“If the plan doesn’t work, change the plan, but never the goal.”

bySamog

26 followers

Updated 2 weeks ago

In the project management métier, this adage resonates deeply with those who navigate complex projects with tight deadlines.

It all starts with understanding the project objectives and connecting it to the value that it brings once the project is completed. That value should represent the impact that this project will create. Whether launching a new product, building a new plant, or improving a process, the goal remains the essence towards securing project success.

Once your grasp the vision that the project is trying to achieve and connect the goal with the scope you are trying to complete and the value it will bring, it is crucial to realize that the plan you developed for driving the project to success, will not remain the same when you start executing the project, especially in the business world of VUCA: Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity.

During execution, you will often realize that requirements are not crafted on a rock, estimated durations and long-lead items turn out even longer than expected, and many deliverables don't reach their expected maturity on-time, this is just to name a few of delay events. Suddenly, variance from the baseline plan starts to skyrocket and your KPIs turn red. This is when you need to take an adaptability approach since the initial plan will fail but keep in ming the goal remains the same.

As the saying states: Change the Plan, Not the Goal. Experienced Project managers understand this. When faced with roadblocks, they don’t get frustrated and turn into problem-tellers rather they readjust, analyze the root cause of delays, assess the impact and mitigate through alternative routes. They update the plan and become solution-tellers whilst navigating the rough waters with their eyes fixed on the goal.

Successful project managers embrace change in the VUCA environment equipped with a flexible mindset like skilled chess players adjusting their moves and changing their plans of attack or defence without losing sight of the goal which is checkmate their opponent.

Experienced project managers adopt agile thinking. Even when the plan fails, they take a pragmatic approach and mitigate their top offenders and pain points that are causing the slippage of the plan to the right and eating their buffer and float.

Moreover, they adopt iterative thinking and iterate through multiple sprints. Thus, the plan is updated, but the goal remains the same. With 'What-if' scenarios, they anticipate based on their updated schedule model, formulate risk response plans and implement their contingency plans if the risks get materialized.

As the project unfolds whilst adapting along the way, we might ponder about what happened to the original plan? Well, plan and fail but don't fail to plan. Stay fixed on the project objectives and the value it will bring once completed. Throughout execution, remember that whilst updating the plan, make it simple, make the progress visible, and make it happen!

Remember that plans are put in place to drive the project; that's why planning should be iterative, and baselines should be updated if they no longer represent reality. The only thing that remains constant is change and the project goal. So, fellow project managers, when managing complex projects in the business world of VUCA, don't forget that the only constant is 'change'. Hence, change the plan, but never ever lose sight of the project objectives and the value is intended to bring upon once completed.