Today proved to be an enlightening day, filled with valuable lessons that I won't soon forget. I encountered two key insights that were particularly striking: the importance of following instructions closely and the necessity of consulting with the client about deliverables.
The project I was working on aimed to build upon the groundwork laid by a previous consultant who is no longer with the client. Our task involved leveraging user profiles, notes, sketches, existing data, and even a data dictionary, along with reflective logs, to accomplish several goals:
- Enhance or correct existing charts while adding new metrics to better address the user’s needs and stories.
- Document the creation of any new metrics and the changes made.
- Sketch a detailed interactive dashboard.
- Explain the purpose and expected outcomes of each chart.
While the previous consultant had done a commendable job detailing one user profile, they had focused solely on a single user story. I believed it would be prudent to first conduct thorough research on the client and their user stories. This approach, however, took longer than anticipated. I found myself spending over an hour on research, which I thought was essential.
After that, I dove into creating charts for the user stories, which again required extensive analysis and research. Before I knew it, precious time had slipped away. As I started sketching my dashboard, anxiety began to creep in regarding how little time I had left. A colleague reminded me that we had only half an hour before our presentation, which sent me into a panic. The previous consultant had used PowerPoint for their presentation, so I opted for the same format. In my rush, I foolishly decided to prioritize building the PowerPoint presentation over finishing my dashboard—the most critical deliverable for the client.
This turned out to be a significant misstep. By the time I completed the PowerPoint slides, I was left with just five minutes to finalize my dashboard. As presentation time approached, I was scheduled to present second, and I was still not finished. When my turn came, I was overwhelmed by the number of tabs and windows open on my computer. I struggled to share my screen and couldn’t find my documentation for any follow-up questions. After nearly five minutes of fumbling, I was finally able to share my screen, but it was far from smooth.
When I began presenting, I quickly ran out of time and had to stop before I could even showcase my unfinished dashboard. It was nothing short of a disaster.
Fortunately, the client was understanding and patient, acknowledging my frustrations. The feedback I received was invaluable: “It's important to check your progress with the client to ensure you are doing what they need.” This advice resonated deeply with me.
While I left feeling disappointed in myself, I recognized that this experience was a crucial learning opportunity. I’ve come away from this project with a clearer understanding of the importance of time management, the need for thorough preparation, and the necessity of regular check-ins with clients.
Moving forward, I aim to implement these lessons into my future projects to ensure I am better prepared and more aligned with my clients’ expectations. Each challenge is a stepping stone toward growth, and today, I’ve certainly taken a big step forward.