Project management advice

hambone1 · Post by **hambone1** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:11 am

I've given up my day job for the opportunity to do what I really want to do. But the enormity of the task has me going around in circles and basically getting nothing done right now. It's corporate/private audio/video/lighting stuff, which I realize isn't on most people's agenda in this forum, but I'm hoping some words of wisdom on how to manage and tackle a big project could come from some of the experienced people here.

I find myself assigning and reassigning MIDI controllers, rethinking how I do everything and starting over when I change my mind, sample trolling when all I need are a few dozen basic samples, reconfiguring Live over and over, etc. I've already delayed the business launch a month to try to get everything right.

Any advice would be most welcomed!

Machinate · Post by **Machinate** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 7:29 am

my best tip would be to set absolutely firm deadlines - "i have two days to get this controller business done" etc.

I'm a procrastinator myself, and solid deadlines is the only thing that has ever helped me. The only downside to this is that I've become very "business-like" with music, ie if the drummer doesn't turn up within 30 minutes I'm leaving, because I can't be bothered with time-wasters.

Also, spend some time to really visualize your goals for this enterprise - is your main goal to have the coolest midi setup EVAH! or is it to earn a few quid playing good music at parties? Are your current activities neccesary means to an end, or are they simple procrastination?

Also, sometimes I just need a good, solid kick in the arse, maybe you can tell someone to do the kicking for you?

hambone1 · Post by **hambone1** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 8:30 am

Good advice! (Kicking self in ass...)

The problem is that there are so many possibilities... so many programs... so many filters, plug-ins, hardware options, etc etc. The difficulty I have is deciding what's 'good enough,' sticking with it, and building from there.

Perhaps the reality of not being able to buy food if this doesn't work will get my ass in gear...

Michael-SW · Post by **Michael-SW** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 9:09 am

Definitely agree on the deadline thing. Nothing motivates you to accept "not the best but good enough" like that you have to have things working in a couple of hours.

I say go ahead and launch your business. If you know what you are doing (and I guess you are), then you already have almost all the tools you are going to need.

Then get a booking and start preparing for that specific project. That will definitely focus your mind (and get you to cut a few corners, which is a good thing).

hambone1 · Post by **hambone1** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 10:00 am

The business launch is planned. Tickets have already being sold. So I have the main deadline. I think I need to break it up in to mini-deadlines, and not get sidetracked by using too many tools.

I've also found that I can't get anything done when the studio is disorganized, so I'm taking a little time to get it sorted. I think getting back to the daily gym and cycling routine would help, too.

amo · Post by **amo** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 10:34 am

I'm far from running such a business right now or whatsoever, but here are my thought that I hope could help you, though you may think of / be aware of them already:
It seems to me that you have in mind to launch your thing once for all and that you are looking for an immediate definitive solution... I'm quite sure it is not really the case but you sound like that. I would advice to plan on a long term plan, with list of improvements and stages of research. Kind of roadmap. Cause obviously you won't be able to try every tool available and set up a good set from that, at least not in a short term, taken in account that there are so many possibilities, and new things always come accross your path.
I'm quite sure too, that you already have enough skills and gear to run a first row of shows. Think of it in the way that it won't be perfectly what you could dream of, but first your audiance may still appreciate it if you put all you've got in it, and then it will give you exposure to the scene and some financial means that will allow you to experiment more in the future.

In the end, I tend to think that self-limitation is good, at least for me. You know it already, but some reminder may help: don't get trapped into the most-gear-one-could-have trick.... I know you need quite a lot for light shows, but try to minimize and give the best of yours creatively.

Hope I don't sound redundant and that you take all that in a good way; All the best !
amo

btw: never used I-Ching ? nice tool to calm down and learn about limitation and augmentation.... Whilem translation.

hambone1 · Post by **hambone1** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 3:06 pm

Haven't tried I-Ching... only heard Ka-Ching as I spend more and more on hardware & software!

nuperspective · Post by **nuperspective** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 3:50 pm

if your talking about project managing a business launch you have to disect the problem down into smaller projects from there you need to break these smaller projects down into indivdual 'worktasks'. each of these worktasks then needs to be given a realistic duration and completion date. the duration for each task is then added together to give you the total time the project requires. the responibilities for these tasks cannot all be your own. stakeholders must be identified to control their designated tasks. from here you start getting into 'critical path analysis' and 'gantt charts'.

if your working on your own, your the only one to answer to. if others are working for you the greatest tool you have is communication. write down and document everything.

'the best planned project will usually take twice as long to complete'

hambone1 · Post by **hambone1** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 4:24 pm

You're right. I need to break everything down into manageable chunks. For example, I need a dozen or so percussion breaks to trigger over the tracks. I need to pick them, and that's that. No more auditioning hundreds of samples trying to find a better one. And I need to nail down controller assignments. I keep changing it around, use the joystick for this.. no, wait.. use it for that, etc. And I've become hypercritical on the sound quality of the tracks I'm using. I know better than to think that I can make an old Motown track have the same impact sonically as a modern hip-hop tune. And instead of using the big-screen video as an effect, I keep trying to write music videos for it. And all the equipment is bought, but I keep looking at other stuff. It's basic lack of discipline.

I've got only myself to answer to, so there's nobody to blame this on but me. I need to get my ass in gear, or this ain't gonna happen.

Thanks for the advice, everyone.

Angstrom · Post by **Angstrom** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 4:26 pm

I started using the (very basic) organisational technique of paper lists, my girlfriend has a huge paper diary full and it worked for her.

so a recent list ran:

- fit new pickup on strat
- sort first five minutes on ambient cd
- play/practice some sitar
- wash car
- 'master' 2 tracks
- etc ..

It gives you a sense of progression as you tick stuff off.
Also if anything stays on the list for more than a few days and you know that you spent 5 hours driving round San Andreas looking for good jumps

.. well it kind of reminds you to get on with it.

I realised what a massive tendacy to avoid stuff I have. I knew I didn't like the slow & careful process of finalising tracks (as much as starting them) but this listing practice really brings it home that time needs to be dedicated when you see it there every day.

ethios4 · Post by **ethios4** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:11 pm

The devil is in the details they say. You can spend forever trying to figure out just the perfect setup, then 2 months later experience will show you that half of what you worked out before was not going to work. Keep it moving forward! You'll constantly be learning and growing, so don't get stuck trying to figure out the perfect way to do something.

I find that my lifestyle when I'm ont working has a huge impact on the time when I do work. For instance, I'm forcing myself to go to bed early and get up early to maximize my effective time, and help myself keep to a schedule. Also, I try to excercise at least a couple of times a week. Just started a yoga class with an awesome teacher. I feel much more energized, focused, and calm when I excercise. Eating right is also a good way to go. I have a tendency to just keep working and working, forgetting about food and sleep. Over time it wears you down and makes you less productive.

Basically you have to get the foudnational things taken care of beore you can build an empire.

spiderprod · Post by **spiderprod** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:31 pm

last week i had a meeting with some big producers ,as i am going to co produce some records in wales with them we had to sit down & talk business .
dude , i was amazed at how organised they are ,to get a quote for a project ,they go thru everything from cost of transport /food cost /mic positioning time ,tracks layering ,depending if you want to do HD recording or protool the time it takes to record is different ,etc...
everything they do is penciled 2 month before ,& they don't go out of their agenda, that's why they get jobs from all those big bands or TV contracts & get the megabig money that comes with it .

tomperson · Post by **tomperson** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 5:48 pm

It seems to be a common issue, starting projects but never being able to get it "perfectly right", and move the deadlines in a never ending process. Have you thought about working with someone else? It's a good tactic to get yourself in focus, because you need to keep schedules working, and different point of views always help - maybe you get stuck in details, and the other person is more pragmatic, whatever.

Lots of people do this to go to the gym. Working with someone else forces you to go into a routine, and encourages you to "move forward".

I'm myself on that very same process...Sometimes its tough, as you said there are so many options...but in the end, the result is what matters, the audience doesn't really care if you had the more complex/incredible/expensive setup ever (set appart a couple of "trainspotters", they always show), what counts are the results...

hambone1 · Post by **hambone1** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 8:01 pm

More great advice. I think I need to work on the 'just good enough' principle. I tend to be an all-or-nothing person, a classic Type A personality. Either I go all out and go for perfection (which I'll never achieve), or I don't do anything at all. I need to learn to moderate, or I'll never get anything done.

Maybe I will look for a collaborator or employee. With a large PA, stage, lighting, & video equipment to trailer around and set up & tear down, it probably would be useful to employ someone to help.

tomperson · Post by **tomperson** » Thu Aug 18, 2005 8:59 pm

Don't take yourself too seriously...I should learn that too