Adam on Projects (Quotations Edition)
Adam On: Projects (Quotations Edition) collates more than 10 axioms from Adam on: Projects Volumes 1 and 2. This selection of unique project management axioms are all based on quotations. In addition to curating axioms from the two main volumes, the Quotations Edition offers two axioms unique to this edition.
The tables below show all the axioms in the Quotations Edition, organised by their origin: Volume 1, Volume 2 or Original to this book.
Axiom Index
Original to the Quotations Edition:
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Axiom |
Source |
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# 119. Perfection in projects - Project perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away. |
Quotations Edition |
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# 120. Things a PM Should Never Do. - A project manager should never complain, explain, resign or editorialise. |
Quotations Edition |
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From Volume 1:
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Axiom |
Source |
|---|---|
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# 14. Proceed until apprehended! - Proceed until apprehended! | |
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# 15. First Action! Then see what happens. - First Action! Then see what happens. | |
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# 3. Why do projects fail? - Projects fail because we make them fail! | |
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# 24. A project is a bridge. - A project is a bridge to an unknown but envisioned future. | |
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# 17. There are two contrary forces in the world! - In the long run, the forces of the bazaar will always overcome the forces of the cathedral. | |
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# 40. Assumptions have Boxian qualities. - Project assumptions have Boxian qualities (wrong but useful), but some are more wrong and less useful than others. | |
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# 57. It's great to be the first penguin off the ice! - In a project, you\'re always the first penguin off the ice, so you may as well enjoy the swim. | |
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# 58. Everyone is fine with your risk management plan. - Everyone is fine with your risk management plan - until they get punched in the face! |
From Volume 2:
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Axiom |
Source |
|---|---|
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# 63. Realisation of a Shared Vision - A shared vision is the only mandatory element of any project; everything else is optional. | |
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# 64. Sequential is not a dirty word! - 'Sequential' is not a dirty word! | |
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# 71. Fred Brooks was 100% correct in 1975—now, I'm not sure. - If you're going to break the law, break Brooks's Law. | |
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# 80. There are no bad documents. - There are no bad documents, only bad knowledge management. | |
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# 88. The evils of premature optimisation impact projects too. - Every aspect of project management is harmed by premature optimisation. | |
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# 111. You fell in love with the project, didn't you? - You can fall in love with the project, but the project doesn't fall in love with you. | |
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# 112. A nasty little aphorism that misleads. - Truly great project managers (and people) can do, teach, create learning materials, and create new concepts. | |
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# 114. Dematerialisation is eating your project! - Dematerialisation is eating your project. |