Are you headed for a train wreck? – David Perkins, www.perkinstech.net

Boss: “I’d like you to takeover the next phase of this project.  The first phase produced a concept analysis report and for the second phase we want to build a small prototype.  You’ll like the folks at the prime contractor; we have a long relationship with them.”

You:  “Fine, let me read the report and look over the contract for this phase.”

A nice controlled transcontinental train ride, this is a lot better than last time!

You:  “This report seems to treat things at a high level and the problem and solutions don’t really say anything.  The contract just says that we will document as required to construct a prototype and a briefing.  The responsibilities between prime and subcontractor aren’t even addressed.”

Do you hear a sound like something is coming loose?

You:  “Boss, I looked over the contract and the report.  It sure seems like both of them have holes big enough to drive a train through!” 

Boss:  “The Prime contractor has a lot of subject matter experts, I’m sure they will clear things up for you.”

The sound is getting louder!

Prime:  “What we need is some animated power point slides that show the system detecting and responding to the problem.  We can put a slide in that explains how the magnetic repulsion theory resolves the problem.”

You:  “Are there any requirements that identify what problem we are trying to solve?”

Prime:  “Read the report it explains everything!  We need to get this presentation done before our experts arrive next week.”

You:  “I read the report and sent over questions which never got answered.  Here is my project plan with my planned activities and deliverables.  I’ll have my draft requirements to you before the experts get here along with some questions for them.”

I’m starting to smell something getting hot!

Experts: “You’ve asked some very good questions and I think with some minor changes your requirements reflect the basic problems and the desired solutions.  What I don’t understand is how the magnetic repulsion thing fits in with these requirements?”

You:  “Thanks, I’m not sure about the magnetic repulsion thing myself.”

There was a loud noise and then the earlier sounds and smells stopped.
  Maybe things are getting better!

Prime:  “Here is what we are building.  Can you have your part finished in 3 weeks?”

You:  “Well this solution doesn’t support the requirements we agreed to with the experts.  I’ve already given a prototype framework to your developers to integrate with, and as my schedule shows I’ll have another delivery in 2 weeks and the final delivery in 4 weeks.  But my schedule is to support the requirements we agreed to earlier.  I’ll have to look over this new design and get back to you tomorrow.”

Prime:  “If you can’t be done in 2 weeks than we will just do it all ourselves!”

The railcar seems to be swaying back and forth a lot more then it used to.
 I hope this thing stays on the tracks!

Two weeks later the Prime cancels your contract.  Your boss is madder at the Prime then at you!  The Prime delivers a poorly received demo to the customer – 6 months late.

The entire train rolled off the tracks while rounding a curve.  A loose wheel fitting that had cracked months earlier had finally broken off.