I worked on several projects like that. My favourite meeting was one where the PD (Project Director, boss of the PM) decided to sit in.
PM: where are you on A?
Bill: I got about 20% into the problem, and I got pulled off to work on B
PM: So where are you on B?
Bill: I got about halfway into that, but I was told to work on C
PM: Is C finished?
Bill: No, I was looking at the timing, but then D became the priority
PM: Tell us you've at least finished D
Bill: No, I barely started, when E was raised as a serious issue
PM: So did you fix E?
Bill: No, my manager told us E wasn't an issue, we have to focus on F
PM: So you're saying you haven't accomplished a single thing?
Bill: Yes, that's correct
PM: Why are you people so ineffective? We don't have this on other projects!
At this point, the PD asked the PM why he didn't just have us work on the project based on the completed documented design. That's when the PM had to admit that the completed design wasn't fully documented yet. Or completed, to be honest. And for features D through F, they were still working on the white paper (the proposed, but not reviewed, or accepted design).
PD: So, you're saying that reason things are behind isn't because the design isn't completed, but because of the engineers trying to implement an undocumented design?
The impromptu calls always last just long enough for the next scheduled meeting to begin
Well, why aren’t you done working on this task already?
Rookie move, yo’. Always enable “do not disturb” mode before taunting the gods or tempting fate. 🤦
Nah, just stay offline. Blame ISP.
Gotta click that "do not disturb" setting for sure!
The HR request is the scariest one there!
I worked on several projects like that. My favourite meeting was one where the PD (Project Director, boss of the PM) decided to sit in.
PM: where are you on A?
Bill: I got about 20% into the problem, and I got pulled off to work on B
PM: So where are you on B?
Bill: I got about halfway into that, but I was told to work on C
PM: Is C finished?
Bill: No, I was looking at the timing, but then D became the priority
PM: Tell us you've at least finished D
Bill: No, I barely started, when E was raised as a serious issue
PM: So did you fix E?
Bill: No, my manager told us E wasn't an issue, we have to focus on F
PM: So you're saying you haven't accomplished a single thing?
Bill: Yes, that's correct
PM: Why are you people so ineffective? We don't have this on other projects!
At this point, the PD asked the PM why he didn't just have us work on the project based on the completed documented design. That's when the PM had to admit that the completed design wasn't fully documented yet. Or completed, to be honest. And for features D through F, they were still working on the white paper (the proposed, but not reviewed, or accepted design).
PD: So, you're saying that reason things are behind isn't because the design isn't completed, but because of the engineers trying to implement an undocumented design?
"Please check my calendar and send through a meeting invite."
Bonus points - get them all on a conference call.