If you are a quantum physicist and find yourself here, you’re in the wrong place. Everyone else might find this helpful 😊

Recently I heard about “the heralded photon”. I asked my quantum physicist son to explain it to me. He is a very, very, very good explainer of complex science to lay people (if you are, or know, a tech start-up needing to explain tech to potential investors, please take note as he finishes his PhD mid-next year and will be available😊😊).

The heralded photon is a single photon that you are certain exists because it has been heralded by another photon. If there is no heralding photon it does not mean the signal photon you want is not there, it’s just that the one you want is very, very hard to detect.

The way you get a heralded photon is by shooting a laser at a special type of crystal which emits two photons. The single photon you want is very hard to detect. So, you monitor for the heralding photon as it travels in a slightly different direction – and at a wavelength that is much easier to detect.

The heralded photon is part of the single photon creation method called Spontaneous Parametric Down conversion (SPD). Why would I want a single photon? That I can answer. Single photons are important in quantum computing. What I can’t answer is why! And I did not want to go down that rabbit hole just yet! I suggest asking Google or AI?

What can we learn from the heralded photon? Here is the first in my three-part series.

Most organisations of size have multiple projects operating in tandem and some impact others. In fact, some require the output of one project as an input to another project. The output from Project A needs to be on time and needs to deliver the expected benefit for Project B.

A common problem is that we find out way too late that the output we are waiting on is going to be delayed or widely different to plan. Less common, but also important, is that the output from Project A is already available or going to deliver over and above expected benefits and Project B has been sitting unnecessarily idle, despite the opportunity to begin work and capitalise on the added benefits.

In this second case, you need a heralding photon! You need to set up a signal detector to know exactly what is going to be delivered and why.

It’s a simple concept and can easily be achieved with basic stakeholder communication protocols. However, not all project teams get that part of their role right.

Some food for thought. And I’d love to hear your thoughts on this.

P.S. I’m celebrating the end of financial year with 15% OFF all my training throughout June. If you’ve been thinking about refreshing your skills, or your team’s, I’ve just made it a little easier so hit reply with YES and my team will make it happen 😊