It was when I first started working near software development (many, many years ago) that I began hearing the word ‘requirements’ a lot. Then I trained to become a business analyst, which, if you trust the theory, equates to gathering requirements for most of your life, and then you draw some process maps in the end. One could wonder, is it really that big a deal, to commit nearly a full time job to it? Having done it for a while, I can assure you: it is. To get a new somethi

Let’s talk about solving problems. Can you try thinking of a situation where, having identified a problem, you thought of a solution for it, implemented it and then the problem didn’t really go away? You would then go back to trying to figure out what was wrong, coming up with other possible solutions and getting there eventually, after a bumpy ride, tired, and maybe thinking: this shouldn’t have been that difficult? Say, a computer refusing to do what you’ve asked not becaus

People commonly say to me ‘you’re the most organised person I’ve ever known’. For a nerd like me, it’s a nice thing to hear. I believe what people think of me is: she’s a robot, effortlessly juggling multiple tasks, always able to find an email or a document needed for evidence, always on time. What they don’t appreciate is the system* behind the scenes, which I have built and keep improving, to deserve that opinion. *Before I dive into it, note: what works for me may not wo

You would probably agree with me if I said that to do things right means: to do things efficiently. Let's spend a moment considering what this means. In my previous posts, I stressed the importance of discipline and good time management. These are important building blocks of a smooth process journey, which I think about as the quickest possible, successful route from start to finish. Because this is what it's all about - achieving goals without hassle. If we tried to define

There is a project to complete. How do you know how much time it's going to take? A project could be anything, as long as it is time-bound and delivers something at the end. According to the Association for Project Management (APM), a project is a unique, transient endeavour, undertaken to achieve planned objectives, which could be defined in terms of outputs, outcomes or benefits. A project brings change - as opposed to BAU (business-as-usual), which ensures consistency and

I am probably not very far off from the truth when I say: every conscious action is aimed at achieving something. We do things for a reason - big things and small. Especially small, because big things can't be achieved without the small ones that make them. Every activity is a process. Following processes leads to achievements, completions of tasks, projects. And in so doing, we value efficiency. We like things hassle-free, straight to 'done', if possible. In reality, it hard

Imagine a world where everyone does their best. People consider others at all times and try to predict the consequences of their own choices. Drivers are always vigilant, accepting that errors happen to both them and others, keeping safe distance, allowing for the unforeseen. Roads are planned and built with due diligence, enabling predictable maintenance and minimising emergency repairs. Customer service is painless because processes are designed ahead of time, making every