I'VE LEARNED

My background is in Web Programming - and it helps to know that the development cycle of web applications applies the same for makeover projects :0) Failures on past projects might haunt me back - so I will list the things that I've learned so far.

• PRAY FOR THE PROJECT. - Know whom it is for!
• KNOW YOUR RESOURCES (MAN, MATERIALS, METHODS, MACHINERY). - Work within a budget and stick with it!
• BE ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR CHEAPER SOURCES OF MATERIALS. - Canvass, canvass, canvass! (*for location, location, location - nah, that line is more for realtors - 3 secrets of buying a good property :0) )
• IDENTIFY THE ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED. - It helps to set a matrix in order of priority: "URGENT, IMPORTANT", "URGENT, NOT IMPORTANT", "NOT URGENT, IMPORTANT", "NOT URGENT, NOT IMPORTANT" or the "NICE-TO-HAVES".
• DEFINE A TIMETABLE. - Let it be SMART or even SMARTER! (SMART + exciting or ethical + recorded)
• EXPECT FAILURES. - Aim for perfection, but expect minor imperfections. "Anything that can go wrong, will" :0) - Murphy's law is here to stay !!!
• BE FLEXIBLE. - Because there is no such thing as perfect, be creative to make necessary changes, be flexible enough to adapt it. YAHOO - "you always have other options!" - and as they say in Perl - "there's more than one way to do it!"
• ENSURE QUALITY. - Quality is not just the responsibility of those who will be in-charge of a particular task. It's everyone's responsibility. Convey your ideas. Convey your standards. Continously check for quality. Even talk about TQM as needed hehe. Pag naman gumamit ka pa ng SPC, exag na yan haha!
• KEEP EVERYTHING SIMPLE. KISS! - Right from the planning stage, consider making everything simple for those who will be in-charge for that task. ex. Using a standard 4'x8' plywood measurement so that the carpenters won't have to cut anymore. It will also do wonders in lowering your material costs.
• IDENTIFY DEPENDENCIES. - TEAM - "together everyone achieves more!" Delegate, delegate as needed. More particular in a church setting, ask others for help so they too can be proud of their contribution. But having too many delegates might also increase dependencies. You need to balance your purpose for the project - is your timeframe a big concern? do you want this project to provide a venue for team building?
• REVIEW. - Regularly check the budget and the team's accomplishments.
• LAST. - Listen, Advise, Solve, Thank. - foster a team environment - don't ever argue or threaten. Everybody can benefit from a Win-Win strategy. No MELVIN (Mediocrity, Ego, Limits, Vanity, Incompetence, Name-calling)! Don't forget your "THANK YOU"...Di ako bakla! este Di ako si Darna! - mapapansin kaya sa dame ng ‘yong ginagawa... more of the kamikazee lyrics here
• just added 2 days after - 9/6/6 - BUILD WITHIN THE PREFERENCES AND CONVENIENCE OF YOUR TARGET USERS. - Common sense stuff - like for a church setting, minimize the use of color black - or for a church wedding, don't use dark green when their mottif is aqua green :0) Yes, it has to be built for their convenience too - don't let them figure anymore how things work - love the title of this book that we bought before in my previous company - DON'T MAKE ME THINK !

JOB - Just Over Broke,
Huram :)
09/04/06
hmm, personally, what i've learned today - i've learned that with God, i WILL ALWAYS BE fine. yea, this day was tough, both financially and emotionally - hehe. Huram is fine now. - corrected on being FINE 'Fanatical, Insecure, Neurotic and Emotional' - we all are at times - 'Feelings Inside Not Expressed' - thank God, He wakes us up all the time - free us from traps - 'It's all about You, Jesus'. - time to cook - Huram is discovering another joy - Huram can now cook!!!