The flux phase
An update meeting. Scheduled by the date. Pretty similar to last time. Same ol’ dog and shire horse show. Plenty familiar, a little lumbering, a tiny…
Everybody wants what they want.
The first game is to get them to be specific – to agree a goal and a coherent set of features or functions or outputs or outcomes that absolutely-definitely will satisfy their desires. Some know from the start, some wait to be led, some just want you to take their problems away (however you do it). Getting definitive – or something close to it – can be the hardest part.
And then … mid-way … the flux phase – “maybe you could add x,” “what if we change y?” “how about putting it here rather than there?” – where what was settled moves out, and chrome and change move in.
And it doesn’t stop.
Remind them of the goals. Be pragmatic. Be explicit about changes, add time or subtract an equivalent effort, and always standing together in front of the schedule.
Skippy strategy: Be flexible, yes, and keep the process honest.
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Skippiness
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