Skip to main content

Signal-to-Noise Ratio


In the project management and change management world, there is a tool commonly used called a stakeholder analysis. It's should be used to identify people that could torpedo your project. 

If only that was the case. 

Many people use a stakeholder analysis to identify everyone that needs to be informed on the project's status. 
I remember sitting in a meeting reviewing a stakeholder analysis and it might as well have been a dump from the HR system listing the entire corporate hierarchy all the way down to the summer intern. 
The goal of any manager is to reduce the amount of noise in the system (increase the signal-to-noise ratio). This ultimately means streamlining communication. It kills me when an email goes out with hundreds of people in the To: and even more in the Cc... You are essentially asking for unnecessary noise which leads to decreased productivity. 
It kills me when the answer to solving a problem is to insert even more management. That also reduces the signal-to-noise ratio and increases the probability that the problem will not get solved. 
So here's my advice. For stakeholder communication, the best path is always the direct path. Identify the potential land mines (i.e., people) and develop a strategy to neutralize those land mines. On the flip side, identify the advocates and develop a strategy for them as well. But don't introduce more management noise into the system. There isn't a noise-canceling device made to handle that type of static. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I'm Back!

  Probably not an even close comparison to the return of MJ. But the feeling is there.  It's been a few years to say the least.  I blame Covid... and my lack of motivation to put anything out on the inter-web.  That said, it's a different time and I'm a lot older. Things have changed, but they haven't.  I'm still trying to find that next gig.  Breaking through this so-called barrier of being a company leader or executive still alludes me.   And all my friends are more successful than I am.  So cheers to that. I look forward to writing more.  Cheers - PB 
Post a Comment
Read more

The Thing About Cheese

The book, "Who Moved My Cheese?" has been on my bookshelf for more than a few years. Quite honestly, I don't remember if I read it end to end. So I picked it up and the story vaguely started coming back to me which means that I did read it, but didn't really READ it.  My thing about business self-help books like these are that the concepts and ideas being communicated don't really sit with you unless you are in a situation that makes the ideas hit home.  It's like being a sports analyst without having never really played the sport.  Nothing makes it real like having the experience.  A quote that hit home for me was,  "...a change imposed is a change opposed."  And yet this is how many corporations impose  their edicts expect change to happen within a workforce that is more than happy to oppose  the guys in the ivory tower.  Yes I'm talking about the latest safety policy, finance department "guidance", or expense policy ch...
Post a Comment
Read more

Diary of a Job Search

 I am not any stranger to looking for a new job.  When I was in big firm management consulting, I used to say, "The one thing about this job is that you are always looking for the next one."  Whether you are on the bench or on an engagement, you should always be spending time out of your day planting seeds for the next engagement or job opportunity.  Unfortunately, I have not followed my own advice in over a decade.  Now, I'm  trying to resurrect relationships and break through AI job site filters -- and all the job search horror stories that happen on LinkedIn are happening to me. Whether you haven't looked for a job in a few weeks or since before COVID, here's what I've learned:  There are people that genuinely want to help. Cherish those people and reciprocate accordingly.  There are people that you thought you knew, that will disappear on you. (I think the kids call it ghosting). I'll be honest in that I'm no angel. I'm sure I've done it to...
Post a Comment
Read more