What Does Done Mean?
Scrum It Is
I’ve decided after my last post on my Scrum Master training, and the positive response and my interest in the subject, to do a series of posts about scrum and the aspects I think are relevant to my art business.
Although scrum is a project management process for groups, and a lot of the focus of the process is on group dynamics, there are other parts of scrum that are quite useful for an artist maintaining a solo art business.
Today I’m starting with a concept that will fit into the larger framework of scrum later. But I want to just introduce it today as it feels like a good place to start (maybe because I feel I’m spinning my wheels some and not completing anything).
Quality and Done
One of the things scrum does an excellent job addressing in the software development cycle, is the issue of quality. Writing really good software takes time. Unfortunately time is something that there is generally not enough of during a development cycle. The result is almost always a compromise on the quality of the software.
Scrum addresses this by focusing a lot on the definition of Done and declaring that a feature is not to be delivered to customers unless it absolutely meets the definition of Done. Absolutely no exceptions are allowed if one truly follows the scrum model. In software this is difficult because management wants what they want by the date they want it. So to implement scrum correctly requires buy in from upper management.
For an artist we only need ourselves to buy into this. I know I’ve been bitten a few times by saying that a bunch of artwork was done when really it wasn’t. Then show deadlines approach and I end up having to stay up late to actually finish the art (add hanging sleeves or finish bindings, etc). Or I’ll ship some art out the door without the proper images in my database. The work sells and then I never get the images and when needed later I’m out of luck.
I’ve informally worked on defining what it means for my art to be done over the past years (from creating it, to the hanging sleeves, to logging it in the database and photographing it) but I never finished. Now I’m going to formalize this with a definition of what it means for a textile painting to be done, then I’ll hang it on the wall and remember my agreement with myself as to what this means and I’ll ensure that all artwork is completely done before dropping it from my
Business Done
I think this has a lot of relevance for the business side of art also. Many a project gets started but it never gets finished. I just move on to something else. Leaving behind many "gee - I should finish that" ideas and projects that pull me back in as I didn’t tie up all the lose ends.
Certainly blogging and other ongoing tasks like updating mailing lists and writing newsletters are never done. But each of these has a discrete component that does have a definite start and ending. I am going to work on focusing on my art business projects with more thought on completing the projects in their entirety before moving on to something else. And again thinking about what it means for these things to be done.
The sense of accomplishment that comes when something can be marked off a list and declared truly done is great. And I need to find that a bit more often.
The House Remodel
After a month+ of work, I decided to scrap the remodel plans. I had been concerned they were going to be too expensive and yesterday I got the first hint of numbers and it confirmed I was right. I had hoped I could turn this house into my dream home/studio/kitchen but the neighborhood and my checkbook can’t support the cost of doing that.
So after an afternoon/evening of sadness I got over it and went back to basics. Why did I move to Denver? What were the goals? I’ve decided while I might love this house and neighborhood this is not the right time in my life to build my dream home. Instead it’s time to live as cheaply as possible so I can retire as soon as possible. This was about downsizing, not dream home.
Although as much as I love this house, I can’t live in it for 6 years as is. First there are all the fixer-upper things that need to be fixed - like mold, electrical, quack quack. Then there is the issue of lack of studio space. My previous dream home list "must have" list included more bathrooms, a study, a bigger kitchen, master bedroom, and of course the 600 sq ft studio.
The new "must have", I really am downsizing, list:
- A studio with room for my 2 tables and some floor space - probably under 300 sq ft
- A second bathroom - but just a powder room - after flushing my cell phone down the toilet yesterday I decided this was really important. The kids and I will still share the single bathroom with a shower.
- A laundry room - again a bit of a luxury - but having the washing machine in my kitchen and dryer in the garage isn’t great for resale
- Fix the broken/hazardous stuff
- Add insulation and replace all window for energy efficiency
- Remodel the existing kitchen and bathroom with very simple features
- An air conditioner (I’m not crazy Alyson!)
So still a big project and certainly costly, but not ginormous and too expensive. The result should be a house that fits wonderfully into my neighborhood and is a cozy, happy place to live.
The Great Big Dream
Yesterday I went through a bit of mourning over the dream home that isn’t going to happen. I loved the floor plan we came up with and it would have be really wonderful. But I’m not giving up the dream. I’m just recognizing now is not the time for that particular dream to come to life. I’m not going to stop believing I can build my dream studio - cause I know it’ll happen eventually - when the time is right.
Posted by Lisa in: Goals
Tagged: goals, great big dreams, remodel, scrum
cynthia said,
August 24, 2008 @ 7:14 am
This is going to be an excellent series, Lisa! I think I might link to it from my blog in the next few days.
I’m relieved to hear about your home remodel decision. Having been through it myself, I know how easy it is to go crazy.
Rosemary Claus-Gray said,
August 24, 2008 @ 8:13 am
Hi Lisa, I want to offer support for your decision to downsize, and compassion for how you’ve found it necessary to put your dream house on hold. This seems much more realistic, and do-able. I’ll reap benefits from your discussion of Scrum, too. It is relevant to me and my process of creating. Best wishes, Lisa. Rosemary
Patty said,
August 25, 2008 @ 4:46 am
I know that had to be a very hard decision to have to completely change your remodeling plans. It sounds like scaling back to the very basics and still having two important features for your art (the studio and laundry spaces) would get your space to the point that it works for you and your family. I have found that just getting anything fixed makes the space more your own and life easier.
Schnoobie said,
August 25, 2008 @ 8:44 am
wow. I feel your pain and am so bummed for you. You seem to have quite a bit of clarity however and I know that will get you through. I know you live in CO. and all and can get quite a bit of snow (as do we here in NW IN) but have you considered using your garage space as your studio? I gave up my small garage because my vehicle wasn’t worthy and my Longarm was. We did a lot of the work ourselves and I still have the concrete floor but it is warmer in here with a ventless wall gas heater than any place in my late 40’s house even in sub zero temps. I wish we were neighbors cause I would clear off a table for you asap!.Even with this space I still don’t accomplish what I know you will despite your situation.I really admire your focus and productivity.
Hang in there and good luck getting the basic stuff fixed. That will make a huge difference.
Lisa Call said,
August 25, 2008 @ 8:57 pm
Yes Cynthia - the excitement of the dream home is hard to resist (until we talk money!)
Thanks Rosemary - very kind and supportive words.
Hey Patty - I could go with some stuff getting fixed. That and clearing out some stuff. We’re packed pretty tight awaiting more space.
Thanks Schnoobie. I thought about it but I really want the garage for my car - I could probably survive shoveling show but decided a garage that opens up into the house was on the must have list (I’ll be adding a door for that as currently the garage only opens onto the patio.)
Sheila said,
August 27, 2008 @ 7:29 pm
Oh, you spoiled girl you…I’d give anything to have even a carport, let alone a garage, let alone one opening up into the house! Truly, about the only thing I miss in my current rental that I’ve always had before is a garage, and I don’t blame you one bit for not wanting to give it up for use as something else.
Lisa Call said,
August 27, 2008 @ 9:52 pm
Thanks Shelia! I’m parking in my driveway now - it drives me nuts to have to find my key to unlock my door every day. You wouldn’t think it’s a big thing but having the garage open into the house is a huge convenience.