During the COVID shutdown, I made a quilt. A big patchwork quilt for my king-sized bed. Annoyed at the shutdown and sentence of solitary confinement, I decided to emerge from lockdown with something concrete. A giant undertaking, I ordered fabric for curbside pickup at Joann’s, cut it into thousands of pieces, and constructed a quilt with 195 patchwork blocks of old jeans and complementary fabrics. It is amazing! It is also the source of five tips for successful project implementation.
Tip #1: You don’t know what you don’t know
For the uninitiated (like me), only inexperienced quilt makers make king-sized quilts because they are such a gigantic undertaking. I had no clue. Although I love the quilt, if I knew then how much time it would really take, I’m sure I would have made a different choice.
This naivety happens in teams too. Understanding that we will never have perfect information about our choices in advance, we must make the best decision we can and then implement it. Studies show that the cost of no decision is typically more expensive than a delayed decision. So do the best you can to consider the options and then dive in!
Tip #2: Evaluate the price vs the payoff potential
Before buying the fabric, I did consider that I might abandon the project before completion. I quickly determined that the entertainment value of creating the design, choosing the fabric, and starting the process was well worth the sunk costs of the fabric, even without a tangible outcome. In this case, finishing the quilt is a delightful bonus.
Similar strategies can serve project teams. If the value of the potential outcome is greater than the cost of implementing (or the cost of a delayed decision) consider moving ahead. For example, one of my teams decided to place an order for a generator this week – before completing their analysis. If they later decide to cancel the order, they will be responsible for a $20,000 restocking fee. Although that amount is significant in some budgets, it is a rounding error in this hospital project. However, if they determine that they need it, this critical path item will be essential to facility operation and revenues. Consider the sunk costs, opportunity costs and risks vs benefits when making decisions.
Tip #3: Persistence pays off
OK, so I took on a massive project without understanding the time commitment. And I finished it in just under two years, working on it a lot some weeks, and just a little during other weeks. I kept at it, no matter what.
This approach also works for project teams. Sometimes progress is slow and barely visible. It can be hard to stay motivated and on task. If this happens, use the lens of Abraham Lincoln who said, “I walk slowly, but I never walk backward.” Consistent forward movement will eventually lead to completion. Refuse to stall, find your stamina (I prefer this term over stubbornness), work through the roadblocks and get ‘er done!
Tip #4: Be flexible
As I arranged my completed quilt blocks on the living room floor (the only location big enough to see it all) I realized that the completed dimensions would be too small. I revised the plan, created another 15 blocks from scratch, and integrated them into the design. The result is a quilt that covers both the bedding and the pillows!
When you get more information, evaluate it, revise the plan and make midcourse corrections. Adjusting the details to improve the outcome is expected. We have no perfect designs, no perfect implementation plan, and no perfect execution. Our job is to be observant and smart enough to make changes when appropriate. The goal is to have great sausage at the end, adjusting the recipe and technique as needed to get a tasty bite!
Tip #5: Finished is better than perfect
This quilt will win no awards. A slight disappointment given the fact that my grandmother won first-place awards at the county fair for her handiwork. However, I like it. It feels cozy and it keeps me warm. It works so much better than an unfinished project sitting in a closet. And, it’s done-done, allowing me to move on to the next project.
We all want to deliver quality. And, yet, for some tasks, perfect is much more than what is needed. I remember when I worked on one of the first light rail projects in the country, our contractors came from highway construction. We had to help them understand that the tolerances for turning radiuses matter more for rails than roads. Especially in construction, the definition of “perfect” can and should be aligned with the requirements.
Bonus tip – approach the project with joy.
Yup, it took a lot of time and consistent effort. Occasionally, it hurt my brain to figure out the next steps. However, most of the time when I was doing the work, I was in my happy place. And, I’m very proud to be using the quilt as the centerpiece of my bedroom décor.
Approach your tasks with joy. Remember that success includes both the physical work and the relationships that you build during the project. “Hard work” can be so much more than a chore – it can be fun, fulfilling, and personally enriching.
~ Cinda
Cinda Bond, MIPI, has been an OrgMetrics partnering facilitator for more than 10 years. She has facilitated more than 500 sessions for teams throughout the country. She also collaborates with engineering and construction teams to develop large documents containing hundreds of pages for construction contracts and proposals.
For more information please contact Cinda Bond, CindaBond@Orgmet.com / (925)640-9007 (cell), or OrgMetrics RobReaugh@Orgmet.com / (925)449-8300