Reply to: That was close for you guys

[oracleslave]

Regarding interruptions. If anyone ever interrupts me I always give same response - I say "I will get back to you in 5 minutes". 5 minutes later I go over to their desk and announce loudly "how can I help you?". This gives the impression to the interrupters surrounding colleagues that you are after my help- I'm in charge, it raises your profile as a "helper". And a source of info for others, a real "go to guy". Trust me, they soon stop interrupting you. This works best if they sit near their boss.

Pole choker from down under?

[BlindCobblersThumb]

Regarding interruptions. If anyone ever interrupts me I always give same response - I say "I will get back to you in 5 minutes". 5 minutes later I go over to their desk and announce loudly "how can I help you?". This gives the impression to the interrupters surrounding colleagues that you are after my help- I'm in charge, it raises your profile as a "helper". And a source of info for others, a real "go to guy". Trust me, they soon stop interrupting you. This works best if they sit near their boss.

[BrilloPad]

As long as you are still invoicing and not in jail all is fine.

[suityou01]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miOWJ4rKb_g

Bless, look at the permie trying to join in.


Someone throw him a bone

[MarillionFan]

FTFY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miOWJ4rKb_g

[TheFaQQer]

Me going fecking postal when the next person interrupts me to show me a funny youtube clip when I'm in the middle of spouting bollocks on CUK.

FTFY

[BlindCobblersThumb]

OK this is on you.

So my project is going to hell in a handcart basically.

First problem is that I am the only dev, and as such all my tasks are linear and on the critical path. Extra resource really won't help in the short to medium term as it would slow me down having to bring the new poor sod up to speed and then deal with his questions as we proceed.

I have tried to explain this until I nearly went postal this morning. Falling on deaf ears. I've tried basic language like "Every time you interrupt me, the project moves a bit to the right" and "When my headphones are in, if it can wait until later, let it wait until later".

It doesn't also help that this data scrubbing work wasn't quoted for. This is an added pressure to get it done sharpish.

One thing I have been adamant about from the start is that I am only scrubbing data that is part of the migration and dropping the rest. Now ClientCo have discovered "other stuff" that needs to be migrated. Fair enough, file a change request with the consultancy, stop hassling me

On the other hand if I need to ask questions of the client I make a list, and when the list is say 10 things long I call a quick coffee time meeting. This morning I actually called a proper proper meeting as the list of questions was quite large. Chap at clientco just glazed after question 2 and said to just mail him the list and he would go through it in his own time as his desk. Fairy nuff.

Then every 5 minutes a tap on the shoulder, stop ipod, remove earbuds, put on brave smile "Yes Herr Soandso, how can I help". "Ach ja, I have a qvestion about qvestion nummer 3".

Rinse and repeat ad nauseum.

Every weekly report I send to the consultancy lists distractions and interruptions as a major project risk, but do they fecking listen?

Worse still my contract is up in 2 weeks and the work already stretches past it by some chalk. They keep saying they're going to renew, but always mañana mañana.

Phone is ringing about other gigs, and I'm now allowing my CV to go forward for stuff, after all I'm sick and tired of reminding the consultancy about the project, about my contract, about the interruptions, about pretty much everything.

This is all normal stuff.

Regarding linear tasks- nonsense - these days you have to multitask. Deal with it. Up your game.

Regarding interruptions. If you have gravitas you should have a word and tell them straight it's not a good time to interrupt. Or - and write this down - if anyone ever interrupts me I always give same response - I say "I will get back to you in 5 minutes". 5 minutes later I go over to their desk and announce "how can I help you this time?". This gives the impression to the interrupters surrounding colleagues that you are always after help, it raises your profile as a "helper". And a source of info for others. Trust me, they soon stop interrupting you.

[MarillionFan]

OK this is on you.

So my project is going to hell in a handcart basically.

First problem is that I am the only dev, and as such all my tasks are linear and on the critical path. Extra resource really won't help in the short to medium term as it would slow me down having to bring the new poor sod up to speed and then deal with his questions as we proceed.

I have tried to explain this until I nearly went postal this morning. Falling on deaf ears. I've tried basic language like "Every time you interrupt me, the project moves a bit to the right" and "When my headphones are in, if it can wait until later, let it wait until later".

It doesn't also help that this data scrubbing work wasn't quoted for. This is an added pressure to get it done sharpish.

One thing I have been adamant about from the start is that I am only scrubbing data that is part of the migration and dropping the rest. Now ClientCo have discovered "other stuff" that needs to be migrated. Fair enough, file a change request with the consultancy, stop hassling me

On the other hand if I need to ask questions of the client I make a list, and when the list is say 10 things long I call a quick coffee time meeting. This morning I actually called a proper proper meeting as the list of questions was quite large. Chap at clientco just glazed after question 2 and said to just mail him the list and he would go through it in his own time as his desk. Fairy nuff.

Then every 5 minutes a tap on the shoulder, stop ipod, remove earbuds, put on brave smile "Yes Herr Soandso, how can I help". "Ach ja, I have a qvestion about qvestion nummer 3".

Rinse and repeat ad nauseum.

Every weekly report I send to the consultancy lists distractions and interruptions as a major project risk, but do they fecking listen?

Worse still my contract is up in 2 weeks and the work already stretches past it by some chalk. They keep saying they're going to renew, but always mañana mañana.

Phone is ringing about other gigs, and I'm now allowing my CV to go forward for stuff, after all I'm sick and tired of reminding the consultancy about the project, about my contract, about the interruptions, about pretty much everything.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgpd5UDhUe8

[suityou01]

You do what you've been contracted to do.

You cover your own backside and those who would do the same for you.

You then sit back and watch the screw ups that ensure work continues to be required.

This is how it's always been and always will be.

Thanks eek. <------ tongues

[eek]

That was close for you guys

You do what you've been contracted to do.

You cover your own backside and those who would do the same for you.

You then sit back and watch the screw ups that ensure work continues to be required.

This is how it's always been and always will be.

[suityou01]

Where there is entertainment there is money.

Is the entertainment ever worth the money?

I think I live in planet la la suityland where people listen, do their job, are courteous and professional.

Do any of you live in this land, and if so can I get a gig there?

[eek]

Where there is entertainment there is money.

[suityou01]

+1

All I see is extra money due to utter incompetency...

You of course have a point but what about :

The much wailing and gnashing of the consultancy when this stuff isn't delivered. I told you so often does not placate.
The much wailing and gnashing of ClientCo when this stuff isn't delivered. I told you and the consultancy so often does not placate.
Me going fecking postal when the next person interrupts me to show me a funny youtube clip when I'm deep in some code.

[SimonMac]

I can't see what the problem is.

PEBCAK?

[eek]

I can't see what the problem is.

+1

All I see is extra money due to utter incompetency...