It's all too easy to get caught up in the dogmatic debates over which tool should be used for capturing requirements, version control, project planning, editing, file transfer, etc. These arguments are often distractions from what matters, i.e. getting the job done. The tool you use doesn't really matter as long as it works.

Similarly, processes can get in the way. There are some people who will follow a process or procedure to the letter, without thinking, or even worse, when the result actually hinders the project. There are times when the process can get in the way, and it's more important to get to the point. That's when talking to people is the key.

Rather than going through a formal business case proposal, sometimes it's far more useful to pick up the phone and call the project sponsor and ask a question. It's quicker and to the point. That doesn't mean we forget about documentation—we definitely want to document things, but ask the...