The Blind Men and the Projects Modified by Aparna Ganesh PMPÂŽ With due apologies to John Godfrey Saxe (1816-1887), the Six men, and of course, the Indian Elephant
It was four men of knowledge, to managing much inclined, Who went to (re)view the Project (Though all of them were blind), That each by observation Might satisfy his mind. The First approached the project, And happening to fall Against his broad and sturdy side, At once began to bawl: "God bless me! but the Project Is solid like a WALL! Why do you at all need a conference call? " The Second, feeling of the desk, Cried, "Ho, what have we here, So very round and smooth and sharp? To me 'tis mighty clear This wonder of a project Is very much at a peak! So, dear men, first applaud yourselves, and then let’s speak!!" The Third approached the specimen, And happening to take The squirming trend (chart) within his hands, Thus boldly up and spake: "I see," quoth he, "the Project Is very like a SNAKE! Ah! Better an antidote with thou you take!"
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The Fourth reached out an eager hand, And felt about the schedules "What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plain," he rules: "'Tis clear enough the project Is spread like a TREE! So, bill the client hard and go on an expanding spree!"
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And so these men of knowledge Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion Exceeding stiff and strong, Though each was partly in the right, And all were in the wrong! And so, oft in meetings, The participants convene, To Rail on in utter ignorance of what each other mean, And prate about a Project Not one of them has seen! About Author
Aparna Ganesh has 13 years of rich and diverse experience in Quality management, Project Management and Quality consulting. Starting her career with Tata Consultancy Services, as a Project Manager, moved on to Quality Consulting and got CSQA certified. She has implemented TL9000 and CMMi practices Quality Manager for complete Networks Business in Sasken Communications Technologies. That was the first TL9000 implementation on a PAN India basis. A certified PMP, and a Green Belt Holder, she is passionate in Six Sigma philosophy, and believes in data and statistical analysis for business process improvements. As Quality Manager for Customer Operations in Nokia Siemens Networks, she has been leading Customer Delight Initiatives through insight driven improvements in quality of Products and Services. She is an avid quizzer and a singer.
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