Community archive

Ask something
Discussion Locked

Missing Cartoon-Defining specifications

0 helpful
6 replies

by tuckerunc

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

This question is for anyone working with IT project management. I am looking for a cartoon that I saw once at some project management training or another. I am sure someone must be able to help me find it. Everyone I talk to in the PM world seemsto have seen it once, but nobody can help me locate the cartoon.

The cartoon is that of a tree swing. The cartoon emphasizes the importance of communications and the magnitude of providing accurate system functional requirements and specifications when working with a vendor.

The picture included four small pictures of a simple tree swing. In each of the smaller pictures the swing appeared differently. In each of the pictures the swing would not function as a swing at all because of poor design.

If you or someone could provide me with a copy of the cartoon (rights and artist name included) I would greatly appreciate it. I could reproduce the illustration, but I don't think that would be fair to the artist. I think the cartoon makes a strong impression on business unit staff when expressing the importance of documenting their system functional requirements thoroughly.

Thank you for your assistance,

Rick Tucker

6 replies

by generalist

I remember one swing having three ropes, one in the center of the seat.

I also remember another swing having three seats.

And then there was the 'as installed' setup which involved cutting down the tree and bracing it back up.

I don't remember the artist though. Might not be Tenant though. I suspect I have the book around the house...

by generalist

Bingo! That's the one I remembered.

I think I've seen it both in an IT environment and an architectural environment. The architectural environment may have an edge on being the oldest usage of the diagram, but the IT side may have more occurrances.

In either instance, the cartoon is something that every designer should keep in mind, whether they are designing hardware, software or jellyware.

by generalist

Ah, to be more specific, the 'Project Life Cycle' was the one of which I speak. I seem to recall seeing it sometime in the mid-1970s at a school of architecture. It might even have been in one of the design books I have from way back then.

by ebob

Thank you Larry123 for finding that! TR should have it in their library, along with "6 Phases".

This discussion is closed to new replies.