Lessons from experience

Recent work projects have once again reinforced that which I've already known but had forgotten. Three simple rules of thumb to keep in mind when working on a project for other people. First, don't commit to implementing incomplete or vague specifications. Second, don't raise expectations higher than what's needed to meet the requirements, or what you can reliably deliver under a given set of constraints. Third, take the responsibility and the initiative to get the job done, don't expect others to do their job or yours or to volunteer help. Simply learning to keep these three principles in mind when working on any project will go a long way toward getting the job done and satisfying its requirements.