Comments on: Using methods vs “The Method” http://virtuallypriceless.org/blog/2010/05/using-methods-vs-the-method/ Reflections on Health, Informatics, and Research Mon, 25 Apr 2011 12:30:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: priceless http://virtuallypriceless.org/blog/2010/05/using-methods-vs-the-method/comment-page-1/#comment-5247 priceless Wed, 26 May 2010 02:31:19 +0000 http://virtuallypriceless.org/blog/2010/05/using-methods-vs-the-method/#comment-5247 Glen - Thanks for the thoughtful comment. I like the menu analogy, but isn't the comparison between a (pre-defined) five course meal and picking your own selection of appetizer, soup, salad, main and dessert? "...choose those things that create value." is a good rule of thumb and, yes, get invested in the project for the right reasons (that is, reasons that are right for you). -- Morgan Glen –

Thanks for the thoughtful comment. I like the menu analogy, but isn’t the comparison between a (pre-defined) five course meal and picking your own selection of appetizer, soup, salad, main and dessert?

“…choose those things that create value.” is a good rule of thumb and, yes, get invested in the project for the right reasons (that is, reasons that are right for you).

– Morgan

]]> By: Glen McCallum http://virtuallypriceless.org/blog/2010/05/using-methods-vs-the-method/comment-page-1/#comment-5243 Glen McCallum Tue, 25 May 2010 16:58:28 +0000 http://virtuallypriceless.org/blog/2010/05/using-methods-vs-the-method/#comment-5243 I view any capital-m "Method" like a menu in a restaurant. There is a complete set of process and tools to support the life cycle. However, which processes and tools to use is dependent on the uniqueness of the project itself. When I go to a restaurant, I never order the whole menu. Could you imagine? What I order depends on a number of things: the meal, how hungry I am, how much time I have, the company I'm dining with, etc. In the same way I believe that one should never follow a capital-m "Method" so strictly that you're creating every artifact and going through every step. It just doesn't make sense to me. You only choose those things that create value. The challenge is that this takes "Emotional Labour" (Seth Godin term). You have to genuinely invest thought, creativity, and effort. It takes time to create a map. The reality is that without this investment the project will fail no matter how closely you follow any formal methodology. So get familiar with all the items on the menu ... invest yourself ... then only choose what you need. I view any capital-m “Method” like a menu in a restaurant. There is a complete set of process and tools to support the life cycle. However, which processes and tools to use is dependent on the uniqueness of the project itself.

When I go to a restaurant, I never order the whole menu. Could you imagine? What I order depends on a number of things: the meal, how hungry I am, how much time I have, the company I’m dining with, etc.

In the same way I believe that one should never follow a capital-m “Method” so strictly that you’re creating every artifact and going through every step. It just doesn’t make sense to me. You only choose those things that create value.

The challenge is that this takes “Emotional Labour” (Seth Godin term). You have to genuinely invest thought, creativity, and effort. It takes time to create a map. The reality is that without this investment the project will fail no matter how closely you follow any formal methodology.

So get familiar with all the items on the menu … invest yourself … then only choose what you need.

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