Art Jacoby's Monthly Newsletters
Newsletter Library - June 2007
Peanut Butter and Jelly
Fourth grader Brooke Edward’s homework assignment was to write directions for making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. On the day that the assignment was due, the students brought their directions to class and their teacher set up a table with a loaf of bread and jars of peanut butter and jelly. The teacher then proceeded, one at a time, to follow each set of instructions.
The results were quite a surprise to the kids. One “sandwich” had a jar of peanut butter and a jar of jelly sitting on top of a loaf of bread – the directions did not say to remove the bread from the wrapper and open the jars. Some had peanut butter and jelly on the outside, and others…well, don’t ask! Out of the entire class, only two sandwiches were made correctly.
This sounds a lot like the results we see from many business projects, doesn’t it? Poorly crafted directions lead to undesirable results. Incorrect steps result in doing the wrong thing at the wrong time. Missing steps result in not doing something important at all. And, imprecise steps lead to a variety of outcomes.
Directions, for whatever purpose, need to be smart and clear so that the desired outcome is accomplished within budget and on time.
Just ask Brooke’s dad: Steve Edwards, President of Edwards Industries (www.edwardsindustries.com), which provides expert guidance in project management.
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