Want to see some of the latest government sites..try apps.gov, data.gov and Recovery.gov. Recovery.gov is supposed to provide information on where the stimulus dollars are being spent. Let me know if you find anything interesting.

Communication is something we all talk about but are sometimes remiss in doing. A family member changes plans and forgets to let you know so you are left anticipating one outcome and another occurs. A team member fails to communicate a key factor in a project which leaves information and results falling through the cracks. A conference attendee fails to notice a change in venue and shows up for an event that is at another time or place.

We are all guilty at one time or another of failing to communicate. Communication also may mean one thing to you and another to someone else. You like detail, detail, detail, and they think they have communicated by osmosis. How can this be rectified? One way is to make it clear when someone fails to communicate up to your expectations. If you don’t tell them they may go merrily on their way thinking all is well.

Sometimes communication is manipulation. We see that in politics, family and business on many occasions. I communicate one thing about a health care plan, while supporting another. I talk of no tax while imposing tax, families talk of love and demonstrate manipulation by pretense, businesses post signs about their cleanliness and you find untoward imaginings in the back room or behind the counter. Clear, honest communication is critical to any relationship, project or business.

A clear plan at the beginning of a project that is communicated to all team members is critical to success. It doesn’t have to be a Microsoft plan with all the bells and whistles, but even a basic excel plan with the results expected and timelines provides a good foundation for success.

Ask yourself, where have you failed to communicate and how might you change this in the future? Family, Friends, Teammates? Look around and see where you can improve and then make a plan to do it. That’s it a communication plan, hmmmm why didn’t I think of that?

Day one is behind us with a nice review of what was accomplished.  Let’s move on now and discuss each strategy we will be following in the implementation or upgrade.  Is there a specific methodology that is used by the client.  If so, make sure you have reviewed that methodology before starting this phase of the workshop.  This is a good place to start assigning groups to work on areas of interest.  Who will finish the strategy document?   What are the tasks, timelines, repsonsibilities.  Discuss them to make sure all members of the team are in agreement or if not agreement, there is a consensus.  What are the minimum categories for developing strategy?  You must at least have operating agreements in place, a high level strategy for how conversion will be handled.  Do you have a training plan? a testing plan?  Have you analyzed business process to identfy areas of improvement?  Have you analyzed the relationship between business process and system process to ensure your business process will be effective?  What approach will you have for communication?  Who, what, when why and how? Weekly team meetings are critical, using immediate communication devices such as twitter can be of value when immediate responses are needed.  What is the chain for decision making, the level of financial impact at each level and finally how will you approach upgrades and fixes at the beginning and throughout the length of the project?

Wow, that is the first item on the agenda for Day two…we have lots more to cover so tune back in tomorrow for more suggestions and please feel free to provide additions and comments.