Epic

Software Project Health

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An epic is retold. The actors are familiar but the roles are different. Arjuna is a Program Manager responsible for delivering a set of projects to enhance the defence of the city of Hastinapura; Krishna his coach and mentor. Arjuna faces the challenges and his self-doubt in the high-stakes game competing with the Kauravas to deliver software products that are effective and of lasting robustness. To achieve that, Arjuna aspires to ensure sustained “health” of his projects as opposed to the Kauravas who are approaching the challenge ready to cut all corners for short-term success.

Arjuna and Krishna with a focus on means and not just the ends, together evolve a project health framework for effective delivery, assurance of outcomes and robust products. This is the story of their fascinating journey of discovery interacting with project teams and stakeholders to develop new perspectives in managing projects. The end result is a comprehensive set of project Vital Signs and their manifestations and a 360-degree assessment approach – a framework for early warning to address the not-uncommon syndrome of projects being “in the pink of health till yesterday but in ICU today”.