Working Up

Working Up in Project Management, Systems Engineering, Technology, and Writing

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Entries from May 2020

Let’s Do Better

May 28th, 2020 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips Improving what and how we do things is a touchy subject. Approach it carefully. “I wish they would do better,” said the optimist. “They are awful at this,” said the disgusted. “Improve,” said the commander. And what other stereotypical comments can we make when we see someone do something poorly? First, what […]

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Tags: Change · Humility

Parnas’ Principles

May 25th, 2020 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips We review some fundamental concepts of programming and building things using any other technique. Now and then in conversations with well-learned and well-accomplished persons, I find that they lack in some of the basics I had the privilege to learn many years ago. It seems that we either forget these or never […]

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Tags: Education · General Systems Thinking · History · Learning · Systems · Trust

But What Did You Learn?

May 21st, 2020 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips Events occur constantly. Each is an opportunity to observe and learn and learn to observe ourselves. The title of this post is one of those questions that a person can ask another after any event on any day. It is personal as it is about the other person. I don’t care if […]

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Tags: Event · Learning · Observation

Picking the Adjectives

May 18th, 2020 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips The person who picks the adjectives have the power. I heard an idea. Is it a good idea? Is it a bad idea? The difference between “good” and “bad” is which adjective is attached to the noun. The person who chooses which adjective has the power. That person interpreted the idea in […]

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Tags: Analysis · Choose · Influence

Research or Reminders

May 14th, 2020 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips Sometimes research leads old guys to remember lessons from way back. Crisis helps us forget to our peril The other day at work, we were speaking with a thought leader in an area of technology. This person truly is an expert and a thought leader in the future of his area. The […]

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Tags: Adapting · Learning · Software · Technical Debt

I Want to Talking to You about Something

May 11th, 2020 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips Sometimes, I want to talk with another person about something. Is that what I really want? I have heard a concern expressed in many ways, including: We haven’t talked about this We need to talk about this sometime I want to talk about this I want to tell you something These are […]

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Tags: Communication · Conversation · Reaction · Talk · Uncategorized · Wishes

The Inefficiency Inherent in Remote Work

May 7th, 2020 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips Remote work has its efficiencies and time savers. It isn’t all efficient. There are parts that are wasteful. There are places where we multiply waste. Beware. Learn. Remote work saves a lot of time. Some of my colleagues spend several hours a day commuting. Working remote, as some of us have done […]

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Tags: Choose · Meetings · Remote Work

Behold the Wonder of the Lip (protruding edge)

May 4th, 2020 · No Comments

by Dwayne Phillips There are persons and things that we don’t notice much, but who keep everything working and everyone smiling. Please notice and appreciate. lip: noun, the edge of a hollow container or an opening. “drawing her finger around the lip of the cup” Behold the wonder of the lip, that protruding edge that […]

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Tags: Analysis · Concepts · General Systems Thinking · Humility · Listening · Notice