Project Management: Apollo 13

We are laying low this weekend. Apart from a barbecue at some good friends house, we have been kept largely in-doors as our 7 month old has come down with a mild case of rubella. I've been working and (blogging for breaks), getting things organised.

We "kick-start" our Project to migrate our accounting platforms on Monday week, so there is much to do, logistically and contractually speaking over the course of this week.

I have also been watching one of my favoutite movies, "Apollo 13" for inspiration, as I have done many times before.

[I am always inspired by the achievements of NASA, and was overwhelmed with awe when we had the opportunity to visit Cape Kennedy exactly two years ago. It is the epitome of Project Mangement - Vision, a technical solution, a diverse group of people who possess different skills all working as a team to achieve a common objective.]

Back to Appollo 13, I admire the character played by Ed Harris who played the Mission Controller, 'Ed Kranz'. Always dignified under pressure, and not necessarily a technical person but knows just enough to get the right stuff done through the right people.

I'm fairly new to the "People Thing" myself, but I'm fast learning that there are only very few technical issues that can't be solved in "Project World" - but there is always a technical solution. The only real issues are 'People issues'.

We are currently going through the 'forming stage' of the Project. Its becoming routine ('as sure as the sun rises, the theory always manifests in practice) - but every time it is sightly different.

Naturally, people are unsure of their roles are and how they wll fit in and be seen by Me or the team. Insecurity, grievances unfamiliarity are all a bomb waiting to explode. But inevitably, as soon as we get some early wins on the board, give credit where it is due, celebrate a successful milestone or two, the team settles down and works as a team should.

Got to admit, despite the headaches from time to time, I love what I do. That's the nature and beauty of vocation.