Suggestions on how to handle an organizational challenge?

Question

Hi All,

I know that this isn't exactly a coding question, but it's applicable to the day-in, day-out life of a programmer. I have responsibility of a project (web page). I have certain goals in mind when it comes to the site's overall design (almost no marketing, make the articles the main focus and make finding the correct article very important - it's a page for existing customers to find technical information). Recently the project was included in a restructuring project that will add things that go directly against those goals. For instance, there's a lot of marketing stuff that makes the actual articles so far down the page that you need to scroll to see what you searched for.

Does SO have any good advice for me to follow as I am the low man in this whole thing? Should I speak up? Should I just go with the flow? Should I suggest a compromise? Anyone with this experience have some advice?

Answer 1

First, never just "go with the flow". Always be willing to speak up if you believe the direction is wrong, no matter where your position in the company. The key is to do this tactfully and with respect, and give good reasons why you think your alternative is better.

In other words, understand that marketing may have very good reasons for doing things a certain way (I'll be the first to admit that marketing people scare me very much :)).

A good read on this is Joel's Two Stories article. I like the way he describes being a relatively new guy at Microsoft, but yet he was given great decision making power.

I was blown away, of course. At Microsoft, if you're the Program Manager working on the Excel macro strategy, even if you've been at the company for less than six months, it doesn't matter - you are the GOD of the Excel macro strategy, and nobody, not even employee number 6, is allowed to get in your way. Period.

I realize that your company might not work like that (most don't in reality) but the point is never underestimate your ability to form a valuable opinion on the way something should work, and as already mentioned, just always be willing to express that opinion humbly and respectfully when dealing with others.

Answer 2

I think you should at least challenge it in some way. Try to give the other stakeholders in the project an idea of the customer's perspective. If you believe that it won't be usable because users can't access information they need, maybe suggest structuring it around the content like you're wanting to.

If you don't speak up, nothing will change. You should provide input and feedback when you believe it is needed anyways.

Answer 3

I hesitate to offer any advice without knowing your nationality and company culture. The importance of hierarchies can vary substantially.

In most cultures I've worked in, though, an honest question asked professionally and with an serious concern to be objective does not cause trouble for you. There should be somebody who can explain how the objectives of the restructuring project meshes with the objectives of your customer users -- that, or be made aware of the conflicting goals. But try not to ask in a confrontational manner, but rather, as one who seeks to understand.