Making It Happen: A Non-Technical Guide to Project Management

22.1. Another Assignment?

"I'll talk to Ralph," Stu promised me. "I think he'll be interested. He loves everything you do these days, Will."

I was sitting in Stu's office, telling him about my recommendations for a formal project review. Thanks to my talk with Martha, I had decided that maybe my job description did include a little project management improvement.

Stu continued. "The Hyler board met again last night in New York. Ralph flew in to give them an update on the WindSailor and I guess they were fairly happy with how things are going, even if we aren't going tomeet our projected return on investment." The advent of competition was expected to reduce the assignment's projected ROI. It was still healthy enough. And that, combined with the benefit of continuing to position Hyler on the cutting edge of the smallcraft sailing world, meant everyone was pleased about the decision to pursue it.

"Ralph did mention something that he wanted me to discuss with you, Will. We both agree that you managed this assignment, both assignments really, in a different way. I know that you've been telling your project team that you've been using an outside consultant, but I also know that you haven't spent any money on consulting fees."

"Well, um," I started to explain, but Stu held up his hand.

"I understand the trick. Sometimes if you want to introduce a new idea it's easier to say it was someone else's. I've done it myself. But I think you're on to something here, and we want to start managing ...