Resilience of CM People
by Randall Omlie
The month looked tough anyway, as I was scheduled to work with people in two different countries and also get prepared for the International CMII Conference, September 23-26. I had no idea of just how difficult, nor did I know that the people I was trying to help would help me even more.
The Boston Group
To conduct Course III with any sharp group of students is challenging in itself. On Tuesday morning, September 11th, we had begun the difficult task of examining "traceability" and decided to break from the classroom. One of the students came running back to the classroom with his cell phone and told about the unbelievable news. We thought he was joking, so we tried to complete the morning and get into "effectivity." Approaching the lunch hour, we were seeing the horrific replays on TV and we now knew this was for real. Every single ICM instructor was teaching courses that week, so I called ICM headquarters in Scottsdale and suggested that I adjourn the class. I reasoned that we couldn't concentrate on CM and we all wanted to check on loved ones.
In typical configuration management fashion, this group was determined to complete all of the course materials. We all had to control our feelings, get the job done, and not let the terrorists win. Even with the closure and indefinite status of the Boston airport, I knew that these CM students would be resourceful enough to get home.
By Sunday, the 16th, I was on my way to the capitol of Canada. I had arrived home from Boston just in time to catch one of the last flights to Ottawa. I was feeling a little down and it was obvious that the events of September 11th would have a great impact on my duties for ICM. The Ottawa courses are held in Canada's World Trade Center, and due to more threats, it was surrounded by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
To my surprise, every student was in the class but one, and their government was still trying to identify all the Canadians lost on September 11th. I'd worn an American Stars and Stripes necktie. I nearly "lost it" when the class gave me a red rose. Later they gave me a pure silk necktie with the red Canadian Maple Leaf on it. That's when I did lose it. In spite of their emotional instructor, they completed all their work, and even did their own workshop as a humorous interpretation of the ICM instructor. I left laughing and feeling much better.
The following Sunday, the 23rd, I flew to San Diego to attend what turned out to be the best conference I have ever attended. I signed the honorary certification awarded to President Bush for his presentation to the US Congress and the American people on September 20th. I then joined the resilient CM people and focused on getting the job done. I continue to be grateful to the CM people who helped me through this. Most already know how to handle adversity and only need a process for getting their jobs done.
Institute of Configuration Management Scottsdale, AZ 85261-5656 Tel: (480) 998-8600 Fax: (480) 998-8923 Email: info@icmhq.com