Trudging on with the status quo

Sometimes we need to get out of our own way and rethink the way we do things. This applies to the systems and processes we use to manage projects. Sometimes the option is change or become irrelevant.

Trudging On With The Status Quo

A few weeks into my first job after college, a handful of us were invited by my boss to scout locations for an upcoming event for an important group of clients. As she described her vision for the selected spot on the scenic island and discussed the potential of it, my boss brushed and swatted at her pant legs in a failed attempt to appear in complete control of the moment. My colleagues exchanged awkward glances, but remained timidly silent – classic Emperor’s New Clothes syndrome. Apparently I was the only idiot to see the ants.

“Hey, Roberta,” I called out. “You’re standing on an anthill.”Ants carrying an elephant

She glared at me as she stepped off of the anthill, without missing a beat in describing her vision and how perfect the spot was. Now, I’m pretty sure Roberta did not deliberately step onto that anthill. Once aware, she downplayed it. Perhaps fearful that her status would be somehow diminished by acknowledging and reacting too quickly to her misstep. Whatever the psychology, she was bitten unnecessarily – and my invitation to the event mysteriously disappeared.

I have since witnessed too many metaphoric anthills to count: unnoticed or ignored inefficiencies that carry off hundreds of times their own weight in time, profits, and employee morale. And I think to myself ‘forget’ you, Roberta – just before I speak up.

An unfortunate fact of human nature is that we often avoid action to change our condition even in the face of evidence that change would improve our situation. The fear of loss of face or control is a powerful inhibitor of action to change our condition. There are also institutional inhibitors of change. It is a widespread misconception that in business, sins of commission (doing something) are punished more severely than sins of omission (doing nothing). Maybe you’ve heard or said, ‘This is how we’ve always done things.’ If the way you’ve always done things (status quo) relies on spreadsheets, information silos and email, ask yourself this: Would I choose the status quo, if it were not the status quo?

A few follow up questions may be helpful in framing your response:

  • Do I view the status quo as my only alternative?
  • Are my goals best served by the status quo?
  • Am I exaggerating the effort, cost, or emotional reaction to change?
  • Have I considered future situations in evaluating the status quo vs. the proposed change?
  • Do I view continuing the status quo as a safe and neutral act?

The decision to avoid or delay making a decision is not a neutral act. It is not always a safe act. It is rarely an act of leadership. Ralph, a kindred spirit and veteran Projects Manager for a major provider of oilfield services to the international oil and gas industry, recognized that when he reached out to me for help:

For several years now I have suggested to a succession of Directors and VP’s that our Enterprise Management System (EMS) is not the correct tool when it comes to management of projects, particularly larger projects. The tools available to Project Managers within the projects part of the business are a cobbled together set of cellular software packages that people have worked hard to get aligned over the years, and are understandably protective of. However – this is not a system and making it work after a fashion burns uncountable hours and the inefficiencies are legion. If we are to succeed going forward we absolutely must fix this.

Ralph had the character to challenge the status quo and to win; and his company is grateful to him for it.

Now ask yourself:

  • Is my organization reliant on spreadsheets, file servers, and email?
  • When would be the appropriate time to change that?
Yearly
Monthly
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
Essential
USD 995/mo x 12 USD 1295/mo USD 897 /moUSD 897 /moUSD 897 /mo
Full ProjecTools Software Suite and online implementation and training resources.
Full ProjecTools Software Suite and online implementation and training resources.
Full ProjecTools SoftwareSuite and onlineimplementation andtraining resources.
Full ProjecTools SoftwareSuite and onlineimplementation andtraining resources.
Full ProjecTools SoftwareSuite and onlineimplementation andtraining resources.
  • Unlimited Projects
    Unlimited Projects
  • 15 User Licenses
    15 User Licenses
  • Unlimited File Storage
    Unlimited File Storage
    1 TB File Storage
    1 TB File Storage
    1 TB File Storage
  • Unlimited Client User Licenses
    Unlimited Client User Licenses
  • Unlimited Supplier User Licenses
    Unlimited Supplier User Licenses
  • Unlimited Email/Phone Support
    Unlimited Email/Phone Support
  • Unlimited Online Chat Support
    Unlimited Online Chat Support
  • Online Training Center
    Online Training Center
  • Sixteen (16) hours of remote implementation and/or training during month one.
    Sixteen (16) hours of remote implementation and/or training during month one.
Popular
Popular
Advanced
Advanced
Essential
Essential
Essential
USD 1495/mo x 12 USD 1795/mo USD 897 /moUSD 897 /moUSD 897 /mo
Everything in the Essential Plan Plus Advanced Plan Features listed below.
Everything in the Essential Plan Plus Advanced Plan Features listed below.
Full ProjecTools SoftwareSuite and onlineimplementation andtraining resources.
Full ProjecTools SoftwareSuite and onlineimplementation andtraining resources.
Full ProjecTools SoftwareSuite and onlineimplementation andtraining resources.
  • Unlimited Projects
    Unlimited Projects
  • 25 User Licenses
    25 User Licenses
  • Unlimited File Storage
    Unlimited File Storage
    Adminstration
    Adminstration
    Adminstration
  • Unlimited Client User Licenses
    Unlimited Client User Licenses
  • Unlimited Supplier User Licenses
    Unlimited Supplier User Licenses
  • Unlimited Email/Phone Support
    Unlimited Email/Phone Support
  • Unlimited Online Chat Support
    Unlimited Online Chat Support
  • Online Training Center
    Online Training Center
  • Twenty-four (24) hours of remote implementation and/or training during month one.
    Twenty-four (24) hours of remote implementation and/or training during month one.
    1 TB File Storage
    1 TB File Storage
    1 TB File Storage
Professional
Professional
Essential
Essential
Essential
USD 1695/mo x 12 USD 1995/mo USD 897 /moUSD 897 /moUSD 897 /mo
Everything in the Essential Plan Plus Professional Plan Features listed below.
Everything in the Essential Plan Plus Professional Plan Features listed below.
Full ProjecTools SoftwareSuite and onlineimplementation andtraining resources.
Full ProjecTools SoftwareSuite and onlineimplementation andtraining resources.
Full ProjecTools SoftwareSuite and onlineimplementation andtraining resources.
  • Unlimited Projects
    Unlimited Projects
  • 50 User Licenses
    50 User Licenses
  • Unlimited File Storage
    Unlimited File Storage
  • Unlimited Client User Licenses
    Unlimited Client User Licenses
  • Unlimited Supplier User Licenses
    Unlimited Supplier User Licenses
  • Unlimited Email/Phone Support
    Unlimited Email/Phone Support
  • Unlimited Online Chat Support
    Unlimited Online Chat Support
  • Online Training Center
    Online Training Center
  • Forty (40) hours of remote or onsite implementation and/or training during month one.
    Forty (40) hours of remote or onsite implementation and/or training during month one.
    1 TB File Storage
    1 TB File Storage
    1 TB File Storage
Enterprise
Enterprise
Essential
Essential
Essential
Contact UsContact UsUSD 897 /moUSD 897 /moUSD 897 /mo
Get customized implementation, training and onboarding.
Get customized implementation, training and onboarding.
Full ProjecTools SoftwareSuite and onlineimplementation andtraining resources.
Full ProjecTools SoftwareSuite and onlineimplementation andtraining resources.
Full ProjecTools SoftwareSuite and onlineimplementation andtraining resources.
  • Get All Professional Features Plus:
    Get All Professional Features Plus:
  • check Named and Concurrent User Models
    check Named and Concurrent User Models
  • check Mobile Forms
    check Mobile Forms
    Redundant Servers indifferent AWSRegions
    Redundant Servers indifferent AWSRegions
    Redundant Servers indifferent AWSRegions
  • check Onboarding and Success Manager
    check Onboarding and Success Manager
    1 TB File Storage
    1 TB File Storage
    1 TB File Storage
  • check Professional Services
    check Professional Services
    Supplier Page
    Supplier Page
    Supplier Page
  • check Virtual Project Services
    check Virtual Project Services
    Home Page
    Home Page
    Home Page
  • check Additional Integrations Available: Primavera
    Documents
    Financial
    Procore
    Single Sign-On
    PowerBI
    Amazon QuickSight
    Custom
    check Additional Integrations Available: Primavera
    Documents
    Financial
    Procore
    Single Sign-On
    PowerBI
    Amazon QuickSight
    Custom
    Adminstration
    Adminstration
    Adminstration

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *