Rogaining

This weekend I went rogaining with a few friends in the sand dunes near Cesarea. For those unfamiliar with rogaining, it's a team sport where groups of 2-5 plan and navigate their route between checkpoints, using a variety of map types, trying to maximize their score in a set time limit. We went to compete in the medium+ level, consisting of 21 points over a span of over 6.4 aerial kilometers. With three hours, we knew we wouldn't be able to get all checkpoints so we had to plan our route meticulously. We had one map and more opinions than team members!

As we started the race, we had to decide between getting more of the close checkpoints, that have a lower point value, or running farther out and getting a few of the more valuable checkpoints. With time slipping through our fingers, we calculated our possible ROI, opting to go for the further, yet more valuable points. After logging our first two, we had a hard time finding the elusive #39 checkpoint. We circled around, back tracked, tried locating it again, but to no avail. Time is our most expensive asset and we decided to forget about that checkpoint and just sprint back to the finish line, picking up a few easy points around that area before finishing the race.

Driving home, I looked at our punch card and map, thinking how much this race resembled product management. We've got a planned release at the end of the quarter and a road map a mile long. As product manager, we've got to prioritize which features will make it into the release and which won't. Then there are those features that you start to develop and end up having to trash for some reason or another... This is just the beginning of my blog and there's so much to write about - so much I want to write about. And, given the time, I will. In the meantime, for those of you who've never tried rogaining or orienteering, I highly recommend it. Aside from being a great sport, it's a wonderful team building activity. Don't forget your map!