Some years ago a project manager was leaving a project that he knew was in trouble. In the brief time he had with his successor he gave the successor three numbered envelopes and told him to open the envelopes, one at a time, when he felt the need for advice.
After an initial analysis of the project the new PM was in need of sage wisdom so he opened the first envelope. In it was a note that said, “Blame your predecessor.” So the newbie did just that and gained some breathing space to get things sorted out.
Unfortunately issues kept emerging, so the not-so-newbie resorted to the second envelope. Its contents said, “Reorganise the project”. The greying newbie found that the restructure clouded the project’s problems giving yet more time.
The bad project mojo continued, so the PM resorted to the last of the envelopes. It contained the following note: “Make up your three envelopes.”
