Workload

I had a relatively quiet few months at work, but I knew that the lull wouldn't last.

Oh. Em. Gee.

What have I got going on here?  Well, let's see...

The completion of the Big Computer Project has been delayed.  We were halfway through the hardware installation when word came down from on high: the company is expanding.  Getting the expansion up and running takes priority over the BCP.  I had a nice plan all worked out, but it went out the window.

The expansion leads to: staffing changes.  Specifically, the woman who has been my assistant and teammate for almost ten years is being promoted and shipped off to the new location a.s.a.p.  *tear* I'm going to miss my best work-buddy. :-(  But it's all good for her, so I have to at least pretend to be happy about it. :-D

My assistant's departure has triggered a reverse domino effect.  She's out of the hierarchy, so a whole chain of people has to bump up one step, and a new hire is starting at the bottom of the totem pole.  There's training to be done, and smoothing of feathers as the groups works out a new dynamic.  It's always tough for people to accept that their peer has become their supervisor, so I'll be dealing with a lot of offended people in my office for the next few months, I'm sure.

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes. (Turn and face the strain.)  Ch-ch-changes!

With all this going on (not to mention the thousand-and-one practicalities of preparing to open a new office), it would be ever so convenient if I could simply shelve the Big Computer Project and forget about it for a while.  Of course, that would be too easy.  I have to at least get our old data converted into the new system and start using it, even though we're not going to bring the full functionality of it online until next year.  This is because our old software is no longer supported.  The company was bought out by a competitor.  So I still have to deal with a full week of training and converting issues, in the middle of everything else.

That would seem like a lot to deal with.  But wait, there's more!  For three easy payments of $19.99, you also get the handy Sham-Chop: Polishes your car by day, and makes mounds and mounds of delicious cole slaw by night!

Our phone system is being left in the dust by the forward march of technology.  The price per land line has gone up as the rest of the world switches to more advanced technology.  I have been investigating an option called PRI, which seems fairly straightforward.  But when my phoneo rep got wind of our expansion plans, she told me I should consider SIP trunking (whatever the heck that is) which would allow us to connect both offices to one internal phone system.  As I understand it, this may involve a complete upgrade of all the equipment currently in our phone room, and heaven only knows what else.  And it would all have to be done before our new location opens.

!!!!!

So.  That's the honey-do list so far.  Here's a question for all y'all: can you recommend a good project management software package?  I've outgrown my usual system of scrap paper and sticky notes.