Making It Happen: A Non-Technical Guide to Project Management

Chapter 24. Checking Assumptions

The elm-lined trees of Darfield worked their usual magic as I drove to my in-laws' house. During the past year, in my distracted state of mind, I failed to notice the regal splendor of the old trees and the beautiful old houses. Today was different. I purposefully took my time, drinking in the exquisite visual.

"Hey, mister, watch where you're going!" I jerked the steering wheel to the left, barely avoiding a twelve year-old on a skateboard. "You been drinking, buddy? Or just learning to drive?" I thought I had been a little more polite when I was twelve. Or maybe this guy was a 30 year old midget with an attitude.

"Daddy, you should be more careful," Sarah said solemnly. She had asked to come along with me to visit her great-grandmother.

I quickly drove the remainder of Elm Street to Fred and Natalie's place and pulled into the driveway. I had intended this trip as kind of a thank-you pilgrimage where I would pay homage to Martha's wisdom. It was now August 28, almost a year to the day since I had been tapped for the WindSailor assignment. Demand for our product had continued unabated. By adding extra shifts, we had managed to exceed the most optimistic production estimates, and everyone at Hyler was feeling very good about the prospects for next year and beyond. More important to me, there had been no problems with the production facilities, all of the information systems were operating without glitches, and our new workforce was fitting in well. ...