Good, Fast and Cheap: Tell Me Which Two of the Three You Want...
January 26, 2011
Short thought today - but a meaningful one. If you're in the depths of depression regarding the expectations on you or your team and don't think the expectations are fair, ask yourself the following question:
"Are the expectations on me or my team related to delivering quality, speed and affordability, or two out of the three factors?"
It's the classic project management triangle of constraints. You can have it good and cheap (which means it will take longer/be slow), good and fast (which means it won't be cheap) or cheap and fast (which means it won't be as good as other projects/'performance/results).
Some proposed related examples from the real world:
- College: Work, Sleep, Play – Pick two.
- Men: Handsome, High-Earner, Faithful – Pick two.
- Women: Single, Sane, Sexy, Smart – Pick any three. (also called The four S's of dating)
- Operating System: Fast, Efficient, Stable - Choose two.
- Bicycle Parts: Strong, Light, Cheap - Pick any two.
- Opensource Software Development: Speed/Time, Inclusiveness/Openness, Quality
- Schedule, Scope, Resources – Pick two.
- Nation's populace: Ignorant, Free, Civil - Pick two
So, if you think you're being held to unrealistic expectations at work, break down your triangle to see if you're being held accountable for quality, speed and affordability.
If you're being held accountable for two out of three: shut up and deliver. If you're being held accountable for all three, you've got a choice: either be a victim or re-frame the expectations by engaging who you work for. WARNING: Expectations may be evaluated differently by different humans. Wear a helmet.
PS: Hit me with your triangle examples from the real world while you're at it...
Benefits communications: need to know, nice to know, benefit geek (pick two)
Posted by: Elizabeth Borton | January 26, 2011 at 08:54 AM
Here's a few real world examples...
Hotel Accommodations: location, price, safety (pick two)
Car Purchase: price, reliability, safety (pick two)
Posted by: Seth McColley | January 26, 2011 at 11:32 PM
He is fond of worldly enjoyments.
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