Below is an updated version of the old Acquisition Manifesto. Manifesto wasn’t really applicable to what this project turned into, so the title has been changed. In addition, new rules of thumb have been added and the list is now alphabetized. However, I think there may be too many categories, so some may need to be consolidated. You can also view and edit this list through Google Docs.
Objective
To give guidance to new acquisition professionals through rules of thumbs.
Rules of Thumb
On Communication, new acquisition professionals should…
- Shut up and listen.
- Ask the right questions after listening.
On Contract Writing, new acquisition professionals
- Dictate the “What”, but let the technical experts determine the “How”.
On Emotions, new acquisition professionals should…
-
New acquisition professionals should have a tough skin coming in, or develop one quickly. (Amanda Blount).
-
Contracting sometimes hurts. Don’t take it personally. Get over hurt feelings quickly. We’ve got contracting to do, and we need your head in the game. (Amanda Blount).
On Ethics, new acquisition professionals should…
- Intelligently invest the Taxpayers’ money.
- Not purposefully screw over others.
On Fun, new acquisition professionals should…
- Well, have fun.
On Decisions, new acquisition professionals should…
- Know that while they can only control their own choices, their decisions ultimately affect others.
- They can influence others’ decisions.
On Innovation, new acquisition professionals should…
- know that is necessary and vital to fail.
- Accept that they will learn far more from failure than success.
- Fail small, succeed big, adjust and move on. (Innovation Manifesto).
- (Whenever possible) cheaply develop fast prototypes, quickly scale up what works and bury what doesn’t work. (Innovation Manifesto).
- Adopt a different approach when something isn’t producing the desired results.
On Judgment, new acquisition professionals should…
- Have logic and evidence to back up opinions and statements.
- Let the data determine the best solution, and not let the solution determine the data.
- Identify and correct destructive emotions before they damage the acquisition.
- Identify and harness positive emotions to help the acquisition.
On Learning, new acquisition professionals should…
- Pursue education in all its forms.
- Pass on what they have learned. (Yoda).
- Know that Wisdom = Amount of Experiences x Types of Experiences x Adopting Lessons Learned from Experiences. (Note that Time is not a separate variable; it is built into the factor “Amount of Experiences”).
On Long-Term Thinking, new acquisition professionals should…
- Know people are short-sighted, so long-term thinking is a rare and valuable skill.
On the Mission, new acquisition professionals should…
- Remove their ego from the situation.
- Know that results and performance matter.
On Planning, new acquisition professionals should…
- Know it is highly desirable in a career field where acquisitions can last decades.
On Problems, new acquisition professionals should…
- Prevent them.
- Solve them.
- Not cause them.
On Processes, new acquisition professionals should…
- Understand that acquisition is a process, not an event.
- Know that work flows from person and person. They are expected to do your part.
On Research, new acquisition professionals should…
- Say that “options” and “alternatives” are their two favorite words.
- Actively seek out, and (whenever possible) try out options and alternatives.
On Relationships, new acquisition professionals should…
- Know they are not at work to make friends, but know work is a lot easier if you make friends.
- Understand relationships are necessary to get your work done.
- Not be ***holes. (Thank you Laurie Ruettimann).
- Realize acquisition doesn’t happen in a vacuum. (Innovation Manifesto).
On Speed, new acquisition professionals should…
- Know that 80% imperfect now is better than 100% perfect one year from now.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.