Projects Input-Process-Output
Input-Process-Output. These are the basic functions of a computer. Data must be feed into the computer (input), which is then analyzed and reorganized (process), and then it is displayed or printed (output). To manage a project you need to do very similar steps.
Any project you are doing will have an end-user. They may be called something else such as client, consumer or boss. For a small project, you may have only one end-user. Large projects may ultimately have millions of end-users. At all stages of the project keep in touch with them. Too many projects fail because the end-user had input at the beginning and then not again until the project was finished. In a perfect world the end-user knows exactly what they want, what you are able to deliver and they are able to articulate everything clearly. In the real world things change! Rapidly!
The best way to handle this is to use an iterative approach. As you complete any part of the project that can be seen or felt, get the end-user involved. In the early years of my career, I was involved with a project that could not get off the ground. The project manager and his programming staff (including me) met with the end-users over and over again. All that was produced was paper, lots of it. Finally, I spent a couple hours and put some sample screens together. Everyone said they were horrible, not what they wanted at all, but it gave the end-users something they could see. Meetings became productive. The input from the end-users became meaningful to the product developers.
There are over six billion people in the world. Many have ideas that you can use. When working on the actual design of the project (process) keep your eyes and ears open. For example after listening intently to a symphony, I changed my software so it would flow as smoothly as the music. Everyone knows they must build a depth of knowledge in the specifics of the project, but we must also constantly expand the breadth of knowledge. Spend time on education. Learn more in your field and other fields. The broader your base of knowledge the better decisions you can make in your specialty.
One sign of maturity is when the individual realizes that not everything is black and white. Other opinions and views are not wrong simply because they are not the same as yours. There may be several valid solutions to the same problem.
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