Author Archives: Scot

Give yourself time to think

Why is it we schedule time for meetings, but not time for thinking? Take a look at your calendar. If it’s like mine used to be, it’s a series of scheduled meetings with some blank space in between for more … Continue reading

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Some thoughts about commitments

No, this Blog is not dead. I think about it often; I just don’t have as much time as before to update it. I started taking some remote classes (what was I thinking?) and they are pretty much devouring every … Continue reading

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Is being “busy” a good thing?

Ask people from Gemini how they’re doing and the response you’ll most often hear is “Busy”.  This response begs the question: Are we really busier than other observatories, or do we just like to think we are?  I suspect it’s … Continue reading

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Resource Management: Focus on the workers, not the managers.

Inspired by the Norm Smith talk I recently heard (see previous post), I purchased his book Got Progress? and highly recommend it. I now have words to describe some of the unease I’ve been feeling about my workplace’s current project … Continue reading

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Additional Random Bits from the NASA PM Challenge, 2012

The annual NASA PM Challenge is a really good meeting. The speakers are generally excellent and the material covers a wide range from project management fundamentals to the latest great and innovative management ideas. The ratio of outstanding talks to … Continue reading

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Managing Cost, Schedule, and Scope is not enough.

Project Management 101 teaches the need to actively, and simultaneously, monitor and manage a project’s cost, schedule, and scope. Project Management 102 might add risk management to the list as well. These ideas have become fundamental tenets of project management … Continue reading

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On systems, processes, and paperwork

Lately, I’ve come across several proposed new systems, processes, and forms —  all developed to address an assumed real, but unstated need.  In most cases, I could see a useful purpose for the new system/process/form,  but it usually wasn’t provided … Continue reading

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Musings on the future of Astronomy

The future of astronomy seems clear to me right now. It goes through ESO. That’s not particularly bad, especially if you’re an ESO member, but if you’re not, things may be a little less good. With the addition of Brazil, … Continue reading

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