Dan Ward writes with great clarity on the topic of simplicity. Throughout his outstanding book, The Simplicity Cycle, Dan uses this fundamental graph.
Achieving balance between complexity and goodness is a key issue in our industry as we manage complex projects. We need a certain amount of complexity in order to ascertain and comprehend the scope of a given project. On the other hand, we sometimes inject unnecessary complexity into our management process by overdeveloping schedule detail far in advance, and by using “tricks” with logic or sequencing which in the end do not reflect the actual sequence or timing of the project.
Simplicity brings clarity. Clarity enables shared vision. Shared vision creates the unified team dynamic needed to execute effectively on project deliverables. Simplicity does not mean being simplistic; in fact, true simplicity is a highly evolved understanding that allows insights which clarify and simplify.
As Charles Mingus adroitly pointed out, “Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple. That’s creativity.”
I’m an advocate of the creative act in planning and scheduling. Creating a simple diagram that clarifies the scope of work and creates a shared vision.
Hmmmmm…
If only there were a tool to help achieve this laudable goal.