“The map is not the
territory”
clashes within the IT Enterprise
BARCAMP 2007 - December 1 - Great Minds Sync Alike

Introduction
• Patrick.Debois@sos.be
• Independent Consultant
• Projects & operations
• Technical & Human
Factor
• Try to get the FUN back
in working

But now for something completely
different

But now for something completely
different

Does this look like
an ordinary day
at work?

Is Operations
blocking your
project?

Have you tried
different tactics?

Your ‘battle’ never
seems too stop?

Sometimes it works

But you keep having
major problems

It’s just
a matter of time!

Your Developers

Your Operations

But now for something completely
different

But now for something completely
different

Experiment 1
• I need 3 volunteers to leave the room

Mission
• Project: Sort my backpack
• Deadline: 1 minute
• No questions asked

Results
• Same Mission
• Different results

Example 2
• What do you see:
• Old or young Lady?

Example 3
Project Company
(Local) (Global)

Example 3
Project Company
(Local) (Global)

How does this relate
to YOUR
organization?

Map versus Territory
• Alfred Korzybski
• Every person has its
own view/map on
reality
• Every person =
• Developers
• Operations
• Managers
• Even Collegues

We Belgians are experts

What do we do now?

Neurological Levels
• Robert Dilts
• Neuro-Linguistic
Programming
• A model for behavior,
learning and
communication

Neuro-Logical Levels
✓What is my Intention?
Vision
✓Who am I to be?
Identity
✓What are my values?
Values
✓What are my beliefs?
Beliefs
✓What am I capable of?
Skills
✓What am I able to do?
Behavior
✓Where does it happen?
Context

Corporate: Context
Vision
Identity
“It’s not MY fault”
Values
•We need a new server
Beliefs
•My boss is stupid
Skills
•This place is a mess
Behavior
Context

Corporate: Behavior
“I do something, but I don’t
Vision
know why”
Identity
•We always do it like this
Values
•Usually when I do this, it
Beliefs
works
Skills
•I just use it, i don’t know
Behavior
any details
Context

Corporate: Skills
Vision
Identity “If I learn to do this
Values better I will succeed”
•certifications
Beliefs
•trainings
Skills
•people vs. technical
Behavior
Context

Corporate: Beliefs
“I strongly believe that”
•project success=on time
•project success=on budget
Vision
•project success=no bugs
Identity
•other people are stupid
Values
•they will never change
Beliefs
•it will never happen
Skills
•there is nothing I can do
Behavior
Context

Corporate: Values
“What do I value most”
Vision
•functionality
Identity
•stability
Values
•user friendly
Beliefs
•technological coolness
Skills
Behavior
Context

Corporate: Identity
We have multiple
identities
•family member
Vision
•employee
Identity
•coporate role
Values
Beliefs
Skills Different per identity
•As a father I value ...
Behavior
•As a manager I value ...
Context

Solving problems
✓Solve problems at a
higher level
✓Align actions at all levels
Vision
Identity
✓For technical people
Values
skills != identity
Beliefs
Skills
✓Good candidate != ∑ skill
Behavior
Context

So now you know

Enterprise Version
The Game
of the
Enterprise
2.0
Features
Managers
Developers
Operations
So play a different game now.

Who will rule the company?
Enterprise Version
Battle
with Operations
Sink
new Projects
Remember!
“The Map is not the territory”

Any Questions?

References
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Korzybski
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Dilts
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Python_and_the_Holy_Grail
• http://www.nlp.be
• http://www.sos.be

Thank YOU!