September always seems like a fresh start, more so than January. Students are heading back to school. The leaves are beginning to change color, fall, and start a new life cycle. Partners and DFCI begin their new fiscal year. But for me, perhaps the biggest sense of autumn renewal is… new shows on fall TV!
I do love a good drama, sitcom, and even some reality shows. As I was creating my spreadsheet of new fall shows (did I just say that out loud?), I wondered what, if any, parallels I could draw between some TV shows and project management.
Scandal – Fixer Olivia Pope is the ULTIMATE project manager. I’m glad we don’t have to solve the problems she has to clean up, but she’s called in, assesses the situation, assigns roles, communicates throughout, considers risks every which way from Sunday, manages issues as they inevitably arise, and boom the situation is resolved and she’s at home in her white comfy clothes with a glass of red wine.
Chicago Fire – The workers in Firehouse 51 take teamwork to heart. They run into burning buildings after each other, for each other, despite each other. They follow Chief Boden because he’s their commander but also because they trust him. And when they get together as a team for a community cause, it can be a tearjerker.
Mr. Robot – Elliot’s got his issues, but we could really use him on our IS security projects.
Lost – Best project show ever. Dharma Initiative = Stretch assignment. Jack = Superstar PM. Kate = Fills in for PM when needed. Ben = Wants to be the PM. Hurley = Faithful core team member. Locke = Team’s problem solver. Sawyer = Wants off the team island. The Tailies = Additional resources. The Others = Uncooperative vendor. The Smoke Monster = Constant issue. Winner of a PIE Emmy Award.
How to Get Away with Murder – This show pretty much exemplifies the antithesis of the Project Manager Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct required by PMPs.
Charlie’s Angels. Charlie = Best. Sponsor. Ever.
Shark Tank – Is this what it feels like to request money at a DFCI Capital Management Committee meeting?
60 Minutes – Most accurate schedule. Always airs. Starts late when football or golf runs late. But always runs for 60 minutes. Never 30 minutes. Never 90 minutes. Always 60 minutes.
All HGTV house renovation shows – I want them to be real. I really do. At least they have the formula down: scope / budget / schedule. But they really need a better change control process.
Law and Order, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order: Trial by Jury, Law & Order: LA – When you’ve got too much law and order for one show, you’ve got to spread it out in multiple series, like phases to projects. Epic: IS Victims Unit, anyone?
Survivor – How much better would our projects go if team members had to face a tribal council at the end of every week?
What shows are on your DVR?
Very true and very funny – great post – Deb
Favorite all time blog! Epic might move from IS Victims unit to Survivor…
This is great. The highlight of my day. Thanks.
This was hilarious, thanks Deb! Loved it!
Awesome post. Glad I am not the only TV junkie. You just showed how TV can help in real life. Too bad this won’t be read by many children looking for a reason to watch more TV.