

The point where I strongly disagree is that business people spend their own money. They don’t. Starting with governments which spend our money and ending with every big corporation where decisions are made by middle management, not co-owners or shareholders. And I don’t fool myself all these people try to choose the best option for the organization they work at.

When you come with money-saving project and all you hear is “That’s not in my bonus schema” you’re disillusioned. Of course if you had any illusion in the first place.

I agree PM role is to validate goals, but don’t forbid them to challenge goals, especially when they know much of a business background. After all business people can sustain their position since they are decision-makers.

The point where I strongly disagree is that business people spend their own money. They don’t. Starting with governments which spend our money and ending with every big corporation where decisions are made by middle management, not co-owners or shareholders. And I don’t fool myself all these people try to choose the best option for the organization they work at.

When you come with money-saving project and all you hear is “That’s not in my bonus schema” you’re disillusioned. Of course if you had any illusion in the first place.

Our airport (DIA) was a budget buster and schedule disaster. 10 years later no one cares. It broke even 3 years after opening and has been a huge revenue generator for Denver ever since.

This whole notion of defining success or failure in the absence of the stakeholders units of measures is pretty much a waste of time.

Hence the complete non-value for reports like Standish. The jury is still out on 787, general light rail in most cities, and energy independence of solar, wind, and now our current focus – algae based syn fuel sources for coal fired power plant augmentation – via DOE’s ARRA funds.

Our airport (DIA) was a budget buster and schedule disaster. 10 years later no one cares. It broke even 3 years after opening and has been a huge revenue generator for Denver ever since.

This whole notion of defining success or failure in the absence of the stakeholders units of measures is pretty much a waste of time.

Hence the complete non-value for reports like Standish. The jury is still out on 787, general light rail in most cities, and energy independence of solar, wind, and now our current focus – algae based syn fuel sources for coal fired power plant augmentation – via DOE’s ARRA funds.