Do you plan your layout work sessions?

[darth9x9]

I have plan the work sessions in order to get things done. If I don't, it just turns into a fat-chewing session and everyone sits around and gossips.

[JPowell]

I get a "to do" list going, and when I have the free time....usually weekends, I'll go into my basement and see what I can accomplish on the list. If nothing, then I look around and see if I need to add to the "to do" list. After I'm done w/ the days project(s), I'll tidy up, not usually put everything away, but organize and do some sweeping so the cat doesn't get into anything that might have accidentally spilled onto the floor, or any dust, pieces/parts, or whatever might happen to be down there.

[DonaldAgne]

Since my layout is semi-portable (used to be completely portable, but as I get older and more decrepit, it's getting harder to move around the apartment[:(]) and I built it in the living on the weekends when the wife was out and about, my work sessions definitely had to be planned. I'd have to have the day's projects done, clean up my mess, and have the layout hanging back on the wall before she came home to make supper. Everything was fine until one day I poured Woodland Scenics' Instant Water (or something like that) in the pond and it didn't set up in time. Actually, it didn't set up for a couple days! Talk about hate and discontent[}:)]

[AggroJones]

Yes. I kinda have the work planned out what I'm supposed to accompli***hat day. A list. Most of the time I don't do every thing on the list. So it carries over to the next day.

[rexhea]

Ok! Ok! I get the idea.
Now you have the CEO on my back to have a major cleanup and re-organization. My hourly employees are threatening a walk-out. All I can hear is, "A clean work place is a safe work place."
Yadda! Yadda! Yadda! (sorry Sienfield)

I hereby declare:

ITEM 1.
I will start the cleanup tomorrow afternoon and have it done by Sunday evening. Well, I guess I could go ahead and finish painting the floor with Epoxy paint. I did half of it ...uh, last October[:I]. What the hey! I had to get started on the layout didn't I?
ITEM 2.
In the future, I will use self-discipline and put up my tools when finished with a job, clean up the area and try harder not to complete the big picture in one session. [:(] [:D][:D]

REX

[Anonymous]

OK. Who gave Rex a picture of my garage?

[CBQ_Guy]

Yeah, the "plan" is stay focused on the job I started. If you notice something else that REALLY needs to be taken care of, unless it's an emergency, just write yourself a note.

[egmurphy]

Geeez, Jim, put a warning symbol on your post or something. The flashbacks.... I can't take it..... Did we work at the same place??? [:D]


I don't know what's so funny Rex, looks like a typical two car garage to me. Heck, you can actually see the floor, at least in a few places! I am jealous of the space though.


Regards

Ed

[jwmurrayjr]

FIRE![:0][:0]

Rex,

You've got a lot of great space there but it could use tidying up a bit. [:)]

I could send you a plan.[}:)]

[rexhea]

That's Good, Jim! Gads, that brings back horrible memories.[(-D][(-D]

All right fellow MR's. Judging by this picture, do you really think I need to call a work stopage for general cleanup and re-organization. It might help with my Workman's Compensation insurance.

This area is the assembly, paint shop, carpenter shop, maintenance, parts room, office, ..............




REX [;)][:D]

[jwmurrayjr]

I use Microsoft Project. Just like at the office.

We have about a dozen meetings before the session begins but are careful not to include anyone that will be involved in the real work.[:p]

Once the work session begins and the skilled MRR workers start looking for something to do several of us manager-types make sure that the workers understand that we don't have time to "hold their hands" or answer questions about details. [:(!]

We continue to have status meetings. Since we don't talk to the workers we have to make intuitive guesses on how the progress is going. But since we had a lot of meeting before the session started we can assume that the work is going according to our plan.[^]

Usually at the end of the session the actual work done by the MRR guys doesn't really resemble the plan that we made, but that's because the workers usually couldn't find us to ask questions about things that they always think should have been in our original Statement of Work (SOW). [:(!]

But everyone knows that the SOW is very hard to define accurately since we can be bothered with the workers in the pre-session meetings. They should know what to do anyway...without all that "hand holding."[:(]

Anyway, once the work session is over I look at what the workers have accomplished. If the results are not very good I make sure that all the manager types know that we need to get some new workers. [^]

If, as is sometimes the case, the workers have done some really neat things then I make sure that everyone knows that I was able, with a great deal of effort and self-sacrifice[8D], to make the workers follow the plan and in some cases actually do much of the work myself...or at least stay on the workers backs until they got it right.[:D]

Sometimes we hear that the workers and old-time MRR guys think that we're taking too much credit for their efforts but it's pretty obvious that a bunch of guys that don't know how to use Microsoft Project couldn't have very good ideas about what needs to be done on a MRR layout. [V]

For some reason they think that they can rely on their "years of experience" (That means that they are pretty old![:p]) and their knowledge of real railroading (They're always carping bout "realistic operation".)

So, yes, I do plan our layout work sessions...but they aren't as much fun as the real projects that we run at the office (Or at least start.) . [:(] We planners can't seem to intimidate the MRR volunteers like we could if they were real employees. And they are a lot more likely to laugh and make fun of our plans.[:(!] Sometimes they just ignore the plan and do what they want to do. But that's good! That's when I get to take credit for the good stuff![:p][:)]

[cwclark]

The secret is to be organized...after i'm done with a project, i return all my stuff back to it's proper place,clean uyp the mess, and vacuum the carpet....I have two sheets of plywood that i keep speciality tools on and a bunch of shelves for paints, spray bottles, styrene plastic, ect...and they always go back there after i've completed a job...it keeps the accidents to a dull roar and i can usually find what I'm looking for without the all out search party thing going down by trying to keep organized..Chuck[:D]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dave9999

The way I see it is if I start planning everything, I'm takin it to seriously[:D]. I try to at least walk into
the train room once a day, stand in the center of the room, look around and say "what was I doing
the last time I was in here?" And if I remember, then I get to work. If not I usually come on here and
kill some time until I do remember.

And yes, I usually have 100 things half done. Dave

I'm with Dave. In fact I thought this morning that I need to have a clening and organizing night. AND THEN, start back on my layout.

[n2mopac]

I do not "plan" my work sessions except when I have a particular major project that needs specific planning. The one thing I do, however, is work to keep the layout area and workbench clean and organized. This helps me avoid incidents like you describe.
Ron

[BRAKIE]

Never planned to much of anything in my life..[:D] I am a man that fully believes in simplicity.I work on one project at a time till its finished then move on to the next.. What tools I don't need on the project is place back in my tool box till needed again.[:D]

[Anonymous]

Be it model railroading, working on antique cars or what ever,,, I always put my tools away and organize my work area at the end of the day. I've done this since I was a kid. It was drummed into me by my Father, Uncle and older Cousin. This definitely makes working on any project, long term or not, much more enjoyable!!!!!

[rexhea]

QUOTE: Originally posted by egmurphy

QUOTE:

Do you ...multi-task?

I quit using buzz words like that when I retired. Reminded me too much of work. [(-D]

Regards

Ed

Dang Nip it!.[:(!]
I have been so good staying away from Buzz words. I too swore off them and political correctness when I retired. Well, guess I better call my support group. [;)][:D][:D]

Rex "Blue Creek & Warrior Railways" http://www.railimages.com/gallery/rexheacock

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