Ten Project Haiku

by

Ten separate haiku contemplating the lives of projects and of the people who work on them.

I

Our project was late,
    so we added more people.
The problem got worse.
II

When requirements changed,
    the schedule did not — were we
headed for trouble?
III

We were doing fine,
    'til they reduced the budget.
Now we're overspent.
IV

We think about risks.
    We have contingency plans.
Oops…but not for that.
V

I gave estimates.
    They cut all of them in half.
Next time I'll pad them.
VI

We can't get it right
    and still come in on schedule.
Why can't we do both?
VII

We hired consultants
    who told us how to fix things.
They don't understand.
VIII

There is no more time,
    but the work is unfinished.
Take more time from Test.
IX

The module failed Test,
    so first we changed all the Tests.
Now the requirements.
X

If a project fails
    but we keep working on it,
Has it really failed?
  Go to top  Top
Reprinting this article

Are you a writer, editor or publisher on deadline? Are you looking for an article that will get people talking and get compliments flying your way? You can have 500-1000 words in your inbox in one hour. License any article from this Web site. More info

Follow Rick

Send email or subscribe to one of my newsletters Follow me at LinkedIn Follow me at X, or share a tweet Subscribe to RSS feeds Subscribe to RSS feeds
Support Point Lookout
The message of Point Lookout is unique. Help get the message out. Please donate to help keep Point Lookout available for free to everyone.
Check Out My Blog!
Technical Debt for Policymakers BlogMy blog, Technical Debt for Policymakers, offers resources, insights, and conversations of interest to policymakers who are concerned with managing technical debt within their organizations. Get the millstone of technical debt off the neck of your organization!
Support
Point Lookout by
starting your Amazon search here
When you start here, a part of every purchase you make goes to support Point Lookout, at no cost to you.
Search Now:
Amazon Logo
Especially for Leaders
52 Tips for Leaders of Project-Oriented OrganizationsAre your project teams plagued by turnover, burnout, and high defect rates? Turn your culture around.
Love the Work But Not the Job?
Go For It: Sometimes It's Easier If You RunBad boss, long commute, troubling ethical questions, hateful colleague? Learn what we can do when we love the work but not the job.
Full list of my publications
Ebooks, booklets and tip books on project management, conflict, writing email, effective meetings and more.
Catalog of Services
If your teams don't yet consistently achieve state-of-the-art teamwork, check out this catalog. Help is just a few clicks/taps away!