7 ms·
I take it one further. "Okay, let's sit down together and write out a story that fully defines what you're asking me to do". Half the time they won't bother. -
by lostcolony 5y ago
I take it one further. "Okay, let's sit down together and write out a story that fully defines what you're asking me to do".
Half the time they won't bother. -Your- effort is free, but -their- effort has a cost.
The other half of the time they will, because they care about it, and so it goes into the backlog, and they get to see what stuff takes precedence (and it's a legitimately good faith effort on my part to see it ranked appropriately, and that they feel informed as to what is coming ahead of it and why).
- kfarr 5y agoAbsolutely, I love this technique when the ask is clearly more complicated than they realize. I say let's schedule an hour to write out a spec, my calendar is open. Similar technique is to say yes I can do that but let's do it together on a screen share call and you can guide me through it. It's always a positive outcome -- either they withdraw the request or we collaborate positively together to make it happen and appropriately prioritize.
- ianmcgowan 5y agoAka "The Wally Reflector". https://dilbert.com/strip/2005-07-10 https://dilbert.com/strip/2005-07-10 Even a small task is usually enough to filter out requests where the requestor is basically trying to move a task from their list to your list..
- muttled 5y agoCareful about saying yes early on, though. Even if they disappear, that won't stop them from telling everyone else that it's now your job.
- lostcolony 5y agoNothing stops them from telling others that regardless of what you say. You just make sure that all communication is properly caveated so you have something to point to should it all hit the fan.