Time is a scarce resource …
… And the one you have the most control over.
I was letting people into a training session this morning at TheCodeFactory. The board room is designed to hold 16 people. The trainer called me in and pointed out that there were only 2 extra seats and they were expecting 3 more people, shouldn’t I look to find another chair for when the 3 people arrived.
The response was “when the third person arrives I will find them a chair.” My thinking was that right now this isn’t a problem and I have other stuff to do. The risk is relatively low and I know where to find a chair, why solve a problem that doesn’t exist.
When managing time does a stitch in time save nine or is solving problems that don’t exist frittering away valuable resources on useless pursuits?
Time will tell.
Ian Graham
Actually Ian that was very lean of you. You were working on a ‘pull’ basis. I.E. waiting until there was demand to find the chairs vs. a ‘push’ basis finding the chairs and hoping people would fill them. Next you will show me how you demonstrate flow at the Code Factory and then I will be all teary eyed.
Ah this brings back the memories of the discussion me & you had about how time is the most valuable thing.
Thank you for the comments Mark & Cory.
Wow … I’m Agile and didn’t even know it. I am a huge believer in pull versus push strategies for just about everything.
Cory, I remember our conversation well and often think about your phrase “Time once spent” … no regrets.