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

22.2. The Team Wraps Up

I called my project teamtogether later that day to wrap things up, and to let themknow about the upcoming review. As had become our tradition, we met over donut holes and coffee at the Dunkin' Donuts.

"Review?" Sheila said. "Inquisition is more like it, don't you think?"

"Yeah," agreed Amanda. "I hate report cards. They're so impersonal."

Mark Goldman did his part to cheer everyone up. "Maybe California Water Sports is already taking market share."

"Actually, I've got some news about them," Leslie told us. We allturned toward her expectantly. "Apparently they were a little optimistic. It looks like theirWindSailor knock-off won't be on the market this season."

I forgot all about the review. "You're kidding. You mean we went to all that trouble and now they're not even going to introduce their product this year?" I was not sure whether to be happy or upset.

Leslie smiled. "Relax! We didn't spend that much more money. And anyway, we just found that out today, so there was nothing we could have done."

"What happened?" Amanda asked.

"Something about design problems they didn't discover until after they had installed their new production equipment.We're starting to get orders from their unhappy customers!" Leslie took a donut hole and toasted us all.

"I wonder if Al Burton is looking for another job," Sheila wondered out loud. She was still "temporarily" assigned to his position.

I tried to get things back in focus. "Folks, back to the review process. We can't ...