Many in my industry place a lot of importance on the Processes. "Everything will fall apart without processes!" Egad! Maybe there is some truth to it. But, maybe the focus is misplaced?
What if heavy processes work with some teams, and light processes work best with others? I believe it is better to understand the people on the team and then craft a process set around that team. Going the other way of forcing processes on a team creates resentment and a view of pointlessness.
Imagine having one of the best teams money can buy in the software industry. The breadth of knowledge sitting in that work space represents your ability to influence these heavy hitters to join your team to do good things. So, why then do management teams seem to believe that heavy processes will make things better? Status meetings, status email, status update slide decks, weekly meetings, monthly meetings, blah blah blah.
Is this need to institute heavy processes part of a mid-life crisis? Was the Corvette or beach house not enough? Maybe take up origami or yoga instead?
Processes do have a place. No doubt they do. However, implementing a process unnecessarily only hinders productivity and quality products.
Or maybe management teams dream to one day be Dilbert's pointy haired boss and having the power to make crazy statements and proclamations?
I don't know. Maybe we can create a checklist to figure out the problem?
What do you think? Which is more important - People or processes? Why?
What if heavy processes work with some teams, and light processes work best with others? I believe it is better to understand the people on the team and then craft a process set around that team. Going the other way of forcing processes on a team creates resentment and a view of pointlessness.
Imagine having one of the best teams money can buy in the software industry. The breadth of knowledge sitting in that work space represents your ability to influence these heavy hitters to join your team to do good things. So, why then do management teams seem to believe that heavy processes will make things better? Status meetings, status email, status update slide decks, weekly meetings, monthly meetings, blah blah blah.
Is this need to institute heavy processes part of a mid-life crisis? Was the Corvette or beach house not enough? Maybe take up origami or yoga instead?
Processes do have a place. No doubt they do. However, implementing a process unnecessarily only hinders productivity and quality products.
Or maybe management teams dream to one day be Dilbert's pointy haired boss and having the power to make crazy statements and proclamations?
I don't know. Maybe we can create a checklist to figure out the problem?
What do you think? Which is more important - People or processes? Why?
