Project Management: How to Eat an Elephant


By Charles Boyer


1. Size up the entire job. Make sure you have a good grasp of the scope of the total project. Just how big and complex is that job? Walk around it. Take a look from many different perspectives. Make sure you have a clear idea of the whole before attacking the parts.

2. Sift through the mess. Sort out and throw away everything that isn’t elephant. There will be plenty of elephant parts for you to digest – don’t take on any more than is absolutely necessary.

3. Imagine eating the last bite. Before you begin, visualize yourself eating that very last bite of elephant. Keep that image in your mind as you get started, and stay focused on getting the job done, no matter what.

4. Design a strategy. How long a time do you have to complete this project? What are the steps you need to take? What’s the best order to eat all the parts? My computer – guru nephew coined a term to describe breaking down huge data files into workable bunches – chunkify. An excellent description – chunkify that elephant!

5. Gather the tools you will need. Make sure you have all the necessary equipment before you start. What do you need to get the job done? Chainsaws? Meat cleavers? Sharp knife and fork? Tums for your tummy?

6. Get some help. Don’t try to do it all yourself – you need a team. Make the job look attractive, whatever it takes – mustard, pickle relish, barbecue sauce – and you’ll have people clamoring for a chance to help you. Hey, that technique worked for Tom Sawyer, didn’t it?

7. Decide what to eat first. Decide which is the worst part (use your imagination here!) and plan to eat that worst part first. Once that’s out of the way, the rest of that elephant may be quite tasty – or at least it will seem so by comparison.

8. Take a bite. Whatever it takes, you must begin. Then take another bite. Then another. Set a pace for yourself, keep going, and don’t allow yourself to quit for any reason. How long does it take to eat an elephant? As the old story goes – a bite at a time and a couple of years, and you’ll be done.

9. Clean up your plate. You can do it. How much of that elephant is left? The excuse that you are “90 percent done” means that you’re trying to hide the other 10 percent of that elephant somewhere. Finish the job.

10. Celebrate your success! Congratulations! You finished the task – all of it. That elephant is now history, and your project is complete. High fives all around for a job well done. Now, what’s for dessert?

CHARLES BOYER, Ed.D., a music educator, conductor and arts executive for more than 40 years, has taught, conducted, and coached a wide variety of people, from pubescents to prima donnas in middle schools, high schools, and universities. Charlie’s leadership and organizational skills and a commitment to mentoring small business and educational leaders are prominent features of his coaching and consulting practice, Infinite Perspectives (http://www.infiniteperspectives.com), and an administrative resource service, LeaderSavers Weblog (http://www.leadersavers.com).


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