From 77b2e41337c7c1419a23d8dbd543b521d9684331 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Harry Percival Date: Thu, 29 Aug 2024 12:10:57 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] change wording in project triangle analogy the problem is that quality doesn't go in the same direction as the other two variables -- you typically wish your project had more quality but took less time and less money. so an example, if I attempt to "shorten" the amount of time for my project, i do *not* expect that this will "lengthen" the quality of my project, much the opposite. so i propose talking about "improving" and "worsening" instead, which i think ppl will understand as changes in the "correct" direction... --- wisdom.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/wisdom.md b/wisdom.md index 159316b..34348e5 100644 --- a/wisdom.md +++ b/wisdom.md @@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ Brief introductory remarks regarding the Project: ---- -- Every project is a triangle made of time, money, and quality; shortening the length of one side necessarily lengthens one or—more often—*both* of the other sides. +- Every project is a triangle made of time, money, and quality; trying to improve one side necessarily worsens one or—more often—*both* of the other sides. - Less well known is that we each tend to blow it hardest in estimating the sides of the triangle we least understand or respect. - Kindly note that the grave existential truth of the Project Management Triangle is *non-negotiable*. People **hate** this. Which is normal. - If the person with whom you are negotiating finds it difficult to provide a decisive budget estimate for their project, ask them to try and situate it between two orders of magnitude. As in, "How many zeroes are we talking about here?" Quickly discovering that your ballpark figures are 2 to 6 zeroes apart can save you both a *lot* of time and frustration.