6 Blind Men and the Project Manager
Below is a fable ‘Blind Men and an Elephant' adopted from American poet John Godfrey Saxe (1816-1887). It's a great example of how easy it is for us to close our minds and fill in the blanks with sweeping generalizations on Project Management. It is also a good warning about how out perceptions can lead to misinterpretations and misunderstandings.
Once upon a time there were six people
That were much inclined to learn,
That went to see a Project Manager
Though all of them were blind,
That each by observation
Might satisfy their minds.
The First approached the Project Manager,
And happening to fall
Against a broad and lengthy Gantt Chart,
At once began to cry:
"Oh my God! The Project Manager
Is very much a schedule manager!"
The Second, feeling the product requirements
Cried, "What have we here?
It is very thick and detailed
To me it is clear
This Project Manager
Is very much a scope manager!"
The Third approached this person,
And happening to take
The substantial docket of numbers,
And boldly spoke:
"I see the Project Manager
Is very much a cost manager!"
The Fourth reached out,
And felt the contract book.
"What this beast is most like
Is mighty plain," he said;
"It is clear enough the Project Manager
Is very much a risk manager!"
The Fifth who touched the product,
Said: "Even the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
No one can deny
This marvel of a Project Manager
Is very much quality manager!"
The Sixth soon begun
About the beast he heard,
A spoken word
That fell within his ear,
"I see," he replied, "the Project Manager
Is very much a communication manager!"
And so these wise people
Disputed loud and long,
Each with his own opinion
Very stiff and strong,
Though each was partly right,
But all were in the wrong!
Moral:
So often in debates,
People, I guess,
Apply utter ignorance
Of what each other means,
And talk about a Project Manager
Not one of them has seen!
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Project Management is both Art and Science
Peng Yong
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