The High Cost of Delaying Maintenance and Knowing Better

Written By Allison Pollard

Photo by Doug Waldron

My car had been making noise for a few weeks, but I kept making excuses rather than take the car to the mechanic--I was just there for an oil change and don't want to go back so soon.  I don't have time to take my car to the shop during the week because of work.  I don't know what to tell them is wrong.  

I ended up taking my car to the shop right before I went on vacation, but it was to a collision centerbecause someone hit my car in a parking lot two days before I left.  One of the employees told me my car was rather scary to drive, reinforcing what I already knew.  My car ended up making the decision for me when a brake pad fell out at the collision center--my car needed to go to the mechanic ASAP.  It cost me over a thousand dollars and caused me to be without my car for a couple of days, but my car finally got the attention that I knew it had needed for quite a while.

Similarly, individuals, teams, and organizations are regularly delaying "maintenance" that is needed to keep things running smoothly--taking training classes, giving performance reviews, reducing technical debt, notifying stakeholders of changes, cancelling projects, revising policies... the list goes on and on.  The cost of delay is significant.

You already know what you're putting off, so what are you going to do about it?

Allison Pollard

Allison Pollard is a coach, consultant, and trainer who brings the power of relationship systems intelligence to go beyond tasks, roles, and frameworks to create energy for change. She engages with people and teams in a down-to-earth way to build trust and listen for signals to help them learn more and improve. Allison focuses on creating alignment and connection for people to solve business problems together. Her experience includes working with teams and leaders in energy, retail, financial, real estate, and transportation industries to help improve their project/product delivery and culture. Allison currently volunteers as program director for Women in Agile’s mentorship program. Her agile community focus is championing new voices and amplifying women as mentors and sponsors for the next generation of leaders. Allison earned her bachelor’s degrees in computer science, mathematics, and English from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. She is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC), a foodie, and proud glasses wearer. Allison is a prolific speaker at professional groups and international conferences, including Scrum Gatherings and the Agile Alliance Agile20xx conferences. Allison is co-owner of Helping Improve LLC.

http://www.allisonpollard.com
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