If you ever worked in software design, you might have come across "Design Patterns". Briefly, they are reusable solutions to commonly occurring problems. Being a "congenital lazy boy", I have been a good proponent of reuse and invariably addicted to stealing... "Why the heck reinvent wheel, when someone had done it already?"
Building, configuring and managing software solutions is something I was doing for considerably long time now. Guys, I admit it is boring; however it is my only meal ticket so far... Off late, this has been devastatingly boring that I came up with some creative ways to put professional boredom behind me. Here is the trick... Vent my junk talk to innocent bystanders…
Any corporate conglomerate is a behaviorally complex ecosystem where lots of fishes muddle through... People often draw unwritten contracts and hold others accountable to an invisible contract. Most people expect others to communicate or fulfill their requests in the manner they would have acted under the same scenario.
I consistently observed this pattern in my daily work life. And whenever I did not comprehend exact requirements - i.e, scope and deadlines - I got into trouble. I got into further trouble when my gut told me that there may an iceberg behind the cold and failed to talk about it. Finally I learned it the hard way - that there is a behavioral pattern in any relationship, be it official or personal... I'd call it "The Contract Pattern".
So, what is a contract? Merriam Webster dictionary tells me "a binding agreement between two or more persons or parties". And, why is it important in our lives?
Suppose your wife tells you to “please do X”. And you respond “Yes”. So a contract is created. If you do not understand the 5 W’s, to some reasonably good level, there is a problem.
Building, configuring and managing software solutions is something I was doing for considerably long time now. Guys, I admit it is boring; however it is my only meal ticket so far... Off late, this has been devastatingly boring that I came up with some creative ways to put professional boredom behind me. Here is the trick... Vent my junk talk to innocent bystanders…
Any corporate conglomerate is a behaviorally complex ecosystem where lots of fishes muddle through... People often draw unwritten contracts and hold others accountable to an invisible contract. Most people expect others to communicate or fulfill their requests in the manner they would have acted under the same scenario.
I consistently observed this pattern in my daily work life. And whenever I did not comprehend exact requirements - i.e, scope and deadlines - I got into trouble. I got into further trouble when my gut told me that there may an iceberg behind the cold and failed to talk about it. Finally I learned it the hard way - that there is a behavioral pattern in any relationship, be it official or personal... I'd call it "The Contract Pattern".
So, what is a contract? Merriam Webster dictionary tells me "a binding agreement between two or more persons or parties". And, why is it important in our lives?
Suppose your wife tells you to “please do X”. And you respond “Yes”. So a contract is created. If you do not understand the 5 W’s, to some reasonably good level, there is a problem.
• What? (What you want)If you are not on the same page on these items, you may probably leave the requester grumbling, even though you might have done a good job.
• When? (When you want)
• Where? (If applicable, where you want)
• Why? (If applicable…It may help you appreciate the request more)
• How? (How do I make sure that you are satisfied)
And hopefully now on, people won’t yell at you.
Good luck!
Makes sense . Something that will help us in our daily lives.
The 'W' factors...!
Wash Allen ji,
u r absolutly ri8, there is no such thing as “over-communication”.. and 5W's got great significance in our daily life. do write more...