[webproducers] Re: Why managers will replace "web producers"

I totally agree. Since I run my company I don't have to worry about those 
things like I used to, but that was my number one reason why I wanted to run 
the show. At my last gig I was the producer for a small creative shop that was 
acquired by a large technical staff-aug company. After the merger, I was 
supposed to be responsible for a schedule and a budget for projects where half 
of my team (the programmers) didn't actually report to me, but to the tech 
lead, and I never had access to their hours spent! And the tech director told 
them they didn't actually have to track hours! It was a joke. Of course, it all 
ended rather dramatically in late 2000. 
Michael, my favorite from your list is number 2. You have to have good 
instincts to do this job. It's making me more and more convinced that good 
producers are born (and made better with experience) and that it's very 
difficult to take someone from say, sales or marketing, and turn them into a 
producer. And not just because of the lack of technical background. We 
concentrate on front-end work so I'm never as concerned about this and actually 
find that former programmers tend not to manage creatives very well. It's just 
hard to teach people how to navigate a project with their antennae up and teach 
them to be cautious and always thing ahead to the consequences of a decision 
without being a micromanager and driving everyone crazy.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ari Feldman 
  To: webproducers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Friday, December 12, 2003 4:23 AM
  Subject: [webproducers] Re: Why managers will replace "web producers"



  interesting. the term "producer" has been ambiguous since 1997
  or so. i've held that title since but did 99% of what you
  outlined below.

  of the points you mentioned, having total responsibility for a
  given project and the team's actions *but* not being able to
  burn people for screwing around or institute change has and
  continues to be one of the most frustrating aspects of the role.



  --- Michael James Pinto <michaeljamespinto@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
  > --- Katherine Gray <kat@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
  > > As we're hiring new producers and developing our training
  > methodology, one of our advisors has
  > > asked us to define what a good producer/project manager
  > looks like. What are the qualities and
  > > skills you all think define a good producer? 
  > > I'll start:
  > 
  > I think producer seems to be a code word for a
  > "manager who has the risks but not the power to
  > make change". I blame books like the "Mythical
  > Man Month" for the view of managers being equal
  > to programmers, or even in supportng roles. This
  > point of view played a direct role in many failed
  > dot.bomb projects.
  > 
  > Here is my post dot.bomb qualifications:
  > 
  > 1. The ability to identify slackers and fire them.
  > 2. The ability to smell BS a mile away.
  > 3. Revolts against "not invented here".
  > 4. If managing programmers, should have programmed
  >    in the past.
  > 5. Attention to detail.
  > 6. Can write worth a damn.
  > 7. Can say "NO" but not piss off.
  > 8. Knows how to research.
  > 9. Knows how to say "I don't know the answer to that,
  >    but I'll find out."
  > 10. Won't build a Ferrari when you need a Honda Civic.
  > 11. Can explain the technical in plain English 
  >     sans buzz words but not be patronizing.
  > 12. Can track a project without a "management program".
  > 13. Can take good notes.
  > 14. Proactively organizes, but not goldbricking.
  > 15. Calls the client before the client calls them.
  > 16. Understands the need for QA.
  > 17. Understands "critical path".
  > 18. Doesn't procrastinate.
  > 19. Stops mission creep.
  > 20. Get it in writing, put it in writing.
  > 
  > I submit the above is not a "producer" but is a 
  > classic description of a manager. I will never hire
  > a "web producer" or create a job with that description.
  > Like the job title "webmaster" what web producers did 
  > will evolve into different roles. 
  > 
  > 
  >  
  > 
  > 
  > 
  > =====
  > Michael James Pinto | http://www.vm.com | http://www.anime.com
  > 
  > 
  > Upgrade to Clark: http://www.clark04.com |
  > http://www.nyforclark.com
  > 
  > Join my list on the arts & technology:
  > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/EIA_list
  >
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