I have never worked on a group software or web development project that was completed on time, except when working with top-notch, experienced project managers, in other words, iron-fisted filthy liars. Here is how they work:
Upon receiving a task to complete, these project managers first ensure that no direct communication occurs between the client and developers. Then they ask developers for hourly time estimates. Upon receiving an optimistic appraisal they nod, and silently multiply it by (at least) two. Based on this augmented hourly estimate, they calculate a timeline in dates. Then they multiply by two again. This is the deadline the client gets. But the real trick: don’t tell the developers. They will think they are still sticking to their original time estimate. They will get stressed out, they will miss their deadline, but because they think the client will kick ass, they will stay up late to get it done shortly after their original deadline. And that, my friends, is how to deliver a product ahead of deadline to the client.
Corollary 1: Developers cannot also be project managers, unless they learn to lie to themselves.
Corollary 2: Clients cannot be project managers.
Corollary 3: Excellent project managers are not a waste of space and oxygen.
This is dedicated to my favorite projektfuhrers.
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[...] year, I wrote about one secret of successful project managers: strategic lying. If your programmer tells you a task will be done in three days, it will be done in a week, and you [...]