Problem Déjà Vu – When Familiar Problems Repeat and Cascade in Tech & Digital

You know it when you see it. A problem popping up in your department, your team, your process, your systems. One that you’ve seen before. Not just once, but over and over again. And not just that problem, but the many other problems caused by it – the cascade of challenges that come with it.

The “patch up” code that was implemented to put out a fire three years ago which still requires a continual workaround, generating 10 extra service tickets every week.

The weak governance process that continues to create stakeholder and communication challenges.

The ill-defined roles and responsibilities on the team that create tension, misunderstanding and confusion.

The skimping on quality that was forced through just to “get the thing live”, now requiring an extra 8 hours per week for someone just to manage the workarounds.

It’s kind of like when you’re at home gardening. Pulling out all those weeds that have been rearing their ugly heads (in my case for the last 8 months – surely I would have made the time during the lockdowns right?!). The satisfaction from the heroic effort of pulling them all up.. Only to notice, as you’re hauling them off to the bin, the little seeds from their blooms that have scattered and blown all around the garden in the epic effort to clear the garden of them. “Damn!”, you think to yourself, as you haul your bag of cleared weeds off to the bin.

I’ve been there and I know exactly how it can be!

If you’re interested in reading more about what can be done do to address these challenges that we all face in Tech & Digital, you can download my white paper: Agility in Continuous Improvement. Beyond the firefighting – how leaders in Tech & Digital can have a freer schedule, less stress, and a happier and more engaged team.

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