“Easier than it seems” is a business novel about what programmers are still capable of.
- Sergey, welcome, glad to see! Come in, sit down. - Kurchatov stood up, stretched out his hand to Sergey through a large table, and sincerely smiled. At least, it seemed to Sergey that the smile was sincere. If it wasn’t, it simulated Kurchatov very well - the rich experience of communicating with people was clearly felt. I wanted to learn a lot from such a person.
- Sergey, this is not a formal meeting, not for a report on the work done. - entered the head of the table Voronin. - Yevgeny Viktorovich often meets with employees, especially new ones, to keep abreast of events, moods, problems and successes.
“Yes, Sergey, you are a relatively new person,” Kurchatov said. - and I am very interested in what impression you have of our company during our work. I do not want to limit you to specific topics, say whatever you see fit.
Sergey was covered with a slight panic. He did not prepare for the meeting, and did not know what to talk with the owner about. Not a list of solved problems to tell him? He probably is not even close to what programmers are doing. At previous places of work, he had not been able to communicate with the top officials of the company like this, only within the framework of general meetings for some projects.
- Then let me start first, okay? - Kurchatov felt the awkwardness of the moment, and decided to move the suspended Sergei from the dead center. - How do you evaluate your results for six months? What are you especially proud of?
- The results are not bad, but, of course, it could be better. - the leading question clearly helped Sergei. - We managed to launch the first stage of the automated production management system.
- Yes, Galina also spoke about this project, she was here half an hour ago. Brilliant result! What is the further development of this system?
- Now there is no automatic planning, determining the order of launching orders into production, and, accordingly, calculating the deadlines for the production of finished products. We have already begun work on this part of the system, we will continue.
“Great, this is a very important aspect of production management.” Now we have problems with this - sometimes we break delivery times, because sellers take them from the ceiling - there is no system. From me there will be full support for this project, do not even hesitate.
- The only thing there are doubts in the timing of the implementation, because of this new project for the warehouse. I understand that we will need a serious contribution.
- Yes, this is a very important project, I have high hopes for it. You understand that a warehouse is a base, a basis for all accounting. Until we solve this problem, it makes no sense to move on, including planning.
- Yes, this is difficult to argue. Planning can not work normally without warehouse balances. There, after all, the security of the order materials must be understood to run the product. If there are no materials, we cannot produce anything.
- Great, I'm glad that we equally understand the priorities. I hope and I am sure that your department and personally you, Sergey, will render the maximum assistance to Valentina Petrova in the implementation of this project.
- We will help, of course. Only…
- Just? Any difficulties I don't know about? Speak, do not be shy, it is better to know everything in advance, while there is time to respond.
- It seems to me that the project will face another setback.
- That's so yes! Come on, tell me more.
- I have no specific arguments, or clear risks, just at the level of sensations ... I understand that Petrova will fail. This is not a task for the financial director.
- And for whom is this a task? - on the face of Kurchatov, played an ironic smile.
- For the engineer, system engineer. A person who will be able to compare all the processes, areas, information flows, losses ... And will create a new, correct system for solving this problem.
The smile from Kurchatov’s face disappeared, he was staring at Sergei as if he was trying to understand whether to take his words seriously. Voronin, who was clearly bored until this moment, was distracted from the laptop and began to carefully look at either Sergey or Kurchatov.
- Hmm ... An unexpected statement, Sergey. I feel that in your words there is a grain of truth ... Moreover, I myself have thought about something like that after yesterday’s meeting. As if something is missing, something is missing, in the very foundation ... But, to be honest, I don’t know what to do. Do you have any suggestions? Maybe we invite consultants? Look at the problem with a fresh look, from the side?
Sergei's hands were shaking, making it all the more uncomfortable. You can't hide them under the table, you can't cross them on your chest - sitting at the table it will look strange. One could turn a pencil in his hands, but, unfortunately, the stationery set stood at the end of the table - one would have to get up to reach it. As a result, Sergey simply hooked his fingers into the lock - not very aesthetically pleasing, but the shiver became inconspicuous.
Maybe go back down? - thought Sergey. - Looking around, saying that the proposal about external consultants is what you need, promise to provide maximum assistance, somehow get out of the situation. And why did I blurted out about the fact that Petrov did not cope? You can’t take words back, you start explaining and making excuses - you will look silly, like a senseless critic. So, okay, something needs to be said, the pause becomes awkward ...
- I would like to do this project myself. - unexpectedly, first of all for himself, Sergey blurted out.
All right, pan or gone. - thought Sergey. - Although, now they just praise for their initiative, and recommend that they direct their strength and energy to help Petrova. Well, okay, the main thing - decided.
Kurchatov stared at Sergei.
- Sergey, do you realize the importance of this project for the company? I really appreciate your initiative, but do not misunderstand me - I only saw you sitting at a computer, and this is not enough to introduce changes. It will be necessary to communicate with people, organize their work, manage them, work with conflicts. It is possible to dismiss someone. Insist, demand, convince, inspire, support. This is the work of a leader and a manager in one person. Will you cope with such a role? Did you have a similar experience?
- There was a similar experience - I managed projects of information systems implementation. There, too, had to talk more than work. I had to convince and inspire there too. I can’t say that I master it all masterfully, but how can I somehow develop? How else, if not in practice?
- I completely agree with this, and I always use “for” with both hands if someone wants to develop. But this is the project of the year, not a training ground. I need at least some confidence in success.
- Evgeny Viktorovich ... - after a short pause, Sergey squeezed out with dry lips. - I probably can not give you any guarantees, or confidence in success ... All that I can promise - I will try very hard. I have a strong inner conviction that I really understand how to do this project. I understand that in case of failure, you have every right to dismiss me, and you will be absolutely right, but I ...
- Stop-stop-stop, Sergey, do not make a monster out of me. You speak as if I only think how to find reasons to disperse all. It is not so, and that I should not hear it anymore. I really appreciate the initiative, and I like it when the employees themselves, without my pressure, take responsibility for changing the company for the better. And I am very glad that you want to become such a person - a driver of change.
- Anatoly, what do you think? - Kurchatov turned to Voronin. - Do not we constantly make the same mistake with you, assuming that the introduction of changes is the work of managers alone? Here Sergey, the programmer, came to us, and offers - notice, himself - to improve our company. And we are justifying, we are looking for some excuses ...
Kurchatov smiled ironically, looking at Voronin. Sergey literally physically felt relief from the fact that the attention of the owner switched to another person, and, in fact, to another question.
- I myself think that it's time to change the changes in the plane of line staff. - carefully, as always, choosing the words, spoke Voronin. - People in the field are better able to see problems in the processes, as well as ways to solve them. If such work is systematized, put on the rails, then the company can make a powerful breakthrough in its development. Still, from the high offices, the situation looks a little different, and the motivation of managers can be very different ...
- Well then, is it decided? - Kurchatov's mood clearly improved every minute. - Let's give Sergey the opportunity to prove himself in a new field? And then we'll see if this practice is worth scaling. Do you agree, Anatoly?
- I agree, with all your hands. We just need to think about how to divide the responsibilities and duties between Sergey and Valentina. I would not want to just remove it from the project, this is wrong ... politically.
- Yes, you're right ... We need to think ...
- Sergey, is it crucial for you to be a formal project manager? - asked Voronin. - Or is it enough to be a person who decides what to do and how, deals directly with work and change management, and can another person perform administration?
- And what do you suggest? - without waiting for Sergei, asked Kurchatov.
- I propose to do so, as is usually done in projects, according to classical methodology. Usually in a project there are two leadership roles - the manager or the project manager, and the administrator, or the sponsor, or the curator. The person who deals with resources, administrative work, negotiations and so on. Something like a producer, if the example of the film industry.
- Is Sergey the director?
- Yes, sort of.
- Great idea! - Kurchatov's face glowed with genuine joy. - Brilliant! And the interests of Valentina are not infringed. Formally, at the level of human understanding, it remains "main", and the success of the project will be its success.
- A failure will fail Sergei. - Voronin smiled. - I'm not serious, of course.
- Well, yes, yes ... Sergey, what do you say? We decided everything for you.
- I like the proposal of Anatoly Pavlovich. - Sergey was not cunning. “The only thing I do not know is how to say this to Petrova ...”
“Don't worry about it, I'll talk to her myself, today.” - said Kurchatov. - Wait for information from me.
- Well, everything is decided? - summed up Voronin. - Sergey, have any questions?
- Probably not ... It is necessary to think about everything carefully, get used to this thought, make a plan. When can we discuss next steps?
- Now after the New Year holidays. - said Kurchatov. - Get some rest, we are waiting for you with new forces, ideas full of energy and strength. And good luck to all of us!
Kurchatov stood up, shook Sergey's hand. Voronin did the same.
Sergey, as he could more easily, left the office. He exulted.