What
Project Management and Cycling Have in Common
Developing software systems can be an all-consuming
job for project managers. There are other activities we do and love. We
are parents, we race cars, we climb mountains, we are Big Brothers and
Big Sisters, and we are part of church communities. One of my hobbies is
climbing hills on my bicycle in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
For those of you who have not subjected themselves
to the thrills of climbing a hill, you may not know that there are times
when your body and mind separate. Your legs keep pedaling and your mind
begins to soar.
On one of these occasions, I started drawing parallels
between my thoughts, my attitude and my behavior as a project manager and
climbing hills on my bicycle.
The things we do for pleasure
in our everyday life can teach us valuable lessons about project management.
Going on a Ride
This time I tried to squeeze a bike ride into
an already busy schedule. I wanted to get some exercise. I also had to
be back at a specific hour, and of course I started out late. Given my
objectives I picked a familiar route that I can finish in 45 minutes.
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My estimate was based on what I had done
in the past, the sunny weather and the calm wind. Though I had not met
this goal this year, I felt that I was in good enough shape and ready to
complete the ride in 45 minutes. I also was quite aware that I had left
no contingencies. Barely leaving on time to make it back I had to stay
focused on my pace. This is especially important for the flat stretches
where I have the tendency to slack off. Flat tires were out of the
question. I know the route very well. All along on my way up the hill I
measured my progress, looking at my watch. How am I doing? Do I need to
pedal harder? When I arrived at the top, I knew that the hardest part was
over. This was an important point to take another measurement. Looking
at my watch it told me: You are doing better than expected, you can relax.
Maintaining my focus, I made it home on time.
The moral of the story is that even bike rides
come with deadlines. No matter what you set out to do, assessing the situation
and being clear about your objectives is essential for selecting
the route. Knowledge from past experience lets you set realistic
performance goals. The more you know about the route, the better
off you are. With this knowledge and constant feedback on progress
and performance, you increase your chances
for achieving your objectives.
Assessing the Situation and Setting
Objectives
Before I head out on my bicycle, I always assess
my situation and think about my objectives. If it is the beginning of the
season, I probably have not had enough training to tackle a difficult hill.
Sometimes I set more challenging goals. I feel poised for success, my body
is exuberant, and my mind is ready for the challenge.
The situation and the goal go hand in hand. Sometimes
I am just looking for some exercise. Then there are times when I want to
achieve a personal goal. Other times, riding my bicycle means spending
a pleasant time with friends and enjoying nature. What means success depends
on the particular situation and the objectives at hand.
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PROJECT PRESS