The very essence of life demands ACTION.
Action has direct consequences on lives. The whole earth is designed to follow specific and definite principles or laws as some may call it. Within these principles there may be dependencies or interdependencies, but nothing really gives way to the other for the sake of itself but for the sake of a larger objective – life.
It was thought impossible that man could ever fly. Several attempts were made to surmount this challenge and there were several failures until one day, the principles governing flight was discovered and applied. In flight there is no balance, gravity does not say “let me let ‘lift’ win a bit” nor does ‘lift’ say, “okay, I am happy today and feeling generous, let me let ‘gravity’ have a go today”. One gives way for the other always for the greater goal of flight. The planes are designed to apply the various laws at specific requirements for taking off, flight and landing. Each of the laws governing flight must be applied consistently and at specific measures at the different times required to achieve the objective of flight.
There are no emotions involved when these are in operation, because life is involved. What needs to be done has to be done and done effectively well for the greater good. Food isn’t served while taking off or landing, no matter how hungry anyone or everyone might be – there is a specific ‘window’ for this, and once that ‘window’ closes, that is it.
Discipline knows no balance: one is either disciplined or not, the results will always show. Athletes train consistently everyday persistently, no matter how they feel: what needs to be done has to be done to achieve the required results. This principle also applies to all areas of life.
When drastic actions are required, there is little or no joy in the process. When governments take seemingly drastic actions to safeguard the life of its citizens, it is for the greater good. When push comes to shove, there is nothing enjoyable about that, at least at that moment, but what needs to be done has to be done to ensure the best for the future.
In Information Technology (IT) projects, while all the angles are explored to achieve the outlined project objectives, stakeholders should be involved and engaged consistently across board. However, if the personal interests of certain individuals’ conflict with the overall objectives of the project goals, a choice has to be made for success or for failure. If this is not identified and explicitly or implicitly addressed, the project will fail. It is only a matter of ‘when’. Successful IT projects will always put the project goals first, then every other thing will fall in line. An organization’s vision and goal should transcend any single individual or group of people, if that organization is to thrive and exist through time.
It is almost impossible to balance IT project objectives with the emotions of persons who think otherwise of the project objectives, especially if these individuals are key to the success of the projects. This has to be resolved for the project to succeed. Steps should be taken to win these people over to get their full commitment on the project; this approach may take some time and increase project delivery timelines, but if this is the only option available it has to be done. The quicker way is to ‘ease’ these individuals off the project if possible. There are of course other ways to resolve this apart from the ones suggested here but whatever approach is taken, the key objective is to deliver a successful project.
Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.
–George Washington
Discipline within project teams will always and consistently deliver IT project objectives successfully and not ‘balance’.
What needs to be done has to be done.
