Comments on: The Burning Platform http://theasicguy.com/2010/03/01/the-burning-platform/ sharing insights into the people side of ASIC design Thu, 17 May 2012 16:14:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: harry http://theasicguy.com/2010/03/01/the-burning-platform/#comment-1731 harry Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:42:03 +0000 http://theasicguy.com/2010/03/01/the-burning-platform/#comment-1731 Hi Sean, Thanks for the reference to the book "Switch" and the section on a burning platform. I looked that section up on Google Books. If I understand correctly, the authors' point is that a Burning Platform metaphor is designed to scare people into action, but that type of tactic rarely creates lasting change. Other techniques are needed for that. Looking back at the projects I mentioned, I suppose they were not true "burning platforms" since there were still those who felt that the projects were feasible as-is. Still, I think the insight I got out of that section of the training was valid. There is a time to switch and there are always those who would rather stick with the status quo, no matter how broken. As PMs, we need to know when to make the change and how to manage it. In that regard, I guess I was successful in one case and not in the other. Harry Hi Sean,

Thanks for the reference to the book “Switch” and the section on a burning platform. I looked that section up on Google Books. If I understand correctly, the authors’ point is that a Burning Platform metaphor is designed to scare people into action, but that type of tactic rarely creates lasting change. Other techniques are needed for that.

Looking back at the projects I mentioned, I suppose they were not true “burning platforms” since there were still those who felt that the projects were feasible as-is. Still, I think the insight I got out of that section of the training was valid. There is a time to switch and there are always those who would rather stick with the status quo, no matter how broken. As PMs, we need to know when to make the change and how to manage it. In that regard, I guess I was successful in one case and not in the other.

Harry

]]> By: Sean Murphy http://theasicguy.com/2010/03/01/the-burning-platform/#comment-1714 Sean Murphy Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:38:21 +0000 http://theasicguy.com/2010/03/01/the-burning-platform/#comment-1714 You might pick up a copy of "Switch" by the Heath brothers, they have a good critique of the significant limitations of the "burning platform" model for project management / project change. You might pick up a copy of “Switch” by the Heath brothers, they have a good critique of the significant limitations of the “burning platform” model for project management / project change.

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