Let’s face it, Lean project management isn’t a topic that drums up a whole lot of interest in social settings.
This is generally what happens when I meet someone new at a social event and they ask me what I do.
Someone I just met asks me, “What do you do?”
My response, "I’m the VP Marketing for a software company..."
Software is a somewhat interesting topic to folks. Especially, if you live in the startup capital of the USA, Boulder, Colorado.
So at this point, they might probe a bit further.
“Oh, what type of software?”
“Project management software for hardware development. Our niche is helping engineers deliver their research and development projects faster.”
And, the conversation pretty much dead stops there.
Why? First, hardware development isn’t a term that many people fully grasp. Second, unless you are "in the industry," as they say, who really cares? ;-)
To most, Lean project management or visual project management isn’t sexy.
I imagine if I said I worked with aerospace engineers and medical researchers, that might spark a little more interest!
Visual management changes the game
But the truth is, we love what we do at Playbook. Why? Ultimately, we change people’s lives.
Yes, I know it sounds corny, but we spend much of our lives at work. Like a bothersome splinter, most hardware development projects are fraught with painful annoyance. Teams endure the dull pain in hopes of experiencing a moment or two of greatness... Those big aha moments when innovation occurs.
But at Playbook, we know product development doesn’t have to be this way. By creating flow among project teams, Lean visual project management tools helps companies optimize their process, and remove roadblocks so that the people with the really big brains can focus on what they love to do, solve problems.
And maybe that's what I should be saying. "We create software that helps people with really big brains focus on what they love to do, solve problems!"
As a demonstration of why we love what we do, I'll share this quote. We recently were on a call with a project team.
When we asked how things were going post Playbook implementation, a project team member said,
“Now I feel like the Incredible Hulk when I come to work. I know exactly what I need to work on. I go home feeling accomplished. Like I did something for the team.”
This is the outcome that we work for, happier people, happier teams. Teams that have the tools they need to get done what they do best.
Product development doesn’t have to be a painful experience. View the webinar and take advantage of our Free Trial offer. Create happier teams, happier people, with Playbook.
Not sure how to discuss and share the benefits of Playbook? Here's a game we created that is infinitely shareable.
