Pappettan teaches how to shorten a schedule

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!

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.



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Comments

  1. WOW!!!!!! My god this papettan!!!!!!! Who can ever think the way he does??!!!

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  2. 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 :(

    I loved the answer but still trying to figure out how it can be implemented in the situation you described above.

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  3. 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 :(

    I loved the answer but still trying to figure out how it can be implemented in the situation you described above.

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    Replies
    1. 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. :)

      PS: 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. :)

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  4. Loved 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.

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    Replies
    1. Glad 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. :)

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  5. I 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.

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    Replies
    1. These days, every one has impossible deadlines. :)

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