Count to 10 before sending the snotty email

[westernind]

If as a project manager you notice that there is a problem with a live content management application, and you come over to ask the lead developer to fix it, what do you think you should do next?
a. Let her get on with her job
b. Go back to your desk and meddle around trying to fix it yourself
Because you know what? If you choose b and set off a full publish while the developer is online to TechSupport and the consultant and making server configuration changes, it's not surprising that the application later spits out a load of java errors and falls over in a heap.

It is considered unwise to follow up your ill-considered meddling by sending an email round implying that the loss of service is due to the developers working on the live box. This is guaranted to piss off the aforesaid lead developer while she is trying to save your ass by fixing the problem before your visitors arrive for a live demo.

Today I am working from home. Because I can't spare the hour and a quarter needed to get into the office.

Comments

[forbinproject.livejournal.com]

keeel keeel!

[renniek.livejournal.com]

I was going to go with "stabby stabby stab stab stab", but the general gist is the same ;-)

[s0b.livejournal.com]

Last year, in my budget for 2005-2006, I had an entry almost hidden between Capital Expenditure (1.5 million) and New Software Licenses (15k). It was for £500 per quarter and as a result barely registered with our finance team.

The item in question was for "Hired Goons (external consultants)"

Ok, there have been some complaints about the spate of sack beatings that have taken place in the car park in the last 10 months, but I have found that it keeps people polite.

In your place I suspect I would be raising a PO and on the phone to "Ron the Hammer &Co. - business decision facilitators since 1978" sharpish.

[westernind.livejournal.com]

A smile has transformed my stormy countenance.

[jayphoenix.livejournal.com]

Speaking as a project manager I most definitely would always do a) not just because it is the polite/right thing to do but I always find that people who are being paid to be lead developers actually know what they are doing ... which is much more than most project managers :o)

[binidj.livejournal.com]

As long as you make absolutely certain that people are aware that it wasn't a Dev Team mistake all will be well. Let the Project Manager get away with spouting accusatiry nonsense and she will be believed. Nip it in the bud.

I'd go for explaining what caused the cock-up whilst very obviously not naming names.

[oldnick.livejournal.com]

"Today I am working at home. Because I do not wish to put the project manager's head through the front of their monitor" ?

This sounds like one of those cases where audit requirements should require separation of duty, 'unfortunately' preventing the project manager who raises the issue from being able to aceess the internals of the system.

[misthawk.livejournal.com]

Tea, Dear?

*brings in steaming pot and cups*

Perhaps a large slice of cake?

*produces a choc-a-holic's dream*

Thinking of you....x

[paulbenwell.livejournal.com]

Perhaps you shoudl serve the Project Manager "pudding"!

[westernind.livejournal.com]

Ho yes. *meaningful look*