From a recent Tipoffs article:
I am a great believer in a “change being as good as a rest” and found myself at Lean and Agile Project Management Industry workshop run as part of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC) annual conference. The aim of the day was for leading researchers and practitioners to share their knowledge and experiences.
The day was very well organised and allowed the opportunity to network, which is a key attraction for me. The presentations were strictly time managed and with only half an hour for each the pace was enough to enjoy without getting bored. All the presenters were or had been practicing management professionals and brought this experience to their presentations.
Lean and Agile have been around for a few years now but it was refreshing to hear how this has developed and applied within what is perceived to be one of the most change resistant industries. Leading edge is perhaps a misunderstood term with some people associating this with blue sky thinking. In reality the presenters talked common sense, with one suggesting that initiatives such as TQM/Six Sigma/Lean etc shared many of the key ideas and tools with the difference coming in how to implement a sustainable change.
One of the key ideas shared by the presenters is that copying what you see of a good idea rarely works. To truly succeed you have to dig below the surface to identify the underlying philosophy and values. Understanding and applying these takes significantly longer and is investment few are willing to make. Fundamentally the message as always is to find out what you need to be good at and put the right level of effort into it.
For me the discussion and presentations were not limited to the construction sector but could be applied to any project with a little effort. Okay the returns may not be as great but for me it is still worth considering. The real benefit to me was an opportunity to open my mind and allow me to think about some other ideas which I am now moving forward. The inspiration of those around me sparked related ideas and reinforced that I should not be limited by current environment and constraints.
What does this mean for Arras People? How will this improve our service offer? Well you will have to wait for that one but rest assured we will continue to change people’s perceptions as to how Project Management recruitment should be conducted.
My favourite quotes of the day:
“Procurement is as difficult or simple as you want to make it”
Sir Howard Bernstein (CEO Manchester City Council)
“Perfect is the enemy of good enough”
Anon
