Related Posts
Is another recession coming?
Hi I need 11 reactions to open DM,
thank u
Does AbbVie have a four day work week?
Floyd modeling his business-professional wear.
Additional Posts in Consulting
anyone here do UX Design or Customer Success?
Weekend work ..... yaayaay
New to Fishbowl?
Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
Ask her to provide a sample
Curious, what's your background OP? Keep worrying about your "dignity" and your consulting gig would be over before it even starts. There are wolves here that would literally ride you on anything they see.
Honestly the worst characteristic of new associates is not them not knowing. It’s not having the courage and confidence to ask questions. No one knows everything and every manager is different. If you have questions .... ask!!
not sure it needs to be a deck - I mean, an email would work for me - you’re gonna have to ask. “How would you like me to present my plan - simple text, a gantt chart, a full presentation - happy to do whatever or follow an example you prefer.”
I would ask if she has a preference as to which program you make it on. That should clarify the layout
As I read the other comments, I’m recognizing I’m missing context. I assumed this is for a proposal or for something to eventually show to a client it’ll go in a deck. In most other situations a plan in Excel is better because it is easier to adjust. If it’s to structure your personal work, email is probably fine. On another note, it’ll serve you well to leave the ego at the door. Be humble, be ready to learn, act on feedback, and thicken the skin. You won’t know everything and you will get seemingly harsh feedback. If you’re too worried about your pride/dignity it’s a road to failure or at best mediocrity and bitterness.
I second SC1, I might suggest something besides PPT for a project plan. You could do Excel or Microsoft Project
Work plan is key activities, inputs/outputs, associated deliverables, timeline, and team structure. Assuming you and the manager discussed the plan at some level then get the content for the plan first (activities, output, etc.) timeline in a Gantt chart, then ask for sample deck for formatting. Otherwise, If it’s a standard service offering you should be able to pull from a prior proposal/work plan for another client.
Strongly agree with SM1. However, there are more and less effective ways to ask for help.
Beyond asking for clarification on the objectives, good options include: 1) asking a more experienced peer (second year consultants are great for this) for advice before talking to your manager. 2) thinking of a few different options and presenting them to your manager. 3) trying the 10% rule - executing on the first 10% of your plan and then checking in with your manager for guidance. 4) telling your manager your plan (including how you will look for the resources, such as from other project plans, SOW, etc) and asking for feedback.
Or ask a colleague for a sample. Should take you no time to get a template at least.
From the way she asked for it, I really want to preserve my dignity by not asking her - she clearly feels that I know what this is and it would look bad
there is always something to pull from - but, yes, she want to see you have a plan, and she can hold you accountable to it
Op, get your hands on the sow and proposal deck if available, that's your baseline then basically look at some kick off decks where the work plan is discussed and outlined, you're looking for inputs/outputs, key dates, time frames and maybe even a raci,
Workplan .... timelines with milestones and estimated resource need
Provide 3 ... best case, worse case , and most likely.... only show her the most likely and then tell her that you also have the other two. Be prepared to discuss the differences between the 3
It's usually a few different charts with cool icons
It's consulting dude, there's always a template you can use. And never be afraid to ask your manager for clarification. Better to get it right the first time than to give her something she's not looking for.
Thanks folks!