Choice is a powerful thing

Judges.  They are all around us and we are also one.

We might like to think that we can affect, influence, and even control all of the stuff around us--and we can to a large part--but sometimes we can't have as much control and influence as we'd ultimately prefer.

Decisions start and stop all things.  Decisions can come from within us or outside of us.  In this way, there are two competing forces: us and them.  Everything boils down to decisions and it is decisions that are the things that are affecting and creating the workflows, processes, and policies that surround us.  Decisions are the things that ultimately set our course of action in life.

When a leader or person in a powerful position above us or in relation to our project makes a decision, all things are put into motion and dependent upon that decision or opinion.  As project managers we have to be very aware of the decisions and opinions being made around us and make our own decisions of how we'd like to react given them. 

There are several ways we can decide to treat these decisions and opinions being made around us: A) we can work in compliance and agreement with them, B) we can work around or be ignorant to them, or C) we can directly against and in combat of that decision. 

Working in compliance and agreement of the decisions is the preferred--don't rock the boat--way of doing things.  It's the easiest and probably the most effective.

Working around or ignoring decisions is another form of compliance but it is a bit more subversive.  It is passive-aggressive to know but not necessary heed the decision.

The third type of behavior in relationship with respect to a decision is total war against that decision.  When we get into this mode, we do not agree with the decision and will do everything in our power to fight or change it.

We all want control and on a day by day basis we make our own decisions about the decisions and opinions that are taking place around us and set our own path in the maze.

The Ideal Enterprise

What does the "ideal" enterprise look like and how does it behave? A few components:

1. Role-based everything - The organization knows what Jobs it has and what roles are played in its processes.
   
2. Process Management - The organization knows what its key high-level processes are and how they interact. This is essential for control.
   
3. Project Management Office - The organization knows what projects it is currently working on, their status, and the tools they're using. This helps manage change and progress.
   
4. Tools known, supported, and described - The tools (IT systems) that the organization uses are known and their uses transparent. There are sufficient resources to support them, add new users to them (training), and improve them.

Having all of these things helps the organization control and improve itself.