Project Management – Can It Be That Hard?
Life Lesson – Stick To What You Know
When I started my modest renovation of a small bungalow, I thought it couldn’t be that difficult to organise the work required. After all, I have a lot of contacts, people to draw together who have the skills to undertake the work.
The first stage seemed easy, employ an architect. Surely after that, it cant be that hard.
I hadn’t factored into my thoughts the time it would take to manage the project. If I create a program of works, surely the people involved will stick to the schedule?
It was not a case that I knew better, but more that, it couldn’t be that difficult. How wrong could I be?
I started out with the build of my utility building, affectionately referred to as my ‘shed’. This project alone taught me that my knowledge of construction was spartan and that my level of patience with suppliers was short. It taught me that people do not actually know what they tell you they know, nor do they do what they tell you they will do.
Get the right people to do the job
As the weeks passed, I needed to enlist some help from more experienced individuals. Yet it remained a drain on my time and my energy to get the ‘shed’ finished and move onto the bungalow project itself.
Change of Focus
As I reflect on the journey of the last 18 months, I realise I was fortunate to have trusted contacts who referred me to the builder who became my main contractor, Clive Daniel. All along, from the initial quotes for groundwork, he has been there with experience, offering advice and understanding, explaining the route to resolve technical, logistical and aesthetic matters.
But, what if I had been fortunate enough to start right from the beginning of the project with Clive, able to use his recommendations from the first day? What if I had involved him at the very inception, used his tried and trusted services and knowledge, right back as far as the drawings?
My energy has been drained, my budget stretched and my stress levels increased, my eye diverted away from our business as my focus moved to the project at home, thankfully, our team and my business partner and amazing fabulous daughter were there to support me during my project.
However, would the project have cost less time, stress and money if I had with the right contractor from the start? Would I have been better concentrating my efforts on my own business?
What’s this got to do with IT?
Do Business Owners Know Best For Their IT Systems?
How many businesses think that they know better with regards their IT?
Do IT Projects Need Professional Advice?
Often owners don’t involve their IT provider with projects they have, they might move office and not think about cabling, power or central locations for cabinets. We have even known some businesses sign leases before realising there is literally no provision for Internet at a site and no planning for a resolution. Other business owners are tempted by a referral from a friend or networker only to find that the referral is not quite what they had been lead to believe. (After all, who needs IT support, or advice, it can’t be that hard to plan a business relocation?).
Does Managing IT Take Your Focus Away From Your Business?
How much time, energy and money do business owners waste by trying to cut corners, thinking they know enough about infrastructure or system resilience. Are you guilty of believing IT is easy, but end up costing yourself more in the long run or taking your focus away from your operations?
Now I am settled, I am focussing on our business – do you need professional advice on your IT Systems – Give me a call – Jacqui Offen, IT Director & part time builder 01227 371375
Interested in why planning is key? Read another Life Lesson Blog here
The first stage seemed easy, employ an architect. Surely after that, it cant be that hard!
As the project developed I needed to change by focus from trying to manage the project, to finding the right people to complete my vision for me!
Drawing Credit: AGI Architecture
Construction Credit: Clive Daniel, Daniel Building Solutions
