Remember Duke Nukem, the 90′s video game? How about the very successful Duke Nukem 3D?  It was groundbreaking, changing the expectations for ‘vitual violence’ forever. True fans were on the edge of their seats for years waiting for the sequel, Duke Nukem Forever. Forever is right .. no game, likely  forever.What happened? You can read the entire story in a recent Wired Magazine, January 2010 issue titled, “Learn to Let Go: How Success Killed Duke Nukem“

This is a great case study in what happens when when there is a lack of design constraints, poor discipline and no deadlines. The reality is that successful project management requires some of each.  In the end, you have to have customers and this requires a product and service.

Project planning, including initial specifications, are the foundation of a successful project. Many project teams bypass this part of the project so they can ‘jump into the design quickly’. Listen, the initial investment will pay dividends throughout the project. The plan is the road map that is used throughout the project to track progress. It also helps in building accountability. Specifications serve to keep the team focused. Along the way, avoid creeping elegance, stay focused.

Just a couple thoughts on project management. Your thoughts welcome!

Rick

Photo credit: multisanti

Over my career, I have worked on a number of project teams and managed many project from concept to customer. I have observed even more projects from the seat of a stakeholder and manager. At some point, I will share a number of keys to successful project management. Today, I want to share a video that demonstrates one of the key reason projects fail – creeping elegance.

I have seen teams fall into this trap many times. It can happen to teams with very experienced leaders as well as rookies. It occurs at varies times during projects. Even teams with very well defined objectives fall into this trap. It often it happens after developing detailed specifications. What happens? The team ‘discovers’ a number of opportunities to ‘improve’ the design. By the time they realize what has happened, cost have spiraled out of control and the scheduled launch has become an impossibility.

While reading a few blogs today, I ran across a video on Seth Godin’s blog. I think this video demonstrates creeping elegance – so I thought I would share it.