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

Chapter 11. What is Design, and How Long Does it Take?

"Quit?" Jenny asked me. "Just because of you?" Sometimes my wife has a way of making me feel inconsequential.

"Well, at least partly because of me," I told her, trying to preserve my place among the causes of Al Burton's resignation.

"Is anybody worried that he might help your competitor scoop you on the WindSailor?" My wife, always the cheerful one.

"No one seems too concerned," I told her. "My biggest concern is Martha's health." Her coughing fit of yesterday had led to a visit to the hospital today. The doctors said she just needed to rest, and to quit smoking her pipe. According to Natalie, this diagnosis had confirmed Martha's low opinion of the medical establishment.

"I've always told you that you'd get to like Martha if you just gave her a chance," Jenny said. I didn't bother to correct her about my true motive. "Mom told me to say that Martha would like to see you tomorrow if you're not too busy. She seems to be getting fond of you, too!" All this fondness was making Jenny very happy.

Just thenmy daughter came downstairs. "Daddy, Daddy, look at my ribbon. I won the chess tournament. I beat all of the older kids!" This was definitely good news and I picked her up and gave her a big hug.

Normal in every other way, Sarah became fascinated with chess when she was four. At first, I thought she just wanted to put the pieces in her mouth, but right from the beginning, she wanted to learn how to play, just like a grown-up. ...