Management Mini Saga #2: Project Round Tuit
Project friendship: What will you do?
by David Zinger
This is our second 50 work mini saga.
Click here to read the first mini saga and over 20 comments based on the saga.
Rick and Joe are personal friends. Rick is the project lead on a key corporate initiative. Joe is 2 weeks late on a deliverable he committed to. Rick asked Joe about the late work and Joe said, “come on buddy give me a break I’ll get it to you soon.”
Please comment. If you were Rick what would you do or say next?
Photo credit: Get it? by http://www.flickr.com/photos/stinkypeter/274781697/
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POSTED IN: management
4 opinions for Management Mini Saga #2: Project Round Tuit
Corinne
Sep 3, 2008 at 9:11 am
Having read “The wisdom of the Flying Pig” I would try this. I would ask what the reason for the delay was. I would remind him of how essential the deliverable was. Depending on his answer I would negotiate a new deadline, anything from 1 day to 1 week. I would then let the team know what the delay was and rearrange the schedules so that the delay did not impact on other deadlines.
David Zinger
Sep 3, 2008 at 12:53 pm
Corinne:
Good fusion of flying pigs and friends. You are flexible and of course a flying pig would be flexible too. Thanks for the comment.
David
Jonathan
Sep 8, 2008 at 9:50 pm
I would ask him to tell me about the challenge to deliver this, to inquire if he was stuck on some aspect of this task, or if there was another task capturing his attention. When I understand the situation then I can renegotiate the delivery with the right person. (it might not be the person who is late)
David Zinger
Sep 9, 2008 at 10:26 am
Johnathan
I appreciate the focus on understanding through caring questions. Good point…”it might not be the person who is late.”
David
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