The more software development teams I work with, the more I’m convinced that it’s often nearly impossible for said teams to see where there are issues.  From the managers of these teams I hear:  “If people would just follow the process we would be in great shape!” or “We really don’t have many issues.”   From the team members I hear “We’ve tried following our process and it just creates more work for us!”  or “Management doesn’t get it!”  If these statements sound familiar to you, you’re not alone. 

Improving your organization’s ability to deliver software in a streamlined way can be a daunting task.  I liken it to having issues with your golf swing.  You can make corrections that you hope will have a positive effect, but often they morph one problem into another.  In most cases it is better to have someone else examine your swing.  A coach or consultant looking in from the outside typically has a much clearer view of what is going wrong.  If this consultant has the experience and a keen eye, he can make suggestions that will have a greater impact in a shorter amount of time than you could on your own.

The point here is that if you are looking to improve a management area in your organization, give a reputable consultant a try.  They just might see the real issues and allow you to be under par on every hole! :)