Between the Lines...

...or in this case, lanes!

This was too long for a post. I hope you don't mind the article..

The subject matter will at first appear to be unrelated to any previous post. But if you read between the lines, you might be able to relate to this in your own area of the industry. Especially, if you are a stakeholder, end-user, or you are aiming for successful project delivery.

As an example, when it comes to your Employer/Exchange Information Requirements (EIR) not aligning with the Organisation Information Requirements (OIR). How do you expect the Project Information Requirements (PIR), Function Information Requirements (FIR) and Asset Information Requirements (AIR) to support the Project Information Model (PIM) or Asset Information Model (AIM) to deliver the required outcome? Not to mention all the other necessary documentation that I have left out.

This is also going to sound like I'm going to complain about a professional institution not living up to the delivery of their own requirements and then 'kicking the can down the road' leaving the end-user to figure it out. Sound familiar?

But if you are like me, an end-user (in this case) who cares about the industry, then you will be concentrating more on finding a solution and be driven by the outcome, instead of accepting and having to live with the problem from the start.

With all this in mind, here goes.

I broke down whilst driving on a motorway.

I called the AA to help me (I am a long-time member, that's what they are there for), but they told me over the phone that I need to call the Police. After politely reminding them of my location and their (contractual) obligation, they called the Police for me who promptly arrived and confirmed that my vehicle was not in a dangerous location. However, my son and I thought differently. In fact we were stuck on the verge between a busy slip road and the main motorway... Dangerous to cross safely in any direction.

Anyway, satisfied with this, the AA then sent a recovery truck (third party) to my location who picked up my vehicle, my trailer, my son and me and dropped us at the nearest motorway services. I say dropped, with the AA information I was provided with, it felt more like I was dumped from what transpired.

Two hours later an AA patrol unit arrived to diagnose the problem. After saying hello, he snapped off the coolant bottle cap, turned the ignition and then told me that my head gasket had gone. He then plugged in his diagnostics tool and subsequently cleared down any faults without advising me. He arranged for a recovery vehicle to take us home and drove off.

Three hours later, a recovery vehicle arrived (another third party). The driver saw the trailer and immediately informed me that they don't get paid to take trailers, and then left me there.

After several more phone conversations with the AA control centre, to explain the situation, each controller apologised for the inconvenience and arranged for recovery. They each told me to make a very strong complaint when all this was over. No recovery vehicles turned up.

A second patrol unit arrived shortly after and said "What seems to be the problem?" My blood would have boiled if I wasn't frozen to the bone.

I explained everything to him, and he replied "you should make a very strong complaint!" He then arranged for recovery.

Five or so hours after breaking down, my son was picked up and taken home (to warm up) leaving me to wait with my vehicle and trailer.

All day long, I had received threats of being fined by the service station as I was parked on double yellow lines. I had to plead with them that the AA had placed my vehicle there and I couldn't move it. I was waiting for recovery.

I had broken down at 6:30am and the time now was nearly 15:30. I remember the service station had a Greggs Bakery who I had watched opening up in the morning and was now clearing up to close the shop... I realised I had been standing there all day.

Finally, I received a call from an actual AA recovery truck saying he was on his way. Hurray! However, at 16:00 he called me again and said he was lost. So I guided him in for the next half hour.

He arrived and was all smiles. Told me that he had to drive from the other side of London to get here. I could have taken that the wrong way but I knew it wasn't his fault. I just wanted to get home.

I treated him like the cavalry, loading my car with ease and hooking up my trailer... This was it, I was going home... With everything set, he raised the trucks suspension and ripped the cable and plug off my trailer.

"Not to worry" he said, and hooked up his own trailer light-board. My lack of response surprised me at first, at the sound of cables snapping but I felt there was nothing else that could go wrong. I knew I had bigger problems to deal with later.

Grid-lock around the M25 meant nearly two hours for a twenty minute drive.

During the day, I had managed to find a garage who were prepared to work on my vehicle and so, that is where I was recovered to. He dropped me off around 19:30 and said good-bye (with a smile) and said again that I should make a strong complaint.

The next day, the garage called to say that my vehicle was too big for them to work on! He said that he had pushed it up the road to the next garage to see if they would work on it... They told me that I needed a new engine and that I have to get the engine myself. They said it won't be cheap. They also said if I am not getting it done, can I get the car off their forecourt.

At this point I need to say "to cut a long story short..."

However, with the vehicle now back on my drive, and no professional mechanics willing or wanting to work on it, I find that am having to diagnose the symptoms myself, eliminate the problems, learn new skills, persevering with what seems to be an impossible task, I am however, committed to solving the problem... At an additional cost.

It turns out that the engine is not seized, despite the overwhelming professional advice, there seems to be a mechanical issue preventing combustion. All I know is that i will solve the problem once it fires up...I am sure of that.

I need to end this post by putting a positive spin on it, in light of all the events that transpired. After all the obstacles put in my way, the total breakdown of company communication throughout the entire supply-chain, all of which, should be fully aligned and committed to keeping me moving (just like those IR's are designed to do). Heck, let me say it, failing to provide me with a world class service.

But, instead of all this making me feel like I'm just paying through the nose for something that doesn't quite meet expectations and then simply accepting it or giving up, I can honestly say that all this has made me a little bit stronger and even more determined to succeed.

I have proved to myself that I am stronger in my own ability to perform well under pressure, testing my patience, resolve, body temperature, demonstrating a determination and a commitment to succeed, expanding my knowledge base, openly embracing a change in circumstances that exposes me to new experiences, and to solve problems. To be innovative.

These are qualities I have learned over decades that do not require a degree or certification to achieve. Just a mindset regimented with the correct approach to achieving the desired outcome.

The greatest lesson i learned here is, experiencing something first hand, learning from it, and dealing with it professionally.

Churchill once said " If you are going through hell, keep going!"

I will let you know when Hell freezes over!