Introduction
As author Peter Taylor states on the front flysheet of his book: "The Lazy
Project Manager illustrates how anyone can apply the simple techniques of
lazy project management in their own activities and consequently improve work-life
balance." Thus, Peter introduces his concept of "productive laziness".
Peter practices from the UK and draws on his project experiences in that part
of the world. We suspect that had he been in North America, he would have hastened
to register his copyright on "lazy project management" or something similar before
some other bright spark copyright's it with a view to making money out of his
approach.
Peter's approach centers on three themes:
- Working smarter
- The Pareto principle, and
- The shape of the Brontosaurus
If that doesn't grab your attention, nothing will.
But how can "lazy" tie into "working smarter"? Sounds like an oxymoron to us.
First, we have to understand what Peter means by "lazy" and indeed he goes to
some length to clarify what he means. As Peter explains it:
"Lazy does not mean stupid. No, I really mean that we should all adopt
a more focused approach to project management and exercise our efforts where it
really matters, rather than rushing around like busy, busy bees involving ourselves
in unimportant, non-critical activities that others can better address, or which
do not need addressing at all in some cases."[1]
Peter calls this "productive laziness".[2]
Peter goes on to explain that there is a science behind this laziness and that
is the Pareto Principle. As he describes it:
The Pareto principle (also known as the 80/20 rule) states that for
many phenomena, 80% of the consequences stem from 20% of the causes. The idea
has a rule of thumb application in many places, but it's also commonly misused.
For example, it's a misuse to state that a solution to a problem 'fit's the 80-20
rule' just because it fits 80% of the cases; it must also be implied that this
solution requires only 20% of the resources needed to solve all cases."[3]
Peter notes that "laziness" tends to be a negative term, or at least "self-indulgence",
while
"productiveness is seen as a very positive term ... So, put the benefits
of productiveness together with an intelligent application of laziness and you
get 'productive laziness'."[4]
Simply put, by working smarter and hence getting the most bang for your buck!
1. Peter Taylor,
The Lazy Project Manager, Infinite Ideas Limited, Oxford, UK, Introduction,
p1
2. Ibid.
3. Ibid, p5
4. Ibid, p12
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