 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
BOOKS
 |
Avoiding the OS Phase®Simple Strategies for Predictive Project Management
Published by Warwick House November 2006
Chapter 2 – Experiencing the OS Phase – Not a Resume Builder
Reference to the OS Phase puts a smile on faces...most of the time! During seminars and training sessions, I ask participants to indicate by a show of hands those who have visited the OS Phase at some time in their career. After a few in the group bravely raise their hands, it seems to encourage others not to be ashamed of admitting the truth. In a few moments time, it is common to have everyone in the assembly holding their hands up high. It is not a badge of honor; neither is it something to be ashamed of in front of others. The mere fact that so many hands are waving in the air is an inspiration for anyone of us to seek out a cure for the ills that often beseech our projects. After first learning of the OS Phase concept and realizing that there is actually a name for that time on a project, most people are eager to describe their actual experience. Those that laugh and smile probably have distant positive memories, because that’s what we usually remember, the positive stuff. When someone glares after hearing the phase mentioned it could be an indicator that not only did that individual hit the OS Phase, but they’re still there! The cliché, you’ll laugh about this tomorrow, probably originated after someone hit the OS Phase. |
Wow! Imagine the frustration felt by Troy and Alice after traveling all the way from Dallas, only to find out that the project they came to wrap up was in fact far from complete. The sad reality is how this same scenario plays itself out with projects in countries around the globe everyday!
Using care not to frustrate them anymore than they already were, I spoke in an upbeat and encouraging tone. “Troy and Alice, your problem is not unique. The current situation with your project is a common example of the OS Phase. Unwarranted optimism by your project manager and an eagerness by you and other senior management to overlook the real project status created an environment that was far from reality.
“The fact that the project’s problems were disguised for so long should in itself be troubling,” I said carefully, without wanting to scold them for their previous misguided reviews of the project. “When the OS Phase starts to approach, the project manager has the choice to respond in different ways. The most damaging reaction is denial and cover-up. Denial may not be intentionally deceitful at the time, but the results will be the same, maybe worse.”
Adding more details to the discussion of the downside effects of the OS Phase, I went on to explain, “If a deliberate cover-up or diversionary tactic is attempted, most chances for project success will be lost. The corresponding activities will do nothing to support the project and will ultimately consume so much of the project manager’s time they won’t have a chance to resolve the real problems with the project itself.”
Alice broke her silence and spoke forcibly about how she was starting to feel. “Time spent hiding or managing the news is wasted, absolutely and categorically wasted! It turns out that we have all wasted a lot of time on this project and it’s hard to put into words how frustrated I am now. In fact, the more I think about it, it’s a good thing Bruce, the project manager, is not sitting with us at the airport.”
Responding to her comments, I tried to calm Alice’s current anger and frustration. “Alice, how you’re feeling now is normal. You are frustrated at being misled, and now your mind is in a fog trying to figure out how you and your associates are going to survive all of the expected criticism.”
I explained again to both of them that the OS Phase represents the moment in a project’s existence when you realize that the project is not really in good shape after all. At this moment, the project is in serious trouble and no simple solutions will drop out of the sky anytime soon. Resumes often come to mind when entering this OS Phase of a project.
Troy quickly saw the correlation of the OS Phase to their project. After reflecting he said, “Even though I’m thinking about this OS Phase thing for the first time, it seems that I’ve observed it a hundred times in my career.
“Remembering what I’ve seen in the past, I think when symptoms of the OS Phase start to surface, the project manager and others lose focus and begin spending most of their time dealing with damage control and ignoring the actual project.”
Continuing, Troy became more dramatic, “At this moment, no one is looking at our project as a whole. The project is spiraling out of control. The ultimate magnitude of what you call the OS Phase is increasing. Life is not good. It’s resume time!”
Alice smiled for the first time. “Now that you’ve motivated me, Troy, I think I’ll catch a plane to the North Pole instead of Dallas.”
“And miss out on all the fun getting the project back on track?” I interjected, while watching both Troy and Alice’s interest in turning the corner on the project’s problems. “The resumes might come in handy later on, but today you need to get motivated to get your project finished.”