PM Tip: Sometimes You Have To Pull An All-Nighter

This is the third in a series of Project Management tips derived from my experience building an enduring record as a Project Manager who leads business and systems projects from inception to successful completion.

PM Tip: Sometimes You Have To Pull An All-Nighter

As a Project Manager your credibility and integrity is perhaps the most crucial tool you have in your arsenal.

When times get tough on a project - and they will, if it is a project worth committing some of your career to - the ability of your client (the person/s sponsoring your project whether or not they are a client in a traditional sense of being someone you invoice) and your project team to trust you will often be the difference to getting through a challenge, or not.

Recently I committed to produce some critical project planning documents for a project - without factoring that the 4 days after the day I made the promise (a Thursday) were a long planned Friday to Monday family holiday during which I could not work - both in the sense of honouring a commitment to my family, and also I was holidaying in a location without power or internet so literally could not do the work.

The deadline for these documents was the Friday of what had suddenly become a short week for me. Especially as I had another client commitment, which included travel, for the Thursday and Friday of the week the documents were due.

I should have seen it coming, but I didn't. I made a promise I couldn't keep - while working a normal business day.

On the day I made the promise there was more than a week to go. But in reality I only had 2 days of normal business hours to do the work - which wasn't enough.

Maybe I could have reset expectations and pushed out the deadline as I had left myself too short a time to produce these documents - but the commercial reality was they needed to be produced when I had originally promised.

The only way through was for me to 'pull an all-nighter' - which I did.

On the Wednesday evening I worked until 4:30am on the Thursday and got the documents completed. I got to bed for about 1.5 hours then got up to catch my flight to meet the unrelated Thursday and Friday commitment.

I was exhausted - but I had honoured my promise.

The client (whom I subtly made aware of my 'all-nighter'!) now knows that when they receive a commitment from me I will do what it takes to honour my commitments.

And my project team know the same - and won't be surprised when I expect them to do the same.

The influence that flows from keeping my commitments will make me a much more effective project manager.

Sometimes You Have To Pull An All-Nighter!

Prior posts in this series:

1. Intervene Early
2. Look for Early Warning Signs

PM Tip: Look for Early Warning Signs

This is the second in a series of Project Management tips derived from my experience building an enduring record as a Project Manager who leads business and systems projects from inception to successful completion.

PM Tip: Look for Early Warning Signs

A few months ago a client went live on a new system for which I was the vendor side project manager.

They were a particularly challenging client throughout the three month project. They were always trying to push project activities back on to the vendor project team - even though they had accepted responsiblity for completing these tasks. This was so they would learn the system during the project so they could be more self-sufficient post-go-live. It was also to keep project costs down.

They were also not very good at managing their diaries. This became a frequent cause of frustration and sometimes delay on the project. We were regularly rescheduling meetings they accepted initially then declined just before the meeting, or simply didn't turn up for.

I had recognised this was probably going to be the case when for the very first project workshop (a whole day) they asked for it to be delayed late on the day before it was scheduled, even though it had been scheduled for weeks, and required travel for a number of workshop attendees (including me). Their excuse - a weekly team meeting within their organisation that they would have known about when scheduling our project workshop many weeks prior.

Apart from being rude we interpreted this as a likely ongoing behaviour, which proved to be the case.

As vendor project manager I became increasingly more active and direct, sometimes blunt, during the project when managing their delivery of their obligations to the project, and even simply turning up to meetings.

The lesson: look for early warning signs. People's behaviour is typically repetitive. If they do something early in a project, they are likely to keep doing it again and again during the project. In this case it was a corporate learned behaviour - the whole client team behaved this way. Sometimes, however, it is one individual who behaves a particular way.

Look for early warning signs!

Prior post in this series:

1. Intervene Early

PM Tip: Intervene Early

This is the first of what will become a series of Project Management tips derived from my experience building an enduring record as a Project Manager who leads business and systems projects from inception to successful completion.

PM Tip: Intervene Early

One of my current roles is Project Manager for the implementation of a new system at a client organisation which is not accustomed to projects where technology is the primary enabler.

When they were presented with a requirements document, to review for sign off, that was by nature more technical than they are used to, they initially balked and started expressing reservations about their ability to understand the document, much less sign it off.

I have worked for global consulting firms where they would wait until the client didn't sign off the document to raise a formal issue about it - with the excuse that it was clearly pre-agreed that this was the client's responsibility.

But by then it is too late - the milestone has been missed.

Instead, on this occasion, I saw that unless we guided their review of the document they would not get to a position of signing it off. Possibly never, but certainly not within the project timeline.

So we devoted extra time to helping them understand and review the document. They still had to make the judgement calls, but we guided them through the process. More so than usual.

However, by intervening early, helping them understand the document and where they needed to focus their review, the outcome was that they signed off on the document - a day early.

Intervene early!

Red Rock has acquired Jireh Consulting

Red Rock (part of publicly listed UXC) has acquired Jireh Consulting.

My congratulations to my friend and colleague Mark Elley who built Jireh over the last seven years into a successful JDE consultancy with clients who speak very highly of the high quality services provided by the Jireh team.

The acquisition brings the Jireh and Red Rock teams together so as to better serve the market for JDE services, primarily in New Zealand (under Mark's leadership), but also in Australia where Red Rock is based.

I have provided JDE consulting services through Jireh since 2008, and will continue to do so through Red Rock.

As described here on GavinKnight.com here is a refresher on the services I provide:

• Project Manager - I have an enduring record as a Project Manager who leads business and systems projects from inception to successful completion;

• Business Analyst and Business Systems Consultant - I have extensive experience as a Business Analyst and Business Systems Consultant who can understand business requirements, translate them into clear requirements definitions with an appropriate mix of systems change & process change and then implement them;

• Business Coach - I use my experience as a consultant and leader to coach others to increase their performance.

To discuss how I can help you improve the performance of your business please contact me using one of the contact methods listed at the top right.

Tui at Zealandia

Joel and I took his four year old cousin to one of our favourite Wellington Saturday activities today. Zealandia is a wonderful conservation story.

Conditions were great today for photography of the birdlife that is thriving in the sanctuary. Joel took this photo as I was focussed on hosting my nephew. He has a good eye for a good photo.

Today it seemed much greener for this time of year. Usually it is starting to brown off by now with the drier conditions heading into summer. The birdlife seems to be enjoying the abundance of food on offer. Lots of skinks too.

This is the iconic Tui, a bird native to New Zealand, and increasingly prolific around Wellington since the sanctuary was formed. Tui love flitting around on these flax flowers slurping up the nectar and are so fast moving it can be very difficult to get them all in focus - hence the slightly blurred beak which is on the move hunting out even more nectar!

A high quality version of this image can be found in on 500px.

Collaboration Roadmap: You've Got the Technology - Now What?

I just ordered my copy of Collaboration Roadmap: You've Got the Technology — Now What?; the fourth book written by my friend and professional colleague Michael Sampson (@collabguy) - this time to address the following business challenge:

Many firms are struggling with collaboration technology. Either it's been installed and is not being used, or they are not sure what to do. How do you make great decisions about collaboration technology and its use within organizations? Collaboration Roadmap answers both questions.

Have you ordered your copy yet?

Michael also consults, runs workshops and speaks on these and related collaboration topics.  You can contact Michael here.

Or, you can contact me if you need more general assistance with choosing or implementing technology, or your use of it, so that your business is more effective.

Grumbles with the Finder in Mac OS X

I'm generally very happy with my switch to the Mac, but have a couple grumbles with the Mac OS X Finder:

• I can Copy a file, but not Cut?

• I have to use the File menu to open a new window (not the Window menu)?

Maybe I should be using an alternate file management application?

Yes, the Flower was that Yellow

Since I moved from Windows to the Mac a couple months ago I've been trying out various Mac applications. I'm particularly enjoying the range of photography apps I now have access to.

One app I like is iSplash (US$0.99 in the Mac App store) which makes a photo black & white except where you choose for the original colours to remain. It only takes a minute or two to process a photo.

It creates simple yet astonishing effects like this. Yes, the flower was that yellow. But how much more yellow it looks with the surrounding colour removed.

Solar Eclipse from Titahi Bay

So the Solar Eclipse on Friday evening was a bit of a fizzer.

We abandoned going up Mt Kau Kau as it was simply too windy and headed to Titahi Bay instead where it was still quite windy but at least we could stand up!

The eclipse itself was only a very partial eclipse, and occurred right on dusk when there was a cloud layer on the horizon over the South Island so some of the eclipse happened behind that cloud from our vantage point.

Here is the best of my photos of the eclipse. The eclipse is the small slice missing from the sun on the upper left hand side.

A high quality version of this image can be found in on 500px.

Sunset Makara

At around sunset today we will be able to see a Solar Eclipse from Wellington, and I will be heading out with my camera to try and get a decent photo of it.

Makara is a candidate for my shooting location. It is where this photo was taken 6 months ago, so the sunset tonight should be roughly similar - with the added effect of a solar eclipse.

A high quality version of this image can be found in on 500px.

South Wairarapa Coast

Another photo from my recent photography excursion to the South Wairarapa.

This time of the coastal scenery which clings to the small gap between rolling green (at this time of year) farmland (of which there are hints in this photo) and a very rugged coast (off to the right).

You can see the dramatic effect of numerous earthquakes over many centuries which have progressively lifted this coastline out of the sea.

A high quality version of this image can be found in on 500px.

Porpoises at Paremata Bridge

Driving over Paremata Bridge we saw what we thought were Dolphins but TV3 News says they are Porpoises.

Friends who live nearby say they've been there since yesterday.

A high quality version of this image can be found in on 500px.

The Seagull is such a common bird

The Seagull is such a common bird, a bit of a nuisance actually.

But also quite photogenic.

A high quality version of this image can be found in on 500px.

Derelict House in South Wairarapa

I took the day off work yesterday as it was my birthday.

During the day I went with some friends to the South Wairarapa to enjoy each other's company and some photography.

This is one of my favourite shots.

A high quality version of this image can be found in on 500px.

Fishing Waitarere Sunrise

We're heading into summer.

This is where I plan to be spending a lot of weekends with my son.

A high quality version of this image can be found in on 500px.

This is Not an Act of God ...

"This is not an act of God, this is the earth, doing what it does.

The act of God is is how we love each other, how we reach out to one another."

--- Peter Beck, Dean of the Christchurch Cathedral.

This statement resonated deeply with me when I first saw it on Friday on Facebook while catching up with the still ongoing stream of devastating news and reaction following the earthquake which struck Christchurch on Tuesday. I have been reflecting on it all weekend.

I immediately posted it on Facebook and Twitter myself. I also emailed it to a couple of pastor friends, saying "it's too good to leave [on Facebook and Twitter] alone" - hoping it might help them prepare for leading their church services today. One, my own pastor, challenged me to capture my thoughts in this blog post.

I think Dean Beck's statement resonates with me because it not only reflects my understanding of God, but it also directly confronts those who loosely use the phrase "Act of God" as a way to blame God, or at least hold God to account, for natural events. As if faith in God is some form of lottery, which some must win, and others must lose. Before science helped us understand what is going on in the world around us it was understandable to ascribe natural events like earthquakes to our understanding of a higher power, but we no longer need to do this. Of all places, we here in New Zealand have a rich and growing understanding of seismic forces and what they can, and do, do. Here in Wellington, where I have lived my entire life, we are well aware we have been due the next 'big one' since before I was born.

Just as importantly, I like Dean Beck's statement because it also contradicts those who make the deeply insensitive, and in my opinion plain wrong, statements that earthquakes like this are God passing judgement. One such website, which I refuse to link to, has already caused much comment, and hurt, online. I am also saddened by an Auckland pastor who it seems wrote to all MPs after last September's first Christchurch earthquake blaming it on all sorts of government decisions in recent decades - no doubt a follow up email will soon again be heading the way of MPs. That just makes me angry.

Religious nutters made similar "it is God's judgement" claims in the wake of the davastation caused to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Time quickly made a mockery of their claims. Bourbon Street (the renowned 'red light' and night club district in New Orleans), which was supposedly what God was passing judgement on, was up and running within days. But the neighbourhoods containing the poor - for whom God's heart is deepest (read, all, yes all, of your bible) - were destroyed. Even today, more than five years later, some are still being rebuilt. The stories of people from those neighbourhoods, including many with a deep and active faith, are still heart rending. It was said at the time that if Hurricane Katrina was God's judgement on New Orleans, then he wasn't much of a God, because he missed!

My bible tells me we are made in God's image. I contend that when we do good things - particularly for people who are hurting - we reflect his image into the situation in which we are acting. And, I contend this remains true whether or not those actions are driven by personal faith on the part of the person doing the good things - as that doesn't change that we were all made in God's image. Whether or not it is your understanding, that, I believe, is the sense in which Dean Beck said:

"The act of God is is how we love each other, how we reach out to one another."

For those who are currently rushing to judgement - at a time needing compassion, not judgement - I ask them to reflect on this statement by one of the wisest people to have ever lived:

Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.

Proverbs 12:18 (New Living Translation)

image courtesy www.Stuff.co.nz (whom I hope will forgive the Copyright violation in the circumstances)

Christchurch Earthquake 22-Feb-2011

Yesterday Christchurch was struck by yet another major earthquake and aftershocks and has suffered unbelievable damage including significant levels of injury and sadly death.

I live in Wellington which is some way from Christchurch and unaffected, but I am currently working in Auckland (even further away) returning home this evening as scheduled.  My family in Wellington are fine.

As far as we can tell our extended family and friends in Christchurch are OK, although some are struggling to contact some family members and are understandably worried.

My company Jireh has team members and customers in Christchurch who are far as we can tell are also OK at a personal level.  We are posting updates on the company website and stand ready to help our customers with their systems when they need us.

However, even those not injured, or suffering deaths within the family, or damage to their property will be going through unbelievable stress and worry.  Their city is damaged beyond belief and will take a long time to rebuild and recover.  Many business and jobs will be at risk, which brings its own stresses.

I am deeply impressed by the response of Christchurch, led by their Mayor Bob Parker, and our country led by Prime Minister John Key. At times like this it is starkly clear what a fantastically supportive country we live in.  The support from the international community, particularly Australia and their Prime Minister Julia Gillard, is deeply moving and very appreciated.

If you wish to help you could donate - The Salvation Army is taking donations.

This event has triggered me to start blogging again here at GavinKnight.com but I'm most active on my Twitter @GavinKnight.

Sunset over Wellington

The weather hasn't been so good over the last week or so, but November we had an unusually long spell of fine weather which produced some great sunsets like this one - a panorama photo of Wellington taken from Mt Kau Kau.

During 2010 I haven't felt compelled to blog so much but am aiming to reflect on this over our summer break and decide where to take GavinKnight.com/Blog in 2011.

I also plan to get the camera out more and expand my photography skills.

Day Two - Oracle OpenWorld

As we type this it is Wednesday morning here in San Francisco and we are heading into day three of the Oracle OpenWorld conference.

Mark has just been interviewed by Oracle PR talking about our joint JDE customer Bendon.  We expect Oracle to publish a video clip of the interview in a couple months and will feature it here on the Jireh Blog when they have.

Yesterday (Tuesday here in San Francisco) Mark spent a lot of time in the conference demo grounds meeting Oracle people and checking out the latest in JDE and related software, and building our relationships with Oracle.

Gavin took a different approach yesterday and spent a lot of time in conference sessions about JDE and about Fusion Applications.  These sessions provided valuable information on the options the newer releases offer our customers whether they be running JDE on its own (as we expect most JDE customers will operate for some years) or start to supplement JDE with Fusion Applications (which opens up some interesting possibilities - particularly around embedded decision support, embedded reporting and collaboration). Update: Gavin also attended a customer panel of three customers sharing their recent experiences upgrading to JDE EnterpriseOne 9.0 - there were some valuable insights shared.

If you would like to meet up at OpenWorld to discuss how Jireh can help you with your JDE system, or if you have a particular question you would like us to investigate at the conference, please contact us on Twitter (@JirehJDE) or directly:

• Mark Elley, Director of Technology Consulting, +64 (27) 672 5126, mark_elley@jireh.net.nz;
• Gavin Knight, Director of Business Consulting, +64 (21) 428 059, gavin_knight@jireh.net.nz.

[cross-posted from the Jireh blog]

Day One - Oracle OpenWorld

As we type this it is Tuesday morning here in San Francisco and we are heading into day two of the Oracle OpenWorld conference.

The conference started for us with Larry Ellison's opening keynote on Sunday evening. He announced some new server products in the Oracle Exadata line, including a new Exalogic middleware machine.

Fusion Apps

The most significant announcement however was that Oracle Fusion Applications will be generally available in the first quarter of the 2011 calendar year. This is a significant announcement - Fusion Apps has already been in development five years and represents the next generation of applications from Oracle. It is likely to be a part of the future for JD Edwards customers at some stage but in our opinion this is unlikely in the next few years. Oracle themselves describe Fusion Apps as 'not instead of, but in addition to' your existing ERP, eg JDE, via Fusion Middleware. Larry himself said that initial adopters - including Oracle themselves - will be 'brave customers'!

We are spending a significant portion of our time here at conference investigating Fusion Apps in more detail. We have already had a hands on session with the software and found it very interesting. We were surprised to see how broad the Fusion Apps functional footprint is already as the messaging to date has been it would initially only have a narrow footprint that would grow over time.

JD Edwards

Yesterday - Monday here - we focused on getting the latest news about JD Edwards. Lyle Ekdahl's keynote (he is Group Vice President responsible for JDE within Oracle) emphasised that they are continuing to invest in JDE and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Conference announcements included the release of Fullfilment Management which provides more flexibility for allocating inventory to open orders when orders exceed supply. It was also interesting to hear that globally 34% of JDE EnterpriseOne customers are already on a 9.x release.

Lyle also focussed on the new Apparel module for JDE which is in development and expected to be released next year. Lyle highlighted one of our New Zealand customers who has been participating in the beta testing, and she featured in a video.

We also went to a JDE World product strategy and roadmap session. World is still a product with a future and has a loyal customer base in New Zealand. In the five years under Oracle there have been two major releases and a third is being planned. Oracle is working hard to make World more open so it can operate within a Service Oriented Architecture - like their own Fusion Middleware - even though this is more challenging with JDE World than it is with JDE EnterpriseOne. Examples of this are the JDBC driver for World which allows for integrations, including some that have been prebuilt by Oracle, and JDE World can now utilise Oracle BI Publisher which is a reporting and forms tranformation solution within the Oracle Fusion Middleware stack.

We are also renewing, and making new, relationships with key Oracle JDE people.  These relationships are invaluable to our customers and ourselves.

If you would like to meet up at OpenWorld to discuss how Jireh can help you with your JDE system, or if you have a particular question you would like us to investigate at the conference, please contact us on Twitter (@JirehJDE) or directly:

• Mark Elley, Director of Technology Consulting, +64 (27) 672 5126, mark_elley@jireh.net.nz;
• Gavin Knight, Director of Business Consulting, +64 (21) 428 059, gavin_knight@jireh.net.nz.

[cross-posted from the Jireh blog]