Introducing Critical Chain and Its Purpose

In this In the Trenches episode, Andy talks with Norman Patnode, Principal at ProChain Solutions, about what it really takes to deliver projects faster and more predictably. With a background in aerospace engineering, the Air Force, and decades of consulting, Norman brings a systems-level perspective to project delivery that goes far beyond managing task lists.

They explore the difference between task management and project management, why critical chain thinking shifts the conversation from dates to priorities, and how changing a few key rules can dramatically improve delivery performance. Norman shares why "prioritize, focus, and finish" is more than a slogan, how multitasking quietly robs teams of productivity, and what leaders can do to create clarity and alignment. You'll also hear insights about managing constraints, learning how to learn, and why curiosity is one of the most valuable leadership traits.

If you're looking for practical, systems-based ways to improve delivery and reduce chaos on your projects, this episode is for you!

• "Critical chain is a system to help you get projects done faster and more predictably."
• "Critical chain is really about how do we help people prioritize, focus, and finish."
• "I would never go back to what I was doing before. It has ruined me. I just wouldn't live in that world again."
• "Multitasking robs project teams of anywhere from 15 to 65% of their productivity."
• "If there are no priorities, then really none of them are important."
• "The focus is not on getting to a perfect schedule. It's on creating and strengthening alignment of the team's effort."
• "Reality is undefeated."
• "Any system has a very few number of constraints, usually one."
• "If you manage the constraint, you manage the system."
• "You don't have to learn everything. You just have to be curious and learn how to learn."
• "Big, impactful things in the world get done through projects."

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:33 Start of Interview
• 01:41 Norman's Current Role and Responsibilities
• 02:20 Norman's Career Journey
• 07:00 Task Management vs. True Project Management
• 10:40 Introducing Critical Chain
• 15:41 Common Objections to Critical Chain
• 17:20 Changing the Rules to Improve Delivery
• 22:56 A Powerful Leadership Habit
• 25:54 Career Lessons and Critical Turning Points
• 31:32 How Norman Continues to Develop Himself
• 35:53 How to Connect with Norman
• 36:17 End of Interview
• 36:56 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 40:37 Outtakes

You can learn more about Norman and his work at ProChain.com. Connect with Norman on LinkedIn here: LinkedIn.com/in/npatnode/

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 472 with Mark Reich. It's a discussion about lean, which is certainly not precisely the same as critical chain or theory of constraints. But Mark is similarly geeky about how to improve how we go about projects. I think you'll find episode 472 a great follow-up to today's discussion.
• Episode 328 with Terry Schmidt. Terry's passion is LogFrame, and though it's different from what we talked about today, Terry's geekiness for LogFrame could inspire you to think differently about projects.
• Episode 320 with Greg Githins. Greg wrote a book about thinking strategically. All I'll say is that if you and I could sit with these three guests and talk over coffee, we'd have quite an insightful and interesting chat!

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Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year!

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Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Ways of Working

Topics: Project Management, Critical Chain, Theory of Constraints, Prioritization, Focus, Multitasking, Systems Thinking, Leadership Development, Constraint Management, Risk Management, Strategic Execution, Continuous Improvement

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Brooklyn Nights by Tim Kulig License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Fashion Corporate by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license