Los Angeles, California, has a peculiar fascination—a guilty pleasure, if you will—that has puzzled the rest of the world: police chases. I’ve been home from work sick this week and just happened to catch a police chase on TV this afternoon that quite literally got this dude (see picture) caught with his pants down on live TV in front of likely thousands of viewers! So naturally, I got to thinking, why is watching a police chase on TV so enamoring, and how do police chases tie into technology work? Read on to find out, lol!
It seems that the adrenaline rush of watching these high-speed pursuits has become an oddly endearing pastime for many in the state and throughout the nation. What’s even more surprising is how this fascination parallels the potentially nerve-wracking journey of working through a complex IT project. Let’s hit the road and dive into this perplexing parallel!
Imagine you’re at the wheel, embarking on an exciting IT project. The starting line is like the project kick-off meeting—filled with enthusiasm, anticipation, and a hint of anxiety. You’ve got your team in the passenger seat, all geared up for the ride. Little do you know, you’re about to take on the multi-lane freeway of building out your new data center, at rush hour!
As the project unfolds, it’s like navigating the chaotic LA traffic. Lane changes, unexpected roadblocks (or should we say, compatibility issues with a legacy system?), and the occasional detour. Just like navigating traffic, an unexpected change in an IT project plan can make you feel like you’re in the midst of a convoluted police chase. Just when you think you’re on the straight and narrow, a surprise twist throws you for a loop (or could even make you feel like you’re about to run over a spike strip).
Picture this: you’re architecting your new systems equipment at top speed, the adrenaline pumping, all cylinders are firing smoothly with your team, and suddenly, a tricky issue emerges, causing your project to swerve off course. It’s like a sudden sharp turn in a police chase that keeps everyone on their toes. “Hold on tight, folks—time to troubleshoot, decide on a plan of action to fix the issue, and get the project back on track!”
The project manager takes the role of the police dispatcher, coordinating efforts, giving directions, and attempting to keep the pursuit under control. They’re the voice of reason in the chaos, much like the guiding force behind steering the IT project toward success.
In both scenarios, there’s an element of suspense, uncertainty, and the thrill of witnessing how it all unfolds. Just as you root for the cops to apprehend the elusive suspect, you’re cheering for your project team to conquer those final hurdles and reach the finish line—successfully delivering the project.
The euphoria that follows a successful project completion is akin to catching the fugitive and seeing justice prevail—triumph and relief all rolled into one. And just like a well-executed police chase, a well-managed IT project showcases teamwork, strategy, and determination.
Whether you’re captivated by the flashing lights of a police chase or the flashing lights of a storage array as it boots up for the first time, there’s something strangely alluring about watching a journey unfold and triumph over challenges. So next time you find yourself glued to a televised pursuit, remember, there’s a bit of IT project magic hidden in there—just waiting for a victorious end!
Happy chasing and IT project managing, fellow enthusiasts—and remember, don’t get caught with your pants down at the end of the journey!
P.S., yes, this one was a stretch, but it was fun to write, lol!
It's Technically Possible 