Triple Constraint: A Project Manager's Guide to the Meaning of Life

The triple constraint of life is happiness, health, and productivity.  In project management, it would be cost, time, and scope.  Optimizing these three things in either case defines quality.  The quality of your life or the quality of your project.  Tackle life with a triple constraint mentality and I believe you will optimize the quality of your life.

Lacking focus on any specific method in project management can allow for scope creep to happen, throwing money at a problem or not taking the time to clearly define the plan.  You can go months or years over schedule or just scrap the project altogether.  That's a sucky way to spend your time and money, but it happens.  More often than you might think.  

I like to think that when a strong project manager gets put in place that they will set and adhere to a firm budget.  The due diligence to estimate the time needed to complete a project accurately and address the risks will happen at the onset. They will clearly document, plan and communicate the scope effectively.  On launch day, everyone walks away happy having succeeded at what they set out to achieve. 

In life, many people will pick one thing and excel at it.  If you ask some people what the meaning of life is they may simply answer: happiness.  My problem with that answer is that you could achieve that through drug abuse.  If the meaning of life is simply obtaining your own happiness, the quality of that life could be suspect.  Focusing on health helps you put some control over the amount of time you have for this life but overfocus and it could be to the detriment of your family.  And an overworked person could be the pinnacle of a productive life but if you leave your health and happiness behind, it likely will not end well.

The triple constraint of life is happiness, health and productivity.  Find a balance between these three and you'll find a quality of life that is optimized.  Let the happiness be your own but also that of others around you.  See the opportunities to give and share kindness.  Try hard to make healthy decisions, enjoy the natural world around you and share these experiences with people you love.  Be productive, seek to make a positive impact on the world.  Don't kill it at work and let the rest of your life suffer.  

The Creative Corridor Thesis

I had the distinct pleasure of listening to Dan Reed speak with a small group of Creative Corridor citizens about the role the University of Iowa can play in spawning entrepreneurship and innovation for our community.  The reality is that the University of Iowa is a significant competitive advantage for the Corridor but the truer reality is that I'm not convinced that we know how to fully leverage that advantage.  I hope Dr. Reed and the University continue to blaze that trail forward with the entrepreneurial community and that we create a startup culture that is the envy of the planet.  It is clearly in the realm of possibility and, with the right mindset, it could be easier to achieve than many might think.

Dr. Reed proposed what I'll refer to here as the Academia Thesis.  These are my words and not his but they address the brand, social network, and knowledge transfer he referred to as essential parts of the academic experience.

The Academia Thesis:

1. Academic institutions have a brand and aligning with that brand provides benefits.
2. Within an academic institution exists a social network. Inclusion in that social network is of paramount importance for a successful future.
3. The knowledge transfer that occurs within the framework of an academic institution is not easily replicated outside of the institution.

Brad Feld proposed the Boulder Thesis in his book, Startup Communities.  It's required reading if you want to develop a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Boulder Thesis:

1. Entrepreneurs must lead the startup community.
2. The leaders must have a long-term commitment.
3. The startup community must be inclusive of anyone who wants to participate in it.
4. The startup community must have continual activities that engage the entire entrepreneurial stack.

So, how do we maximize the value of having such an amazing research institute within our community? How do we create and publicize activities that include both the academic and the entrepreneurial stacks?  What if we look at the social network of the University and the Creative Corridor as one community?  If we look at the similarities between a startup community, an entrepreneurial ecosystem, and an academic institution we can find common ground to develop a thesis that is true to what we aim to achieve.  

The Creative Corridor Thesis may look like this:

1. Foster creativity and entrepreneurship at an early age.
2. The brand is a sense of pride.
3. The community is inclusive and everyone that wants to be make a positive impact has the tools to do so.
4. Consistently hold events and activities that include the entire community to showcase our citizens. 
5. It is led by citizens. 

What is the Creative Corridor? 

I believe we are defining it now with the actions we take.  We should choose to make it exceptional with a vision for the success of the next generation.  A place where people are overwhelmed by a sense of pride in what we have built together.