Welcome to the Consultation Box Page
A DEDICATED MESSAGE
AND BOLD STATEMENTS FROM MY PEERS
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A SELECTION OF CONSULTANCY HINTS AND STATEMENTS |
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Know what you want |
So many times I have come across situations where my client knows he must expand or has a dream to achieve great fortune but has not thought the idea through. Is the technology available? Are their enough Einsteins around to operate your system? Rome was built yesterday…. Does the expected cost exceed the market revenue? Go top down rather than bottoms up! |
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If you can draw it you can do it |
Given the boundary conditions given to us by mother nature (and Albert E.) and a good grounding in scientific and logical method a picture is worth a thousand words. We analyse all engineering and business processes at this level. This is the main drive behind the design copyright right act (copyright extends from paper to copying in 3 dimensional form) Even when you consider the optical illusions, which can indeed be drawn, when a datum and dimensions are added the science shows up the illusion. We promote the use of the initial context diagram followed by top level and subsequent functional block descriptions. At this stage the situation of "and then a miracle happens" can be avoided at the cost of a few sheets of paper and valuable time is not wasted AVOID the "we will flesh it out when we get on site" cowboys. |
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If you can explain it in simple writing then you can build it |
This follows on from the drawing scheme above. With a good set of simple language the pictures can be expanded to detailed descriptions, which can then be used to iron out the wrinkles. And the WHY questions asked. ISM’s, IST’s and AGE’s are right out. I even heard some verbal sewer talking about a car’s "componentage" ….. YUK YUK YUK Next thing will be software "objectage" and circuit "siliconage" Stop making up words to fit incompetence! |
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If a meeting does not have an agenda don’t attend |
Without an agenda a meeting is worthless collection of anecdotes. Unless its a Dictator’s meeting. Then its not a meeting! Unless an agenda is circulated and preferably a short document (containing drawings) prior to the meeting all who will attend will be clued up to what they want to say and preferably what they want to hear. |
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Always plan 50% more than you need |
If you plan for 200% you stand a 50% chance of achieving 100%. Even with the best planning force majeure and Murphy always play a part in the outcome. Chaos theory and a study of entropy will shatter most dreams. Its better not to have the gift of hindsight during a new venture. This is bit embarrassing. Most of my colleagues have the gift of hindsight please use our experience. |
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Don’t forget to leave some holes |
Think next year and the year after and the year after that. Make sure there is enough flexibility for expansion. This covers from physical space in office/technical and rack real estate to expected staffing levels. |
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Don’t look too close |
Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle tells us the closer you look the more blurred the image becomes. Its from this that at various levels within the consultancy process it is best to stop and revert to the ‘BIG PICTURE’ We set the functional areas of projects so that creative skills are used to their full without dilution on the next level of detail. Knowing when to set the delegation levels is imperative. |
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Don’t break the essential communication rules |
NEVER NEVER NEVER BYPASS THE COMMUNICATIONS ROUTES Following the communications paths keeps everyone in the know. |
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Avoid single points of failure |
The technical engineering, power reticulation, M&E, HVAC systems must all have some form of redundancy that will NOT take the whole system down. Especially during preventative and crisis maintenance. THIS ALSO APPLIES TO STAFFING |
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Keep it cheap |
But NOT nasty! We see no point in building engineering orgasms. What we have to prove is that an economical engineering and operations system can be created. |
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Try to make decisions |
It is always important to make a decision than not. Even if the circumstances change quickly and the decision has to be modified. He who hesitates vegetates. |
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Keep out the MICE MAKE IT ELEGANT |
We prefer to KISS the project with the "Keep It Simple Solution" approach The procurers of the "Make It Complicated Einstein" approach to show off their brilliant esteem are a waste of time and money. If its simple its elegant and it will work. |
