Why do we do what we do? Are our industry’s best practices really that, or do we merely say they are because as a PM we are expected to say so?

Jon Whitty from University of Southern Queensland creates fascinating articles and lectures around this theme by looking at this topic from a evolutionary behavior perspective.

In his presentation “The Private Life of Project Managers” a lot of his topics come together. This is really the best introduction to the topic I have ever seen!

What makes up our “Project Management” culture? The rituals, the icons, even the hand gestures!
What impact has this on the way we do our job?

This is really a must-see video.

If you want to start with a shorter video, you might have a look at “The Peacock and The Project Manager“:

“The point is made that Gantt charts have been adapted by project managers to serve as a cue or advertisement for their skills and abilities, and this aids their chances in being selected for the next big project manager role.”

Bas de Baar helps people find ways to enjoy the diversity of human interaction in their organizations so that they can get out of their own way and achieve their goals. - ‪The Private Life of Project Managers‬. is a post from: Project Shrink.

That’s why I want to draw your attention to a discussion that takes place in the comments of my blog.

Wil points to a live audio and PowerPoint recording of a presentation given by Jon Whitty at the University of Queensland. In 20 minutes he outlines the concepts surrounding projects as complex systems.

This is a must see.

Stuff To Read

After viewing this video, you might be left with a sense of “but what does this mean?” I recommend that you read immediately afterward:

Black Swan: The Link Between Mind, Complexity And Resilience
Importance of recognizing the difference between Gaussian or Fattail distributions.
Go To The Spike And Become Adaptive
About hubs, human network and why the “rich get ritcher”.
Project Management Code: Why Do You Do What You Do?
Are our industry’s best practices really that, or do we merely say they are because as a PM we are expected to say so? The article that triggered the comments from Wil.

This will provide you with a glimpse of the whole picture. That’s just because no one has the entire picture yet.

As Wil puts it:

“… it’s like watching star wars 4 and 5. I have a sense that he’s got episodes 6 and 1, 2, and 3, up his sleeve somewhere, or at least know what they should be about.”

Bas de Baar helps people find ways to enjoy the diversity of human interaction in their organizations so that they can get out of their own way and achieve their goals. - Explaining Complex Systems: Like Watching Star Wars 4 is a post from: Project Shrink.

• In the opening minutes he demonstrates that we fear the judgment of our peers, and therefor are embarrassed to show our ideas (perhaps, that is why every PM does exactly the same thing over and over again).
• He talks about how the workplace and the culture of the company can enhance creativity and with that bring the team towards creating great solutions.
• And a special note for all you software people out there: check around 15:00: the importance of prototyping and feedback to end users!

Bas de Baar helps people find ways to enjoy the diversity of human interaction in their organizations so that they can get out of their own way and achieve their goals. - Relationship Between Creative Thinking And Play is a post from: Project Shrink.

I am actually curious how people from India or China look upon this presentation… You must have been aware… you must have known this for ages … or not?

Love to hear your point of view …

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Bas de Baar helps people find ways to enjoy the diversity of human interaction in their organizations so that they can get out of their own way and achieve their goals. - Shift Happens: India And China Are Booming. They Must Have Known. is a post from: Project Shrink.