Ask HN: As a team lead how to handle project going off the rails?

Post by AlexCoventry » Thu, Jul 12, 2018, 2:40 PM UTC

lostcolony wrote: post #71

ljw1001 wrote: post #51

This is not going to be like the other advice you get, but I've managed many projects in different organizations and I think it is sound. First and foremost, don't sound any alarms. Many organizations have common characteristics in this regard. First, they don't expect you to be on time. Sales may think you're going to launch on time, but it's in their financial interest to think so. The rest of the org probably made…

So much this it's painful. You will never be thanked for telling them uncomfortable truths, even if they -don't- know. Even the private conversation is dangerous; as you say, keep it as low key and minimal as possible ("i have some concerns about the timeline" is literally all you should say unless they ask, and your answers to any followup question should be equally circumspect). Instead, as others have mentioned, j…

Post by hoppyluke » Thu, Jul 12, 2018, 2:43 PM UTC

AlexCoventry wrote: post #121

lostcolony wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So much this it's painful. You will never be thanked for telling them uncomfortable truths, even if they -don't- know. Even the private conversation is dangerous; as you say, keep it as low key and minimal as possible ("i have some concerns about the timeline" is literally all you should say unless they ask, and your answers to any followup question should be equally circumspect). Instead, as others have mentioned, j…

What's PO?

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Jul 12, 2018, 2:43 PM UTC

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Jul 12, 2018, 2:44 PM UTC

AlexCoventry wrote: post #121

lostcolony wrote: post #71

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So much this it's painful. You will never be thanked for telling them uncomfortable truths, even if they -don't- know. Even the private conversation is dangerous; as you say, keep it as low key and minimal as possible ("i have some concerns about the timeline" is literally all you should say unless they ask, and your answers to any followup question should be equally circumspect). Instead, as others have mentioned, j…

What's PO?

Post by barrkel » Thu, Jul 12, 2018, 2:47 PM UTC

ljw1001 wrote: post #51

This is not going to be like the other advice you get, but I've managed many projects in different organizations and I think it is sound. First and foremost, don't sound any alarms. Many organizations have common characteristics in this regard. First, they don't expect you to be on time. Sales may think you're going to launch on time, but it's in their financial interest to think so. The rest of the org probably made…