Letter from a reader

Recently, I exchanged a few emails with a reader who wanted to know how he could demonstrate the value of CM and testing to senior management. My colleague writes, "I am having difficulty convincing my management to keep me on the team. My management does not see the value to the organization." Many of my articles discuss exactly how to demonstrate value and that would be a valid and important effort. This note however triggered a memory of times in my own career when I realized that it was time to leave the organization that I worked for because there was no possibility of being successful.

Resistance to Change

Sometimes organizations are ready for change. Often they are not. Trying to implement a CM (or testing) process can be a fruitless effort. Usually, when an organization wants someone with an Industrial Psychology background they realize that they need help in organizational change and process improvement. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes, two weeks into the effort, I discover that the reason that I was hired is exactly why I cannot succeed! There are good reasons why some organizations cannot change and improve their processes on their own. The good news is that this is usually when we also have the greatest successes! (I like a good challenge!)

Should you stay or should you leave?

Sometimes you won't be able to do anything to help the organization because there is just too much resistance. A period, as short as six months may find the organization is a different place and being completely open to change. In my own career, I have asked to be reassigned to a Unix administration job (twice) when it was obvious that I was not going to be successful in my role as a process improvement guru. (I have the technical background and I love patching Unix kernels.) But the important issue here is that rather than try to demonstrate my value to the organization sometimes, it is better to be flexible enough to be reassigned to something else until things change (or you find another job).

How do you add value?

Trying to convince your management that CM and Testing add value can be very frustrating. I recommend that you start by asking what needs to be done. What are the business priorities? If CM and Testing are important then this will come out of the discussion. Otherwise, be flexible enough to focus on doing something else that does add value (as perceived by your boss and colleagues). I believe that being flexible will result in you getting to a productive place faster than trying keep pushing against a resistant organization. Developing a broader skill set will also help you (especially in a tough job market).

What skills do you want to pursue?

Even when I am not job searching, I read the help wanted ads and keep job search agents running. I want to know what skills are in demand and what technologies I need to be learning to stay at the top of my field. Don't be surprised when these are exactly the skills that you need to help your boss address the challenges of today's technology environment.

The value of CM and Testing

I always ask people what they do well and what could be improved. It's hard to imagine a company that does not value defect free software and the ability to have solid software configuration and release management practices. If your management really doesn't believe that this is important then you need to either be flexible to perform a different role or look for a new job. Demonstrating value is a two way street. You have to base your presentation upon facts and your management has to be open to listening. I love joining an organization AFTER they have just had a CM or testing related disaster!

New Years Resolutions

Well then, it is certainly a good time to resolve to be more flexible. Learning new technical (and people!) skills are also good goals. Focusing on what needs to be done from a business perspective is essential in today's environment. Resolving to get or stay current on skills that are in demand is important to adding value to the organization. Most of all resolving to follow through and see that the job is done is done completely is one of the most important goals that any employee can achieve. Adding value to an organization makes you more valuable and marketable to both your current employer and any other company that you may wish to join in the coming year!

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