Communication. In general.
Work in the IT field has always been opaque to those outside it. As the rate of technological change and adoption increases - it becomes all the more important to understand the dichotomy between technical and business stakeholders; with a view to understand risks that poor communication between these groups create.
Executive Summary
Communication between any entities (business or otherwise) with disparate goals is difficult. Unpacking just how much so can be bewildering - is there a solution? Maybe.
Years past, a close colleague of mine delivered an astute line to me recently in response to my frustrated diatribe: A decision was made which I felt ignored advice provided by the technical SME’s - which ex post, would inevitably prove deleterious to longer term sucess to a project. I didn’t know this at the time of the conversation.
They said:
We commuticate to effect an outcome. If the outcome you want isn’t being realised, your communication strategy needs to change.
I was somewhat nonplussed by the sheer simplicity of the assertion. Like many of the the day to day businessy type aphorisms that surround us: it seems almost trite in it’s simplicity. You must walk before you can run!…The key to success is failing. Often, and quickly.… I won’t bore you with their repetition.
What was different here however, was a call to a direct action for me to consider day to day - not just in how I communicate, but WHY. Again - almost trite, but again, worth considering. I wan’t a payrise - you’ve gotta vote with your feet.ß
Final Thoughts
…Lorem Ipsor…