Johanna Rothman, a management guru and prolific author, shares her expertise on project budgeting. She emphasizes the power of storytelling to secure budgets instead of conventional persuasion. The discussion covers the importance of investing in developer training to enhance software quality and customer satisfaction. Collaborative innovation is highlighted as a key to overcoming constraints, advocating for a shift from individual rewards to team-based successes. Rothman also encourages community engagement in team management, presenting valuable resources for listeners.
Persuading stakeholders for project budgets is more effective through compelling business stories that connect investments to tangible outcomes like defect reduction.
Fostering innovation within resource constraints can lead to creative problem-solving, ultimately enhancing team productivity and aligning long-term project goals.
Deep dives
Justifying Budgets for Internal Tools
Justifying a separate budget for internal tools in software development requires a connection to business value. Emphasizing the potential improvements in cycle time, for instance, demonstrates how investments in tools like enhanced software environments can lead to faster production rates and fewer defects. By measuring existing defect escapes and customer complaints, one can build a compelling case for budget requests, relying on concrete examples from their systems to illustrate the risks of inadequate testing. Ultimately, highlighting the financial implications of avoiding defects can effectively persuade financial stakeholders of the importance of investing in internal development tools.
Balancing Immediate and Long-term Returns
Managers often seek immediate returns on investments, which can create a mismatch between expectations and the reality of longer-term technology investments. The emphasis should be on optimizing cycle time to showcase quick wins that lend credibility to longer-term projects. By highlighting initial improvements in team collaboration and productivity, managers can create a narrative that transitions into the long-term benefits envisioned. Establishing clear partnerships with other departments, like HR, on how team collaboration impacts overall product quality can align incentives and facilitate necessary changes.
Innovation within Constraints
Scarcity can stimulate innovation by forcing teams to work within established boundaries, which can lead to creative problem-solving. When teams are challenged to accomplish tasks despite limited resources, they often find ingenious ways to deliver results that meet customer needs. Encouraging developers to focus on what can be achieved within their constraints allows for resourceful solutions, fostering a more dynamic and inventive work environment. By focusing on achievable goals, such as producing an initial product for a limited user base, teams can gather valuable feedback and iteratively improve their offerings.
Never try to convince anyone to give you budget for a project--tell them a compelling, business-meaningful story instead. This and many other surprising insights from my fantastic guest: management guru and prolific author Johanna Rothman!
Check out these resources we mentioned during our conversation--