(Posted on July 18, 2009)

As we noted on our Executive PM Challenge page, we're hearing a lot of nonsense from some middle managers who claim their executives don't want to talk about quality; only about projects meeting baselined schedules.

This assertion is ridiculous on its face., but, since someone, somewhere, somehow has to stand up for truth, justice and the American Way, it might as well be us here at Bluejeans Place.

We issue the following project management challenge to America's middle managers: We're looking for any middle manager's written proof that any executive superior to them directed one or more of the following actions:

• Deleted or neglected the quality aspects of any project's product in order to meet a project's baseline schedule

• Refused a request to extend a project's schedule or rebaseline it so time could be used to address the project's product quality issues

• Refused a request to reduce the project scope so the baseline schedule of the smaller project could be met

• Refused to discuss the impact of the project's baseline schedule on the quality aspects of the project's product

Since we're standing up for truth, justice and the American Way, we will verify all submissions with the executive concerned.  We will also issue a written challenge to that executive requesting a guest editorial from him or her.

Our contention is no executive ever gives those sorts of directions to the staff; the middle managers, on the other hand, stupidly believe--and tell their staffs--that's the executive's position!

If a middle manager's submission is verified by his or her executive, we'll post it within 24 hours on a page titled:

"Learn a New Executive PM Technique:  Getting garbage on time!" 

We will also post a rebuttal editorial to this "new executive PM technique."  We have the rebuttal editorial title already written:

"Do stakeholders know they pay for this nonsense?"

Note:  The name, address, position, phone number and organization of the submitter and executive is required on all submissions.

Editorial Comment by Bluejeans

For obvious reasons, I doubt any middle manager will accept our challenge, but then again, I may be surprised.  (A Bluejeans Place editorial several years ago rebutting, point by point, an Internet chain letter full of bigotry towards all Muslims resulted in at least six e-mail responses claiming such bigotry is perfectly correct and acceptable in today's America!)

February 4, 2012 Update

As of today, we've received no responses to this challenge leading us to believe this purported problem of excecutives not caring about quality, only about meeting baselined schedule is nothing but an urban legend.  We'll keep this challenge posted, but doubt anyone will take us up on it!