Nov 11
20

Wheel of Life


The Wheel of Life is an ancient wisdom that has the ability to guide you to a richer experience of life in today’s world.

The Wheel of life or cookie of life, as some like to call it, is divided to several segments with equal diameters (8- 10, or more or less). Inside it, there are 10 smaller circles that form a scale from 1 to 10, where the closest to the circle’s center is 1 and the farthest to the outer edge is 10, from the small sector to the large sector. The center itself is zero.

 

It is one of the tools used in the exercises of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) to assess your personal balance according to all your life aspects, and it is considered as an assessment – a scale – for your different life activities in the current state. It gives you an accurate reading to the areas of your life at the present time. It is called the “Wheel of Life” because each area of your life is mapped on a circle, like the spoke of a wheel.

To practice this exercise, print the file – or edit it in photo editing software – and then paint the sectors to the range of your self-assessment in these areas.

 

To download the file with segments, click here

To download the file with no text, click here

  • Career
  • Financial affairs
  • Health affairs
  • Religious affairs
  • Family
  • Friends
  • Manners and personality
  • Social service (Physical environment)
  • Training and education

For example:

On the family level, if you rank yourself 6 out of 10, paint 6 small segments in the family sector and so on, repeat the same process to assess all other aspects of your life.

At the end, you will get a figure resembling the one below:

 

Thereby, you can realize the flaws in different areas of your life or the areas that need more attention or went out of balance. Hence, you can work on them to increase your assessment till you fill the entire circle, which would be the level of satisfaction. Accordingly, you can figure out your balance level or if any of your life activities has taken more attention from the other ones, such as sacrificing family, friends, and social activities for the sake of your career.

You can apply that wheel principle in almost all what you need. It doesn’t have to be for your life only. It could be for a project you are performing which is divided into several sectors.

You will find above a file for the wheel with no written activities to be able to write whatever you need.

This article is from the blog of Mohamed Badawi.

 

 

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Nov 11
15

Fishbone Diagram (Ishikawa)

The fishbone diagram (Ishikawa) - also called Cause-and-Effect diagram – is a graphic tool used to explore and display opinion about sources of variation in a process.

This diagram identifies many possible causes for an effect or problem. It can be used to structure a brainstorming session. It immediately sorts ideas into useful categories.

The reason for its naming is that the final shape of the diagram resembles the fish bones after removing its flesh. The head of the fish represents the main problem and every subsidiary bone of the backbone represents the main elements of this problem.

This fish bone diagram is a great tool to analyze a problem and the causes of this problem or the reasons responsible for the main elements that might cause the problem. It helps to arrive at a few key sources that contribute most significantly to the problem being examined.  These sources are then targeted for improvement. The diagram also illustrates the relationships among the wide variety of possible contributors to the effect. The problem analyzed could be personal or at the level of companies and organizations. Whether they are small problems or big ones, this planning helps to analyze and find all the causes, no matter how small or trivial, but they may be the main reason that influences the large problem.

Fishbone Diagram (Ishikawa)

 

The above diagram shows how to draw this plan by setting the main problem at the fish head and the main elements that affect this problem. Then the problems that may be the causes of each element are placed. There can also be outputs off the sub-components of each major component.

That’s to say; the basic concept in the Cause-and-Effect diagram is that the name of a basic problem of interest is entered at the right of the diagram at the end of the main “bone”.  The main possible causes of the problem (the effect) are drawn as bones off of the main backbone.

Let’s consider the following case is the problem:

Repeated downtime of a website / or limited number of users and visitors to a website

The diagram form with its main elements will be as follows

 

 

We write the categories of causes as branches from the main arrow. Brainstorm all the possible causes of the problem. (The process will be more reflected in the recent diagram to resolve the personal problem)

After this diagram is introduced to those persons of relevance, then you can delete the main and subsidiary problems that were confirmed not to be the cause of the problem. Then after you delete all the problems, all the remaining issues causing the main one will be clear.

 

Where to use this diagram:

As pre-mentioned, it can be used personally or on the companies’ level, yet its use in solving companies’ problems is more prominent.

 

The major key elements for problems were counted and they were often no more than the following list:

• Devices or equipments and tools
• Way of working or handling / procedures / systems
• Raw materials or product components / suppliers
• Manpower / skills, mental and psychological conditions of human beings
• Financial power / budget
• Measurement method and continuous inspection
• Political, religious and natural effects/ weather / environment
• Preventive maintenance
• Management method
• Place and time
• Supply and demand

The following example shows how to use the diagram to analyze a personal problem

Analyzing the problem of waking up early

 

The following site provides this tool online so you can create your own fishbone diagram.

http://classtools.net/education-games-php/fishbone

Other uses for the Fishbone / Cause and Effect tool include the organization diagramming, parts hierarchies, project planning, tree diagrams, and the 5 Why’s.

 

When the fishbone is complete, one has a rather complete picture of all the possibilities about what could be the root cause for the designated problem.

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Nov 11
10

To-Do-List

The to-do list is a pretty basic concept. You write it on paper. You cross off items when they’re done. You carry on with life.

After talking about the (5 M Checklist), it’s normal to talk about the to-do list, which is considered as one of the most important tools or techniques used for saving and managing time, and increasing productivity. Recently, I have read the book “Todoodlist”– click here to read my summary- which made me write this article.

The literal meaning of (to-do list) is the list of the daily tasks that you have to do. This technique or tool or skill – whatever you call it – could be apparently contradictory to many of the memory improvement techniques – Click here to read my experience in the memory improvement course - yet it’s really the most significant tool to enhance and boost the memory. When you write your thoughts on paper, you are transferring the idea from the temporary memory in the brain to a short-term memory and when you review it several times, it moves to the long-term memory.

Actually, a to-do list is a prioritized list of all the tasks that you need to carry out daily, with the most important tasks at the top of the list, and the least important tasks at the bottom. Hence, you have to write down the things that you have to do. Once you have this list, decide which task to do first, second, third, and so on.

As I mentioned previously in my article (Recording (Housing) Thoughts), writing the thought allows your brain an additional space for a new idea. Every day, I try to write a list of my tasks, but sometimes I forget or get lazy. By doing a quick comparison between the days I write my list and those I do not write, I reached an important result. My productivity on each day I record my tasks is equivalent to at least four of those days that I do not write down my to-do list. Those days with no list, I almost do nothing but routine stuff or what comes to my mind.

I asked myself: How can that be?

Could a little piece of paper increase your productivity!!

Then, I started to watch and observe what I do every day, and I reached a quick conclusion which revealed the weird secret:

-       On writing my tasks, they stay in my mind more than when I do not write them and that reduces the risk of forgetting them.

-       When I accomplish any listed task, I go back to the paper and cross it off, pleased with my accomplishment, which allows me a quick look at the next task to move on.

-       If I get some spare time or in case my thoughts get distracted or if I get tired from the present task, I go back to the paper to find a simpler one and after finishing it, I return to the one that I left before. I do not leave my tasks to read my e-mail or check my appointments which eat hours of my time without feeling the passage of time.

-       If time is not enough to finish all my daily tasks, I move them to the to-do-list of the next day, and hence I achieve them and never forget them.

Therefore, by keeping a to-do list, you make sure that you capture all the tasks you have to complete in one place. This is essential if you’re not going to forget things. And by prioritizing work, you plan the order in which you’ll do things, so you can tell what needs your immediate attention, and what you can quietly forget about until much, much later. This is essential if you’re going to beat work overload. Without to-do list, you’ll feel dizzy, unfocused and unreliable to the people around you. With to-do lists, you’ll be much better organized, and will seem much more reliable. This is very important!

Finally, here is a link to a website that can help you in writing a to-do-list, then printing it: Printable Check List.

I always advice to use the techniques and skills present in the book (Todoodlist).

Also, you can rely on a technical site like (Remember The Milk).

 

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Nov 11
5

Golden Triangle (Project Triangle)

In every project, no matter how hard to try to juggle things, there are according to most Project Management Methodologies really only 3 parameters which are within your control to change. These are:

  • Budget
  • Time
  • Scope

If time, money, or what your project accomplished were unlimited, you wouldn’t need to do project management. Unfortunately, most projects have a specific time limit, budget, and scope.

The triangle in the figure is called Project Triangle or productivity triangle, yet I’d rather call it the Golden Triangle. I do consider it golden for its numerous uses. Mainly, it has the 3 parameters which are within your control to change the result of your project; Time, Cost or budget, and Scope of business or scope of project, as called in Project Management terms.

Before we talk about the use of this triangle, let’s review the definition of ‘Project’ as in the “Project Management Body of Knowledge PMBok”.

The project is a temporary effort that is being done to establish a product, service or unique result.

Formal description of the triangle:

  • Every side of the triangle represents a main element (Time – Budget/Cost – Scope of business)
  • The 3 internal small triangles close to the angles are objectives that affect and are affected by the close element
  • The little triangle/circle in the middle is the final result

 

Note:

-      Cost might be called by some as (Resources), yet it could be money or human resources or other, thus the term Cost is more appropriate than resources.

-      The scope of business or scope of project may be called by some (Quality) of project. There is no difference in the final result since the quality of the project means that the final result is as planned.

A demonstration of this point:

If you were a project manager and established a skyscraper as planned for it, according to the budget, and delivered it in time, the project would be considered of high quality, even if the skyscraper collapsed afterward. Certainly, as a project manager, your duty is to be aware of any defect even if you were basically asked to do it, as there is an ethical code in every profession. Also, it’s a main condition in order to get the ‘Project Manager Certificate PMP’.

Now, after that clarification of the points that may cause mix up, let’s explain the objective of that triangle.

The study of any project is the answer of the following three questions:

-      When will the project end? Time

-      How much will the project cost? Cost/Budget

-      What will be the final form or what is the result of the project? Scope of work

After studying the 3 main factors, the project owner could approve it or change one of these factors. Examples:

The current study of establishing the skyscraper (Badawi Tour) needs 3 years to end, with a cost of 2 billion Saudi Riyal and it will consist of 120 floors in the form of a pyramid like the pyramid of ‘Khofo’ in Egypt.

If I, as a project owner, asked the project office and those concerned with the study preparation to do a change in one of the 3 factors, what will happen?

Q: What if I wanted the tower to be finished in 2 years maximum rather than 3 years?

A1: The cost will increase due to the increase in the human resources and other things, in addition to selecting quick building materials.

A2: There will be a decrease in the number of floors or the area or less focusing on internal details….etc.

 

Therefore, any change in one of the main factors will result in a change in the other factors. If you adjust any one side of the triangle, the other two sides are affected.

-      If you want speed (save time), you will either increase the project cost or affect the quality or both.

-      If you want quality (better quality), you will either increase the cost of the project or the time needed or both.

-      If you want to save money (less cost), you will either increase the time of accomplishment or the quality or both.

In some cases, there is no time limit or the budget could be open, but the result is required to be accurate. These are rare cases as in case of study and research centers, e.g. (The National Center for Aids Researches); it’s unknown when they will find a cure for that disease or even the cost that will be spent till they find the medicine.

Also, these kinds of projects are not considered actual projects as they do not include the 3 main factors.

In conclusion, it doesn’t matter what industry you’re in, how experienced you are, how “different” your project is, or what version of project management methodology your organization uses. At every project’s core is the trio of time, money, and scope (scope: The combination of all project goals and tasks, and the work required to accomplish them.). These are the factors you juggle every day to keep your Project plan on track.

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Oct 11
30

Business Rule (Man and Five Wives)

This rule is named: (A husband and five wives). It’s a funny name as the man can’t have 5 wivesJ. The reason for this naming is the letters (H) and (W).

The literal meaning here is not meant, but this phrase is used for linking to remember this golden rule.

The one husband here is the letter (H) and denotes the question (How), and the 5 wives are 5 letters of (W) that stand for:

  1. (Who)
  2. (What)
  3. (Where)
  4. (When)
  5. (Why)

Benefit of that golden rule:

This rule is used when we want to establish a project or to do any kind of job, whether big or small. At the end, the job won’t be done unless we apply this rule to it.

Example: Project of planning a barbecue with friends; let’s apply the rule:

  1. (How): How will the barbecue be done? (on coal by using skewers)
  2. (Who): Who will do the barbecue? (e.g. Mohsen)
  3. (What): What will be barbecued? (e.g. Kabab)
  4. (Where): Where will we barbecue? (e.g. Nahdha Park)
  5. (When): When will we do the barbecue? (Thursday night)
  6. (Why): Why do we want to barbecue? (e.g. for dinner, or to train on barbecuing, or for entertainment).

That was a simple example applied for an entertainment outing for a group of friends on a Thursday night. Let’s apply the same former example on a project idea; not the project itself:

  1. (How): How will I finance the project? (e.g. a loan from my father)
  2. (Who): Who will help me in this idea? (e.g. a family friend who has experience)
  3. (What): What will I sell, or do, or what’s the idea of the project? (e.g. what are my qualifications?)
  4. (Where): Where will be the location of my project?
  5. (When): When can I start my project? (e.g. after graduation)
  6. (Why): Why do I need a project idea? (e.g. for financial independence, or because I could not or will not find a job)

What if we want to apply this project (a store for selling women accessories)?

  1. (How): How will I import the merchandise? (e.g. from France)
  2. (Who): Who will manage the store? (A friend with previous experience in the field or a woman in the family with experience in trade)
  3. (What): What added-value will I offer to attract customers? (e.g. unique models)
  4. (Where): Where is the location of the store? (e.g. a big women market or Mall)
  5. (When): When is the best time for opening? (Before summer vacation, or at feast because of the weddings occasion and the vacations travel)
  6. (Why): Why women accessories in particular? (Because the price of gold became so high)

Conclusion:

The lack of any one of the six factors in any kind of business we handle, big or small, subjects our business to danger. The rate of danger varies according to project. For example, in the small case of the (barbecue day out), if we did not know the answer for (Who will do the barbecue?), may be Abdallullah could help. That is because the answer of (Why do we want to barbecue?) was for (Entertainment). Thus, the process here is not complicated and the answer to one of the factors can be overlooked.

Yet, suppose one of the factors was missing in the project itself, (e.g. where is the store located?); may be the store was opened in a location whose visitors have no interest in the offered merchandise, or the price was not suitable for them…. then the project will be an expected failure.

 

Where can we use this rule?

We have to put this rule in front of our eyes upon doing any of the small daily jobs (house cleaning – cooking – car washing – trip with friends), and any of the big jobs (establishing a building – a small project – a summer trip to a foreign country).

The most important is to use this rule with your goals. My previous article on (Creating Your Goal) stated that the goal should be (Smart), and that expression is a summary for the words (Realistic – Achievable – Specific – Measurable – Timely). Hence, if we do a comparison:

  1. (How): corresponds to (Realistic)
  2. (Who): corresponds to (Achievable)
  3. (What): corresponds to (Specific)
  4. (Where): corresponds to (Measurable)
  5. (When): corresponds to (Timely)
  6. (Why): the answer of why is (because these goals build our lives)

 

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