Pro Developer - Creating Your Dream Project

Now that you've got a wish list that would make Santa Claus twitch, the next thing you need to know is who can fill it. It won't do you any good to talk to your fellow programmers about the cool project you'd like to be working on. They may sympathize, but there's little they can do for you. Instead, you need to identify the person or people who can truly be decision makers. The short definition of this type of person is that they have the power to authorize work. It can be a project manager, middle manager, VP, or pretty much anyone who's above your particular section of the food chain.

For your first foray into the world of project creation, aim low. You'll have a better chance of getting the attention of and influencing those with whom you're in continual contact. Walking right up and knocking on the door of the company President may well get you little more than an introduction to the security guard's attack Chihuahua. And nobody wants that. Nonetheless, make note of every person in your domain who has the true ability to authorize you to work on a project. Don't forget people in other departments. It's not unusual in the corporate world for resources to be loaned from one department to another. You don't care which flag you're under. You just care about the gig.