What We LikedFor clarity, author
Rex Conner provides some examples of fuzzy directions, fuzzy guidance and/or fuzzy
expectations such as:[9] - We
need more teamwork
- Be a self-starter
- Take some initiative
- Provide
world-class service
- Make better decisions ...
Editor's
Note: Have you spotted the fuzzy phrases? (Teamwork; self-starter; initiative;
world-class; better decisions and similar.) To this list you can probably add
most, if not all, project management so-called disciplines like: governance; program;
project; and project management. All of these are "subjective" unless defined
"objectively" so that there can be no misunderstanding of what is required. The
last three chapters of Rex's book cover:[10]
- How to: Create Just One People Performance System™
- How
to: Reduce Conflict to Retain High Quality People, and
- A Common Sense
Assessment Tool
These chapters provide actual examples of the application
of Rex's advice in tabular or graphic form, as applied to any professional health
system.[11] For example, a "Complete Job
Description" covering health care shows three columns covering Task List, Skill
List and Job Requirements respectively. There is also a Performance Analysis Flowchart.[12]
Developing standards, or references, such as these takes a lot of careful
thought and practical testing through live feedback. But if the outcome is more
efficient work and happier workers, the effort is well worthwhile. So in summary,
a key part of using objective language is to be to make sure you are describing
an outcome, and not a process, i.e. what it looks like — not
how to do it.[13] In our experience, this
is a very common failure. A feature that we enjoyed, in what could otherwise
be rather dry material, is the lavish use of DILBERT cartoon strips carefully
selected to emphasize the topic at hand. So get a copy and keep it handy for your
next project.
9.
Ibid, p8
10. Ibid, pp100-120
11.
Ibid, p104
12. Ibid, p109
13. Ibid,
p64
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Book Structure
