7 June 2007

Think outside the box

By Jim Pinto

Remember when new products took years to develop? That was the last century. We have now arrived in the Internet age where time is critical, and clearly a competitive weapon. Today, with accelerating technology, some products are obsolete within months. Move fast, or become history.

Project management today is not quite the same as it used to be in past decades. Budgets are tight; competition is fierce; and time frames demanding. And the penalties for failure are severe.

I recall a fundamental tenet preached by a technical guru I respect. His axiom: “Projects can be good, cheap, and fast—pick any two.” In today’s competitive environment, the prizes go to those who can deliver all three, without compromise.

You have probably heard the expression, “Think outside the box.” It relates to the puzzle that shows nine dots that you have to connect using only four straight lines, without any disconnect between the lines. Many people assume they are limited to stay within the box, and end up finding it impossible. But it’s easy … if you go “outside the box.”

Good project managers do not “assume” any limitations—budgets, people, time, distance. Many supposedly basic requirements can be changed, minimized, or even eliminated. You must consider every practical possibility, without sacrificing quality and performance.

I recall one consistently successful project manager who used free resources and excess inventory around the plant in ways that no one thought possible. He expanded time through working shifts around the clock. He was tough, but always fair with his people. They enjoyed working for him and competed to be on his team. They were proud to be on budget, on time, every time. To succeed, he simply went beyond normal hierarchical limits and conventional thinking—he operated “outside the box.”

The difference today is technology, which provides tools that are ever cheaper, faster, and more effective. There are new options and choices that make yesterday’s impossibilities possible. Real-time, networked scheduling software is available for projects that involve close cooperation between remote locations across multiple time zones. People have the ability to work simultaneously and seamlessly to meet critical schedules without sacrificing quality.

There is no trick to what I am pointing out—just plain, Internet age common sense.

In today’s fast-moving business environment, the companies that do not, or cannot, see the possibilities for new growth lose market share to those who can. People who recognize the opportunities will become the leaders of tomorrow.

Related links:

• Thinking outside the box:
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outside_the_box
• “Outside the Box”: The Inside Story
  http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/95/debunk.html
• Creative Thinking Techniques
  http://www.virtualsalt.com/crebook2.htm

Behind the byline

Jim Pinto is an industry analyst and founder of Action Instruments. You can e-mail him at jim@jimpinto.com or view his writings at www.JimPinto.com. Read the Table of Contents of his book, Pinto’s Points at www.jimpinto.com/writings/points.html.