Analytics header

Thursday, January 1, 2009

What to do with the politics in systems implementation projects

In the past few months I have been involved in software implementation projects for some big life science companies. It has been a while since I did this type of role so it has been somewhat of an experience getting back in the swing of things. The fact that I have returned to what was once familiar territory gave me a chance to reflect on some peculiarities and phenomena in these types of engagements, one of which as everybody surely knows is politics. In every such situation I really try to understand the pros and cons as well as the causes of these phenomena. 

Let me start with the good things. In a way politics forces the people involved to seek consensus. This process involves a lot of discussion in which the solution and the problems are reflected on with many people providing input. Ultimately this can lead to, in certain situations, to alternative and possibly better solutions. Another result of these “political” discussions are of course the fact that you get to dig into the detail and thus uncover certain aspects of the problems that would have been found later in the process, at a time where design decisions are more costly to undo.
When working in such environment I find that everybody is trying to get as much detail covered as possible. There is a feeling that we need to get all the details hashed out before we move on. Obviously this is result of our “systems theory” upbringing. By that I mean that the way most people, with technical backgrounds, learned to tackle complex problems is by a process of functional decomposition in which the problem is taken apart to an atomic level in the analysis process. 

The underlying assumption for this approach is that everything is known and that from the time the decomposition is performed the “system” will never change again. Both of these assumptions are of course false. We will never be able to uncover all the required detail and once we have most probably the details are irrelevant because the circumstances have changed.

The approach that I usually take is grounded in some of my earlier work understanding complex adaptive systems and Holonic systems or in other words systems that are in chaos. I will leave the detail out at this point and you can read more in some of the other posts on this topic. The bottom line is that in order to be most efficient one has to strive to identify recognizable patterns that may indicate possible problems and solutions. This of course takes a lot of experience and becomes kind of an art to know exactly when enough detail has been gathered to move on. However it is not "rocket science" nor does it require any special natural abilities. All that is required is the ability to embrace a radically different approach at problem analysis. In a way one has to learn learn new tricks -  which of course may be hard for old dogs.

So back to politics…. Obviously the bad part of a politicized process is that it is inefficient, and much time is spent dancing around making sure that everybody is ok with the compromise that regardless of what people tell you will always be part of the solution. Also a lot of time is spent in typical CYA maneuvers, which is also something that will never be admitted to, yet it is human nature. I guess some can draw a parallel to survival instincts. 

The art in of all of this is achieving a balance that like most things in life is important. The approach has to be holistic in that the project has to be embraced with not only the technical detail but an understanding of the social aspects of the project. Looking at implementation projects in this way is no different than a study in social interaction. A balance has to be achieved between autonomy of the individuals, manifested by their personal motivation and goals (political or otherwise) and the goals of the project to effectively provide a system solution. By the way this is exactly the definition of a Holonic system, which leads me back to art of identifying patterns and using them for problem definition and solution design, rather than the traditional functional decomposition approach. On an end note, politics will always be part of any project, it is inherently how we interact in a social system, and it is not necessarily all bad if you understand the causes and use these to your advantage.

42 comments:

Unknown said...

Good topic to discuss that readers can relate to. Some thoughts of mine after reading.

Project politics and a balanced approach is difficult to achieve but very important to address in an implementation or selection analysis. People have a need to be heard and understood. In a project if people don't feel they have been heard there will be resistance to move forward. It takes experience to sense this in a group, but when consensus is achieved you get the organizations aligned set up for the best success

VEDA said...

I’m amazed, I must say. Rarely do I come across a blog that’s both
educative and amusing.
Goodjob!
Please visit our website our amazing website too.
카지노사이트

https://yhn777.com 카지노사이트

SEO CANADA said...

The article posted was very informative and useful. You people are doing a great job. Keep going 먹튀검증

SEO CANADA said...

Stunning! Such an astonishing and accommodating post this is. I super love it. It's so great thus amazing. I am simply stunned. I trust that you keep on doing your work like this later on moreover 파워볼전용사이트

SEO CANADA said...

논문에 대한 유익한 구성을 인정하면서 제한된 발표를 해독하는 것 외에도 블로그 옆에서 우연히 발견했습니다. 나는 당신의 비문 기술을 원합니다. 먹튀안전사이트

pilarwin said...

Why do only so much written on this subject? Here you see more. casino24

SeoMaster789 said...

https://www.toto-casino.net/%EC%9D%B4%EA%B8%B0%EC%9E%90%EB%B2%B3 This is my first time i visit here and I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially it's discussion, thank you. 이기자벳

sabrina said...

I’m happy that you simmply shared this usefuul
information with us. Please visit our website. Thank you!
카지노사이트
https://yhn876.com 카지노사이트

vé máy bay từ đức về Việt Nam said...

Mua vé máy bay tại Aivivu, tham khảo

đặt vé máy bay từ trung quốc về việt nam

bay hà nội hồ chí minh

vé máy bay vietjet đà nẵng đi hà nội

lịch bay hà nội đà lạt

vé máy bay từ mỹ về việt nam giá rẻ

Rosy rose said...

I just want to let you know that I just check out your site and I find it very interesting and informative.. 먹튀검증

Robert said...

Amazingly delightful utilization of words and Keenly built by the author 메이저놀이터

bmb said...

Great webpage brother I am gona inform this to all my friends and contacts 먹튀검증커뮤니티

토토사이트 said...

We are manufacturers and exporters of high quality Sportswear & Textile products. Our company produces custom designs and sizes as per our customer’s requirements. For biker jacket visit! 토토사이트

asddasdd said...

My Future Consulting is a top ranked employment agency and diversity/ executive search firm in Chicago, Illinois that consistently delivers top rated talent. 먹튀폴리스

asddasdd said...

our work is very good and I appreciate you and hopping for some more informative posts 안전놀이터

온라인카지노 said...

Hmm!! This blog is really cool, I’m so lucky that I have reached here and got this awesome information. 파워볼사이트

chein said...

This is an excellent post I seen thanks to share it. It is really what I wanted to see hope in future you will continue for sharing such a excellent post. outdoor patio seating

Muna said...

As a seller of legal steroids, you can buy Crazy Bulk products, explore stacks and finally get the body you’ve always wanted  courtier immobilier Candiac

Ali Murad said...

Thanks For sharing this Superb article.I use this Article to show my assignment in college.it is useful For me Great Work. 먹튀검증

xohefa said...

메이저사이트는 어떤 곳인가?
메이저사이트는 기본적으로 자본력은 기본으로써 운영기간, 보안 등 삼박자가 고루 갖추어진 토토사이트를 말합니다. 메이저사이트란 단지 규모가 크다거나 회원이 많다거나 다양한 수 많은 이벤트로와 각종 선물로 회원들을 현혹시키는 곳이 아닙니다. 그러나 사람들의 기준은 각자 다르지만 제가 생각하는 메이저사이트의 기준은 디도스에도 끄떡없는 탄탄한 보안과 자본력은 기본으로 빠른 충환전 서비스 해외에이전시와 정식 계약한 솔루션으로 다양한 게임들이 제공가능하며 오류없이 깨끗한 건강한 사이트가 메이저사이트라고 저는 생각합니다 메이저사이트
.

bamgosoocomq said...

Wow that was strange. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn't show up.대구오피


카지노사이트 said...

The White House said in a statement that the two leaders agreed that the Taliban’s military offensive “is in direct contradiction to the movement’s claim to support a negotiated settlement of the conflict.”
https://www.yert200.com

카지노사이트 said...

Ghani has often said he will remain in office until new elections can determine the next government. His critics — including ones outside the Taliban — accuse him of seeking only to keep power, causing splits among government supporters.
https://www.shine900.com

카지노사이트 said...

Shaheen called the talks a good beginning. But he said the government’s repeated demands for a cease-fire while Ghani stayed in power were tantamount to demanding a Taliban surrender.
https://www.gain777.com

카지노사이트 said...

Shaheen said under this new government, women will be allowed to work, go to school, and participate in politics, but will have to wear the hijab, or headscarf. He said women won’t be required to have a male relative with them to leave their home, and that Taliban commanders in newly occupied districts have orders that universities, schools and markets operate as before, including with the participation of women and girls.
https://www.kkr789.com

카지노사이트 said...

However, there have been repeated reports from captured districts of Taliban imposing harsh restrictions on women, even setting fire to schools. One gruesome video that emerged appeared to show Taliban killing captured commandos in northern Afghanistan.
https://www.aace777.com

카지노사이트 said...

Shaheen said some Taliban commanders had ignored the leadership’s orders against repressive and drastic behavior and that several have been put before a Taliban military tribunal and punished, though he did provide specifics. He contended the video was fake, a splicing of separate footage.
https://www.qqueen700.com

카지노사이트 said...

Shaheen said there are no plans to make a military push on Kabul and that the Taliban have so far “restrained” themselves from taking provincial capitals. But he warned they could, given the weapons and equipment they have acquired in newly captured districts. He contended that the majority of the Taliban’s battlefield successes came through negotiations, not fighting.
https://www.rcasinosite.com

카지노사이트 said...

“Those districts which have fallen to us and the military forces who have joined us ... were through mediation of the people, through talks,” he said. “They (did not fall) through fighting ... it would have been very hard for us to take 194 districts in just eight weeks.”
https://www.hotgame8.com

카지노사이트 said...

The Taliban control about half of Afghanistan’s 419 district centers, and while they have yet to capture any of the 34 provincial capitals, they are pressuring about half of them, Milley said. In recent days, the U.S. has carried out airstrikes in support of beleaguered Afghan government troops in the southern city of Kandahar, around which the Taliban have been amassing, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Thursday.
https://www.kakeriun.com

bamgosoocom said...


It's always a pleasure to read your magnificent articles on this site.
You are among the top writers of this generation, and there's nothing you can do that will change my opinion on that.
My friends will soon realize how good you are!

my web page; 오피 (jk)

opbestcom said...

Its like you learn my mind! You appear to grasp a lot approximately this,
such as you wrote the e book in it or something. I believe that you just could do with
some % to drive the message house a bit, but instead of that, that is great blog.
A fantastic read. I will certainly be back.
안마


Jackson mona said...

I've been awake for a while now and thinking to start blogging but can't find a great content to put on. When i got in here it makes me think of good things. Thanks for sharing, I hope you'll visit my blogsite. Sustain superb piece of work, Someone said few web sites on this web site and i conceive that your particular internet site is rattling interesting and contains plenty of fantastic information. I like your writing very so much! percentage we be in contact more about your article on AOL? I require an expert on this area to solve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Having a look ahead to look you. 먹튀폴리스검증

Robert11 said...

Interesting post. I Have Been wondering about this issue, so thanks for posting. Pretty cool post.It 's really very nice and Useful post.Thanks . You share really interesting news which I never read on any website. Thanks for sharing here . After reading your article I was amazed. I know that you explain it very well. And I hope that other readers will also experience how I feel after reading your article. I appreciate the time you put into this post. In fact your writing has me wanting to kickoff my own webblog now. Thanks again for sharing this up. This surely helps me in my work. Lol, thanks for your comment! wink Glad you found it helpful. 파워볼엔트리

Robert11 said...

i like travelling your site on account that i constantly encounter exciting guides like this one. Remarkable job, i greatly recognize that. Do preserve sharing! Appealing weblog publish, the nation's a sincerely great web log which you have got these, compete the first-rate get the task finished, may be once again. Very informative submit! There is lots of records right here that may assist any commercial enterprise get started out with a a . 먹튀검증

ddssddss said...

Hello there! This post couldn't be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my good old room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this write-up to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing! I am so grateful I found your site, I really found you by error, while I was browsing on Aol for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just like to say thank you for a marvelous post and a all round entertaining blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through it all at the moment but I have bookmarked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more, Please do keep up the fantastic work. Definitely, what a splendid website and enlightening posts, I definitely will bookmark your site.Have an awsome day! 먹튀신고

Robert11 said...

this is the first time that i am hearing approximately the time period delegation courses. Every branch within the mission can be very important for every employes. Besides thanks for sharing this text proper right here which may be very beneficial for many humans. This is a superb possibility for folks that are considering taking a delegation path so those who are interested can use the facts provided proper right here so that you can understand approximately the courses and associated facts i am satisfied i found this web net website online, i could not discover any information in this rely range prior to. Additionally characteristic a website and if you are ever interested by doing a little traveller writing for me. Simply unadulterated elegance from you right right here. I've by no means predicted something now not as an entire lot as this from you and you haven't baffled me by way of any enlarge of the innovative energy. 먹튀검증

Owen Rida said...

Thank you again for all the knowledge you distribute, Good post. I was very interested in the article, it's quite inspiring I should admit. I like visiting you site since I always come across interesting articles like this one.Great Job, I greatly appreciate that.Do Keep sharing! Regards . This is a good post. This post gives truly quality information. I’m definitely going to look into it. Really very useful tips are provided here. Thank you so much. Keep up the good works . Thanks a bunch for one more valuable post. Ive been checking this website frequently for the past number of months, and its currently one of my favorite sites! . I work on an internet site that has very similar content, would you’ve got any interest write a guest post on it? Shoot me an email if you are interested! 토토사이트

Anonymous said...

Hello, this is very useful material. This article is really inspiring me to do the same thing as you.. You can read online info about Turkey evisa.The Turkey e visa is an electronic visa that allows entry into Turkey.

카지노사이트
said...

Thanks , I’ve recently been searching for information about this subject for ages and yours is the greatest I’ve came upon so far. That's a good post. Reading this I found it very informative.카지노사이트
Thank you for your time and effort in writing this article. Again, I realized I was spending too much time reading and commenting.
Please visit my site and leave a comment.

apply for indian visa said...

This can easily be obtained online. Now you can apply for Indian visa online. The process is completely online and there is no need to submit the paperwork in person to any Indian Embassy or Consulate.

Allen smith said...

Your information is fantastic and very helpful. I have read it many times. You have included a lot of valuable information in this article and check what happens if i overstay in India. Now it is much easier to apply for an e-visa to India.