Should I tell my project manager that I am not capable to do a task that even a senior can't do?

Question

I am on my way to the final month of the probation period which is the third month before knowing that I should look for a new job. I start as a junior developer and work with a framework that I never touched before. (It is too futuristic for me.)

The only senior that we have are work in a different department said he cannot do it.

The first month everything went good. I thought it was going to be fine. Then the second month came. Everything is rolling from the top of the hill.

I stuck at one task for 3 weeks. I feel dumbfound. I told my project manager, I will take a long time to finish this nearly impossible task. Because in the document it's said that the framework currently does not support this yet. Many forums also confirm my theory that it cannot be done yet. The device is not that good; the framework is not stable yet.

I am stressful every day. I had a migraine every day. I don't love to go to work anymore. I explain (not directly) to them it is impossible to do; they still want me to do it anyway. I cannot do that. I can do anything else but this. It is not possible ...at the moment! When I was an intern I create an app that was more complex than this, because it was possible to do so.

This task is not possible in the present time. I told them maybe because I cannot say I can't do it loudly. I want to tell them that, but I don't want it to cost my first job. (I'm still looking for a new job anyway.)

Answer 1

You should put your analysis of the problem in writing and give it to the project manager. Explain what would be needed to make it feasible, and exactly why it is not feasible as currently proposed. Make your analysis very clear and direct. If you can see alternatives that would help with the business objective and that are feasible, describe them.

Ask for guidance on how to proceed. There is a possibility that you have misunderstood something about the requirements or proposed implementation, but documenting your current thinking will help resolve that.

Answer 2

As Project Manager I would like to receive your feedback. But be clear in your message and give some fundamentals to it. Stand in your point of view but be open to suggestions.

Answer 3

Sadly, getting asked to do the 'impossible' is part of the job.

the only thing I can advise you to do is to talk to your manager, say you've been trying to get it to work but it really isn't possible. Not "nearly impossible", not "it will take a long time", but "The framework doesn't support it". Add in that you checked with your colleague. It adds validity to your statement.

The next thing to do is ensure that this won't happen again.

I would advise you to start new projects with going through the assignment and looking for pitfalls or difficult to impossible tasks. Check for solutions and how long they would take.(this would take about 5%-10% of the time you get for the project. some companies ) Then, go to your manager

For the future tough. Try to make sure you take a bit of time at the start of a project. Look for pitfalls and things that could be difficult or impossible. and if you see them. Notify your manager immediately, preferably with the time it would take to fix said issues, or an alternative solution

Answer 4

This happens a lot. If I were you, I wouldn't fight it. Document the problems I am facing everyday. I might succeed or you might fail.

If I fail I have my reasons to show(if I cannot find a job before that).

In parallel I will look for a new job. The pain is not going to end with this task. When we work with people we have to interpret and work with subconscious biases. As you might have seen in this forum itself negative question and answers would put people in bad light.Same at workplace. If any of my team members raise an alarm about an issue the seriousness depends on how seriously I take them. They are not taking you or your issue seriously.

Don't let negatively slip from your side to your bosses. People are super judgemental about this. Instead of siding and supporting you they will call you with names like "attitude problem", "incompetent", "slow learner" etc.. In the meantime some incompetent guy will come, may you work on it and steals credit.