Things that may interest only us Pt. II

The class in large-scale manufacturing we are taking is coming along quite nicely. As this particular type of manufacturing is one we've worked in for 18 years, the knowledge we are receiving is more of the fill-in-the-gaps variety but there are subjects like progressing and labor management/tracking that we are soaking-up as we have not had much previous experience, therein.

One of the instructors is a director at a mid-tier manufacturing facility on the Great Lakes who does a significant amount of business with the government. He's a really nice guy but we couldn't help but think he was using his time at the lectern as a bully pulpit to make his case regarding some of what he saw as the non-sensical nature of government contracting and accounting rules... much to the chagrin of the government types in the audience. To illustrate his frustration with the current rules of the road in government contracting, Beers with Demo is proud to present a play in one act, "Foxtrot!"

(curtain rises)

Government: "O.K. As you are aware, as a condition of our contract with you, you will be required to maintain a project management system for tracking physical progress and labor hours, 'Method A'."

Contractor: "Uhhhh, sure. But please know that we don't use 'Method A' as it doesn't fit our business practices... its arcane, cumbersome and in actuality does not provide an accurate picture of how the project is progressing or how many labor hours we are burning for individual work items let alone the project as a whole. We use 'Method B' which provides a much more accurate accounting of physical progress and labor hours used."

Government: "Thanks for sharing. Please provide us with figures on a quarterly basis using 'Method A'".

Contractor: "We'll do that but it will require us to then maintain two separate project management methods - one for the government and one that is actually of value to us."

Government: "Whatever."

(a short time later in the middle of the project)

Government: "It has come to our attention that you are using two separate project management methods. That is in direct violation of government accounting rules. We hereby revoke your project accounting certification which puts your participation in this entire project in jeopardy."

Contractor: "Whiskey, Tango.......?"

(curtain drops)