If you are wondering who Pappettan is, click on this link and find out.
You must have heard about people complaining about impossible schedules. In a modern day project scenario, there is always pressure to deliver in very less time with each successive project receiving lesser time to deliver than the previous one. I have many people ranting about this. To be truthful, I have also complained about this to many of my friends and colleagues. Recently, I was talking to Pappettan about this dilemma and it was interesting to note his take on this issue.
Me: They want me to deliver this project in 2 months.
Pappettan: *listening*
Me: How is it possible? They are asking me to do an impossible task.
Pappettan: *with a smile* What did Napolean teach us? I thought you wrote about it in your blog long back.
Me: *with a defensive tone* Well, he said... Impossible n'est pas français. But, I am not French!
-->
You must have heard about people complaining about impossible schedules. In a modern day project scenario, there is always pressure to deliver in very less time with each successive project receiving lesser time to deliver than the previous one. I have many people ranting about this. To be truthful, I have also complained about this to many of my friends and colleagues. Recently, I was talking to Pappettan about this dilemma and it was interesting to note his take on this issue.
Me: They want me to deliver this project in 2 months.
Pappettan: *listening*
Me: How is it possible? They are asking me to do an impossible task.
Pappettan: *with a smile* What did Napolean teach us? I thought you wrote about it in your blog long back.
Me: *with a defensive tone* Well, he said... Impossible n'est pas français. But, I am not French!
Pappettan: *chuckling* Are you sure it is impossible?
Me: *quickly seizes the opportunity to lecture Pappettan* Don't you know it takes 9 months to deliver a child. If you put three people, the baby won't come out in 3 months. *sports a victorious smile after the grand speech*
Pappettan: *chuckling more*
Me: *confused*
Pappettan: *calmly* It is possible to deliver a baby in 3 months with one person.
Me: *about to say he has gone mad and then has second thoughts*
Pappettan: *smiles for an eternity, takes a brief pause before talking* You need to start with 6 month pregnant woman. Then it is possible to deliver in 3 months.
WOW!!!!!! My god this papettan!!!!!!! Who can ever think the way he does??!!!
ReplyDelete:) That is why he is Pappettan
DeleteWell, this is one sentence which we often use to defend ourselves when bombarded with difficult timelines. Being a Project Manager myself, I know the pain when you have to balance between your team's working hours and your seniors' demands :(
ReplyDeleteI loved the answer but still trying to figure out how it can be implemented in the situation you described above.
Well, this is one sentence which we often use to defend ourselves when bombarded with difficult timelines. Being a Project Manager myself, I know the pain when you have to balance between your team's working hours and your seniors' demands :(
ReplyDeleteI loved the answer but still trying to figure out how it can be implemented in the situation you described above.
Isn't it what they call thinking out of the box? That is why I wanted to write this article. There are different ways to arrive at a solution. :)
DeletePS: I have enabled comments moderation here. So the comments appear only after I have seen it. This ensure that I respond to everyone who comments. :)
nice article!!
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteLoved the post! Please forward my warm hello to Pappettan. Met him for the first time today. Wish we all have a Pappettan in our lives to keep things simple and sorted.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like him. As for having a Pappettan in your life, look harder. This guy is everywhere. I am definite you will find someone who fits the bill. :)
DeleteI can so much relate to it! The situation is quite similar to what happens back at my workplace. Papettan is indeed a worldly wise person, hats off to his wisdom.
ReplyDeleteThese days, every one has impossible deadlines. :)
Delete