Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

If I cannot explain something with brevity and clarity, I am not ready to explain it.

Gosh, that summary is a killer. I am ready to explain something. I have this earth-changing wonderful great super-duper (note the lack of brevity and clarity) idea that the world needs to hear and implement just absolutely right now!!!

But, I am yet able to explain it clearly and briefly, like in one sentence of less than 20 words (and 20 words is a pretty darn long yawn-inducing sentence—and not again how that is neither brief nor clear).

I need to go back and consider my idea further. Brainstorming? Well, good. Brevity and Clarity still rule.

“We aren’t ready to explain this. Let’s use some brainstorming or other techniques to help
us understand what we want to explain.” That is a brief and clear statement of the present. Such serve us much better.

“But we don’t have time for this. We must move on now.”

That is an opinion. The lack of brevity and clarity are much closer to fact. Please, patience. The additional thought may serve us well.

by Dwayne Phillips

Take care lest we forget the purpose of an endeavor. It is easy to lose our way.

The numbers prove it (well, pretty much): these shoes from Nike help us to run more efficiently, i.e., same distance and speed, and more, with less energy consumed. Wow! I need these for my running! Right?

Well, let me not forget why I run (at my age an apt description is trot)—to burn calories and lose fat. Do I want efficiency? Do I want to burn fewer calories while running the same distance and speed? Uh, well, errrr no. Hence, these are the worst shoes in the world for me at this time with this purpose.

Please, let us remember what we are trying to accomplish. Let us remember our purpose for our current endeavor. Let us not lose our way and do something that accomplishes the opposite of our original goal.

by Dwayne Phillips

Another troubling thing recruiters often say.

Recruiter: Oh, so you’re interested in an oversight position as opposed to hands on.

Me: No, I am not looking for an oversight position. I really don’t understand what that is. Since it is your word, would you please explain it to me?

Recruiter: …silence…

Me: Hands On, I guess that means that I am doing something myself.

Recruiter: …silence continues…

Me: Let’s try an example: I sit in the corner in a series of meetings observing how persons in the meetings interact. I then analyze those observations with the observed outcomes of the overall group. I then explain to the organization’s managers why the outcomes are not what is desired and how the meeting interactions are logically leading to the not-desired outcomes. Then I explain how the persons may learn a different way of interacting with one another to move the outcomes toward the more-desired state.

Recruiter: Well, uh, does anyone ever really do that?

Me: Yes.

Recruiter: …terminal silence…

Is that oversight or hands on? I leave the answer to some recruiter somewhere who understands these terms better than I.

by Dwayne Phillips

When assessing a system, remember the correct order of tasks, and always remember that persons are involved in any system that matters.

When assessing a system, proceed to:

1. Observe
2. Learn
3. Converse

Please, do these tasks in this order. This is especially recommended when persons are part of that system, and persons are always a part of a system if that system is any good.

Proceeding out of order often leads me in the wrong direction. If I am lucky, I may discover my misdirection and correct course. That, however, is only by luck and fortune with having extra resources. That is rarely the case.

Patience.

by Dwayne Phillips

Computing is amazing. It does not, however, overcome basic physics.

The kids and their coach in Thailand were rescued from that cave. One rescuer died in the attempt.

Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat? They don’t overcome physics, gravity, water, oxygen, and those other pesky things.

Note how we quickly lose control when we venture out into that big blue room. (A term we used back in the day when computer programmers huddled endlessly in noisy, cold, computer centers. On some occasions we would venture “out of doors” with those huge blue walls and ceilings.)

Yes, we do amazing things with this computing technology. The rescuers in Thailand used a lot of this technology to affect the outcome. Still, gravity wins.

by Dwayne Phillips

Let’s not attribute to things that which belong to persons.

The sign on the door read,

This bathroom is out of order. Sorry! *MANAGEMENT*

Just a simple little sign, and they said they were “sorry.” Who, however, was “they.” The writer of the sign was “MANAGEMENT.” (yes, that was written all uppercase)

Pause. It is “managers” not “management.” Managers are persons with names and faces. Management is some thing—no name, no face, no person. The only thing I find worse than “management” is “senior management.” There are senior managers—persons with names.

Please, use your name. Please, refer to persons, not things.

“The computer crashed.” No, the software written by Mable and Maurice contained errors made by Mabel and Maurice that caused the machine to fail. Mabel and Maurice are trying to find and correct their mistakes. If you—another actual person with a name—can offer any helpful tips, Mabel and Maurice would appreciate that.

We could continue with more, everyday examples. This should suffice. Please, use your name, Please refer to persons, not things.

by Dwayne Phillips

Another fundamental to what we used to call “project management.” If you don’t have something like a basis of estimate…good luck. You will need it.

“We can have this done in so many days at such-and-such cost!”

“Really? Great. Oh, by the way, why do you think that?”

The answer is a basis of estimate. Okay, no one likes a term like “BASIS OF ESTIMATE.” That sounds too rigid or old fashioned or just plain mean. We need something nicer or more agile or something.

The basis of estimate or “this is why I think I can do this” doesn’t have to be painful to create. Are you Agile? This is the velocity on similar tasks. “This isn’t exact to five significant digits, but it is something. We will adjust our reason why as we practice and learn.”

Yes, we should have something other than, “You want it by Christmas? Yeah, I think we can do that.” Have something you can stick on the wall and say, “See that? That is why.”

by Dwayne Phillips

You can’t win a vomiting contest with a buzzard. The attempt will be harmful, too.

Buzzards are professionals when it comes to vomiting. They practice it daily. I can’t beat them at it. You can’t beat them at it.

The trouble is, we think you can. We are educated, smart, capable, and adaptable. We can apply the best processes, measure, adapt, adjust, and beat the buzzards at their own game. We will innovate.

This will be fun. We will show everyone what we can do. No matter what it is, we can do it better. And it might be fun for a while to try it.

Then one day we realize that we have been at this vomiting game a little too long. And then we realize that, well, it isn’t good. We are sick. We have hurt ourselves.

And what’s more, even if we win, we are the best vomit-er on planet earth. Wow! What does that trophy look like, anyways?

by Dwayne Phillips

Some persons use items to abuse others. This has been occurring since, well since a long time. Is there an answer?

I found this to be an interesting article on tech’s guilt in how some persons abuse other persons. Should all Microsoft employees feel guilty because the name-your-worst-bad-person uses Word and Outlook? Maybe the inventor of the microprocessor should be labeled EVIL. Do we go back to the Difference Engine or the inventor of the abacus?

Some persons use sticks to abuse other persons. Who invented the stick? I mean that person needs to be punished or vilified or something because their invention has been misused for ages.

Yes, some persons use things to abuse other persons. And there are some persons who use the same items to help others. It is possible to use the same item for good and for ill.

Well, let’s put an end to this. Quit your job with name-the-company-you-currently-vilify. Form you own technology company. Create a great item that lots of people want. Do not sell any of your items to anyone without first performing a detailed investigation of the character of possible customers. Only sell to those who will do good.

No, I couldn’t actually do this either. Perhaps someone could, but I doubt it.

by Dwayne Phillips

This is the anniversary of our declaring independence to be a nation on our own. Let’s be thankful. We do much good here and around the world.

Sure, the current President…or what is the prior President or the one before that or the won several times back or…I get confused sometimes as to which President was sooooo baaaad…is not upholding the ideals of our country. Not to worry. This is America. An election is coming soon and someone else will be the temporary office holder. George Washington set the precedent of the wisdom of doing nothing.

So maybe for one day, let’s all shake one another’s hand and say something good. We are pretty good.