#001 - A Simple Project Kick-Off Framework
Today's work models are skill focused. Project teams form a "temporary" cross-functional department and deliver an objective. Individuals on the team have multiple skillsets and domain expertise.
In my world, every task is a project. Small tasks are micro projects. Bigger tasks are broken into a project or a collection of projects. Heck, my life is broken into projects.
Personal projects around the house, health and relationships. Sometimes, my young adult children's projects become my projects. Then there are work projects.
Being effective at delivering work projects is a critical job skill today. The Boomer generation’s work was organized into departments. Projects were managed within the department and "presented" to other departments.
Today's work models are skill focused. Project teams form a "temporary" cross-functional department and deliver an objective. Individuals on the team have multiple skillsets and domain expertise. The team might be co-located or spread out across multiple time zones.
Every project begins with an objective. Watch the video below to introduce you to our use case.
In this use case, the objective is getting the stone from point A to B. How did they arrive at this solution? Let's try three simple questions.
1: What is known?
Consider the facts they knew to be true about the task. Facts can be backed up with clear evidence. If it can be debated it’s an opinion. A few examples for the use case;
The stone is too heavy for one person to lift.
Point B is downhill.
Gravity is a real thing.
Point B is not a straight line.
We have a saw, hammer, chisel, rope, two wheels and cord.
2: What can we test?
A test eliminates possibilities in the shortest amount of time. Carrying the rock was likely eliminated from previous experience. This is why it was considered a "fact" above. It had been previously tested and the result was a back injury.
Another fact from previous experience is the leverage a wheelbarrow brings to the problem. When tested it is learned that maneuvering a wheelbarrow, under load and down a slope is onerous and back-breaking, but, it works, and many would stop there.
3: What can we improve?
Let's assume we test the wheelbarrow solution and are successful. However, there are more observations;
The load is difficult to control.
The wheels slide on the loose ground instead of rolling.
It's slow.
There will always be room for incremental improvements. Sliding on separate footboards with the load was likely an incremental improvement. It also removed the need for the operator to "lift", sped up the work and allowed the "driver" to shift weight to assist with steering.
The Point 👇🏻
If you're looking for a way to initiate projects faster this simple framework is a good place to start. It doesn't require any fancy tools except paper, markers and a saw. 😉
Practice
If you think this is useful for your team then try this practice exercise you can download for free. Spoiler Alert: if you are going to do the exercise then do not share this post with your team. 😏