Work update (yes, finally)
12/14/2006 09:34:00 AM
So I know I've been promising a work update for a long time.. I've been busy at work and busy at home (and haven't spent enough time outside) and busy with Christmas stuff and all kinds of jazz, and I just didn't want to get in to it. But I can now. I'm starting to feel like I have things under control (on all fronts, other than the "being outside" one), so I feel ready to talk about stuff now.
I also had to hold off for official work reasons.. And because I don't know who does (or doesn't) read this, I'm going to tread lightly..
Anyway, about a month ago (has it really been that long already?) I was asked to take over as Team Leader at work (think: Office Space: "We're ready to put as many as [2] people directly beneath you."). My former supervisor was leaving (his contract has since been extended, but now he reports to me), and they needed someone to not only fill his shoes but really step up and take charge of everything he was responsible for and a lot of other changes that are currently facing our team. I took the weekend to think about it and discuss with Dana, and accepted on Monday of the following week.
So, I'm a "Team Lead" now. Basically, I serve as a first-line manager to two other people but I'm not called a manager. It's a small step, but I intend to make it more than that.
But we're faced with a lot of challenges. One of my first goals is to make sure that anyone in the future faced with the situation I currently am (learn as quickly as possible about everything our team does) has a much easier time of things, so currently the three of us who will remain on the team are tasked (basically, by me) with documenting everything our team is responsible for (about 90 disparate programs) before the end of January. And understanding the programs well enough that we can service them in the case of a problem.
One of the biggest problems with our team as it exists now is, frankly, nobody is expendable. Which is great job security in a personal respect, but a shitty way to run a business. I'm doing my best to fix that problem. I want to be able to leave the account and move on to bigger and better things. IBM does a ton of good work around the world, and I want to be a part of that. The best way for me to jump to a new assignment (that fulfills me) is to do well in this one, so that's what I'm focusing on.
Another huge problem we have is that we have never really been good at following protocol (think: Jack Bauer in 24 for a really sexy version of what I do). Every time we change something (wording on a web page, adding a new function to a report, putting a new program into production, etc), my team is supposed to fill out (virtual) paperwork, get it approved, and implement it within a certain timeframe (with allowances and documented plans for backing out, etc). All a great idea, but a tremendous amount of time representing little actual change. So my team has been... let's say less than great at following these protocols. Well, that can't happen anymore, and that will be a big adjustment. Add to that the fact that we have to seek approval from another group for every change and it sounds like it'll be a challenge to get ANYTHING into production anymore. Luckily we have about a month to figure this out, as there is a prohibition against putting anything in production for the next month. In the long term, it will serve us well to get some of these tasks established, but in the short term it's going to be a bit of a nightmare.
Anyway, I've probably gone into too much detail already and bored everyone to death so I'll shut up now. Just wanted things to be "out there" finally.
I'm really excited about this opportunity but a bit overwhelmed at times as well. Yesterday = overwhelmed. Today = cautiously optimistic. Let's just say I can't wait until next Friday, when my vacation starts (and I won't come back to work until 1/2/07!). That's my current short-term goal.
Later!
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4 Comments:
Congrats on the new role. I'm sure things will ease up after you get everything documented and are following new processes.
Change control is a pain in the arse sometimes but it is a lot easier to explain (especially now as a lead) if something goes wrong on a scheduled change rather than one off the cuff.
posted at 10:45 AM
Congrats Mark. It will smooth out and sounds like a great opportunity :)
posted at 12:49 PM
What is with people and trying to get ahead? Feel like I am getting left in the dust here.
posted at 12:43 PM
The world needs ditchdiggers, too, Danny. I mean, BJ.
posted at 3:23 PM
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