It seems ClientCo has been shedding staff for many years and off shoring development.
The staff fall into two categories, the first are the senior PMs who may have been coders backs in the 70's but have no up to date hard skills and therefore are unable contribute or lead on technical matters.
However, they are seasoned pros and know how to play the game and survive. They are the older broad waste line types who stand around posturing and waving their hands. Rather than concentrate on real project detail they are more interested in playing the game to satisfy their boss. It seems they have no desire to learn new skills at their age; they have done their stint and are happy to sit back and pass the baton to the next generation.
The second category is the permie devs\architects, who are very few in number and on incredible salaries, actually eye popping salaries! They report to the aforementioned PMs and what they say is gospel; they pretty much have the run of the place.
A bad word from them would see a contractor like me out of the door in no time.
They are the most ruthless group I have ever come across, they are able to manipulate and twist any situation to their benefit.
They are fully aware that jobs with salaries like theirs do not grow on trees; nothing will be allowed to compromise their positions.
They are fully aware of the issues with the aspect of the project that I have been assigned.
They have avoided taking on this piece of work themselves and a contractor was hired on their advice.
In a nutshell, the work that has been assigned to me is simply stated as a one line point on the project plan. The project started some time ago and this piece of work was considered small, now the PM will not own up to having understated the work, as doing so may have dire consequences for those on the gravy train.
In a startup meeting I tried to express the amount of work that was involved and highlighted how it needed to be broken down. At this meeting I highlighted all my concerns and a plan was agreed. However, over the coming days the PMs having given it more (political) thought chipped away at the plan and we were back to square one.
In terms of political manipulation I am completely out of my depth with these people. In the space of a week I seem to have surrendered to their will!
I'm a contractor; I'm paid on an hourly rate, perhaps that is all I should be concerned with. I should just play the game, tell them what they want to hear, do as much as I can and run the clock down.
The staff fall into two categories, the first are the senior PMs who may have been coders backs in the 70's but have no up to date hard skills and therefore are unable contribute or lead on technical matters.
However, they are seasoned pros and know how to play the game and survive. They are the older broad waste line types who stand around posturing and waving their hands. Rather than concentrate on real project detail they are more interested in playing the game to satisfy their boss. It seems they have no desire to learn new skills at their age; they have done their stint and are happy to sit back and pass the baton to the next generation.
The second category is the permie devs\architects, who are very few in number and on incredible salaries, actually eye popping salaries! They report to the aforementioned PMs and what they say is gospel; they pretty much have the run of the place.
A bad word from them would see a contractor like me out of the door in no time.
They are the most ruthless group I have ever come across, they are able to manipulate and twist any situation to their benefit.
They are fully aware that jobs with salaries like theirs do not grow on trees; nothing will be allowed to compromise their positions.
They are fully aware of the issues with the aspect of the project that I have been assigned.
They have avoided taking on this piece of work themselves and a contractor was hired on their advice.
In a nutshell, the work that has been assigned to me is simply stated as a one line point on the project plan. The project started some time ago and this piece of work was considered small, now the PM will not own up to having understated the work, as doing so may have dire consequences for those on the gravy train.
In a startup meeting I tried to express the amount of work that was involved and highlighted how it needed to be broken down. At this meeting I highlighted all my concerns and a plan was agreed. However, over the coming days the PMs having given it more (political) thought chipped away at the plan and we were back to square one.
In terms of political manipulation I am completely out of my depth with these people. In the space of a week I seem to have surrendered to their will!
I'm a contractor; I'm paid on an hourly rate, perhaps that is all I should be concerned with. I should just play the game, tell them what they want to hear, do as much as I can and run the clock down.
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