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You missed Steve Blank's point. My interpretation is he's simply advocating that if someone is aware of an issue that will set a project deadline back, don't k
by cj 10y ago
You missed Steve Blank's point.
My interpretation is he's simply advocating that if someone is aware of an issue that will set a project deadline back, don't keep it a secret and surprise everyone when the deadline isn't met.
Instead of "management by fear", build a culture where missing meeting deadlines is OK as long as a valid reason was communicated to the stake holders BEFORE the due date (no surprises). If a someone who's a project dependency had a family member pass away which will likely lead to a project delay, Blank is suggesting that's something that can be communicated honestly + transparently to a superior (and very much understandably - should be no fear involved). The upside is the superior can potentially reallocate resources to keep the project on track while not be getting caught off guard with a project unexpectedly derailed.
- rhizome 10y agoMy interpretation is he's simply advocating that if someone is aware of an issue that will set a project deadline back, don't keep it a secret and surprise everyone when the deadline isn't met. If this is his point, he's a lousy writer.
- valuearb 10y agoHe clearly stated this more than once.
- rhizome 10y agoThen why rely on interpretation?
- jstandard 10y agoIn reading the article I also had the same interpretation as cj. Blank is talking about acknowledging and dealing with risks early.
- joepvd 10y ago> Blank is talking about acknowledging and dealing with risks early. True that. He also mentioned firing people for not complying with his new rules several times. And also that he did. Those seem like the more substantive acts of his reign, as communicated in this post.
- jstandard 10y agoIt does seem harsh and it's possible that some part of employee obligations are done from fear. However, we don't know the exact circumstances behind the firings. I'm giving Steve the benefit of the doubt that he didn't fire folks who slipped deadlines just once, but removed though who consistently didn't deliver or acknowledge risks early. Effective policies need teeth. Particularly if your company is in a lean position (emerging from bankruptcy). It reminds me of the "War time CEO" chapter from Ben Horowitz's "The Hard Thing about Hard Things".
- davidgerard 10y agoI suggest this message: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13846800 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13846800 which sets out Steve Blank's behaviour in practice. He appears to work by making demands he doesn't understand.