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Computerworld - Trouble T1cket

• At issue: The department has been short-staffed for some time, and now a senior person is leaving.


• Action plan: Accept the fact that its impossible to do more with less.

Im crunched for time, we could use a few more hands in this state agencys IT department, and the state has imposed a hiring freeze. Could there be a worse time to find a resignation letter on my desk? Well, I knew it was coming, and I understood why. I am sad to see this employee go, but I gave her an excellent reference.

Resignations always make me review what I could have done differently to keep employees happy. In the public sector, my hands have been tied in many areas, but wherever possible, Ive demanded change  and Ive ruffled a few feathers in the proc­ess. Change was the norm when I worked in the private sector, but in a government agency, its resented.

But I couldnt come in here and be happy with the status quo. I was charged with securing systems, so I insisted on implementing various security technologies. We now log network activity, grant access on a need-to-know basis, document our processes and use a continuous self-audit process. Ive rocked the boat, and its still rocking.

Through it all, we have been short-staffed, but the states budget crisis is now so severe that we cant continue trying to do more with less. Working harder for longer hours cant be sustained in the long term, and eventually you have to face the facts: You can only do less with less. Fortunately, I have a mature and professional manager. His advice was clear: Cut back, dont work longer hours, dont try to do everything on the to-do list, learn to say no. If the governor mandates budget cuts and we cant hire people, that translates into work not being done, not us trying to compensate.

In other words, I need to cut down the project list, put projects on hold and reallocate the workload. And I need to pull every string I can to get this soon-to-be-vacated position filled in the middle of a hiring freeze.

As much as I see the wisdom of my bosss advice, its still hard to get into that mind-set, even after all my years working for the government. I still want to make it all work, even if it seems impossible. But I have to remind myself that theres no reward for that kind of behavior here  no bonuses or stock options, no awards for outstanding achievement.