Chaco Canyon Consulting

Bookmark and Share Ten Project Haiku

by Rick Brenner

Ten separate haiku contemplating the lives of projects and of the people who work on them.
I

Our project was late,
    so we added more people.
The problem got worse.

II

When requirements changed,
    the schedule did not — were we
headed for trouble?

III

We were doing fine,
    'til they reduced the budget.
Now we're overspent.

IV

We think about risks.
    We have contingency plans.
Oops…but not for that.

V

I gave estimates.
    They cut all of them in half.
Next time I'll pad them.

VI

We can't get it right
    and still come in on schedule.
Why can't we do both?

VII

We hired consultants
    who told us how to fix things.
They don't understand.

VIII

There is no more time,
    but the work is unfinished.
Take more time from Test.

IX

The module failed Test,
    so first we changed all the Tests.
Now the requirements.

X

If a project fails
    but we keep working on it,
Has it really failed?

  Go to top  Top
Bookmark and Share
Reprinting this article
Are you a writer, editor or publisher on deadline? Are you looking for an article that will get people talking and get compliments flying your way? You can have 500 words in your inbox in one hour. License any article from this Web site. More info
Are You the Target of a Bully?
101 Tips for Targets of Workplace BulliesAre you being targeted by a workplace bully? Do you know what to do to end the bullying? Read 101 Tips for Targets of Workplace Bullies to learn powerful methods for dealing with workplace bullies. Check it out!
Support
Point Lookout
by starting your Amazon search here
When you start here, a part of every purchase you make goes to support Point Lookout, at no cost to you.
Search Now:
Amazon Logo
Especially for Leaders
52 Tips for Leaders of Project-Oriented OrganizationsAre your project teams plagued by turnover, burnout, and high defect rates? Turn your culture around.
Love the Work But Not the Job?
Go For It: Sometimes It's Easier If You RunBad boss, long commute, troubling ethical questions, hateful colleague? Learn what we can do when we love the work but not the job.
Full list of my publications
Ebooks, booklets and tip books on project management, conflict, writing email, effective meetings and more.
Subscribe to
A Tip A Day!
A Tip A DayA Tip a Day arrives by email, or by Yahoo! Widget, each business day. It's 20 to 30 words at most, and gives you a new perspective on the hassles and rewards of work life. Most tips also contain links to related articles. Free!
Catalog of Services
If your teams don't yet consistently achieve state-of-the-art teamwork, check out this catalog. Help is just a few clicks away!
Full list of my publications
Ebooks, booklets and tip books on project management, conflict, writing email, effective meetings and more.
SSL