PSM #18: Time to Regroup
We find often in management that we must regroup. This is particularly true of projects that linger on. Projects with no apparent end in sight consume resources and energy needlessly and will eventually affect our reputations. We must deal with these projects quickly and decisively.
Projects linger on for several reasons.
- The problem the project was initiated to address has changed or disappeared.
- The environment in which the project was constructed no longer exists.
- The support needed to complete the project has disappeared.
- You can fill in other reasons that you have seen in your career.
Projects that have to justify themselves continually are doomed to failure. It is better for us to recognize this, kill the project off, and re-evaluate the situation and the requirements the project originally set out to address. We may find that a change in scope, in direction, the identification of a new customer or a new champion for initiative may take a failing project and make for a successful one when it is redefined and restarted.
I am critically evaluating this podcast in the same manner. I will lay out the data.
- podcast alley currently ranks this podcast at 1787. Normally it is ranked below 1000. I have 23 total votes there.
- In the business section is it currently ranked 39th. Normally it is in the top 20.
- According to feedburner, there are 167 subscribers.
- 1076 people have viewed the www.plainsimplemanagement.com website. During the last 7 days 26 people [or agents] have visited.
- in iTunes the podcast is ranked at about 290 in the business section in terms of relevance. No one has commented on the podcast series in iTunes.
I conclude from this data that I am not providing significant value to you, the listening audience. The data suggests that this project is languishing.
So I need feedback.
- I need your comments. You may go to www.plainsimplemanagement.com and leave comments on this post. You may leave comments on podcast alley, the linkage to do so is on my website, and/or you may send email, the address link is on the web site. I need you to tell me what you want this podcast to do for you in the coming months.
- I need your vote on podcast alley each month. The counters are reset each month so you must vote each month if you wish to validate this podcast as valuable to you.
- Over 95% of the subscriptions to this podcast occur thru iTunes. I personally think that I am more relevant in business that several of the ~290 podcasts that appear in the list as more relevant. If you think so too, please enter a review there.
Please provide your feedback using one or more of the paths I mentioned and let me know what direction this podcast needs to go to serve you.
The linkage to the podcast is here.
Craig @ August 23, 2006