The Need for Speed

The appointment of Cisco’s new CEO, Chuck Robbins, has a message for companies and project managers everywhere. Cisco’s announcement stressed that Robbins would ‘move the company faster” when he takes the helm in late July.

If a worldwide leader in IT announces “the pace of change is exponential” it moves “speed” into pole position in corporate strategy for businesses everywhere. (Is it a coincidence that last year’s “People’s Choice” award for best new TV series went to “The Flash?”)

However, mere speed is not enough. What kind of speed is it?

Productive Speed:

• Combines long term thinking with focused short term planning
• Follows a credible schedule using duration-based project planning
• Monitors progress frequently to capture and stop schedule slippage early
• Secures commitment from team members on schedule changes

Toxic Speed

• Underestimates activity durations.
• Shortens non-critical tasks that don’t accelerate completion.
• Compromises on perceived non-critical tasks as the deadline approaches
• Ignores feedback or pushback from activity managers on timing.

Companies and project managers in the newer, faster economy need an updated toolbox and some new approaches in order to stay in the race.

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines.