PMcrunch

In managing a project or program, we start with an objective, work in the details, get buying, put together a schedule, and implement. Of course, that is a very simplified version of what happens in project and program management but what I’m trying to say is that in the process of doing all that, we are making assumptions. At each stage, assumptions are made that are carried through to the next stage of a project or program. Given that these are the roots of where we may be at any given time on the project or program, what happens if we have made the wrong assumptions?

Assuming Incorrectly

Sometimes, for one reason or another, some incorrect assumptions have been made. Whether there were simply not enough information, not enough thought, not enough input from stakeholders, or some other reason, some underlying assumptions were simply incorrect and we need to make adjustments. While making the adjustments may be difficult, I think the most difficult thing is discovering that the wrong assumptions were made and admitting - collectively, not just the project manager - that the mistake was made. Only this kind of personal accountability across the project can pave the way to move forward on a sounder basis of assumptions.

The Assumptions Were Correct But Now They Have Changed

It may be that the assumptions made at each stage of the project were correct at that time. The problem is that business conditions change, the economy changes, markets change, tastes and preference change, people change, and proccesses change. All of this change brings up a key point of our assumptions. Whenever we make our assumptions, we take a risk. One of the corner stones of professional project management is the handling of risks in our risk management practices. One of the best things we can do is thoroughly review every assumption that is being made at each stage of the project. Only by so doing can we create a proactive way of recognizing that what we assumed has now changed and that we need to change course on the project or program.

We always need to watch what we assume but the reality is that we need to assume something in order to move forward. It is important for us to carefully document our assumptions and make them part of our risk management effort. We need to be proactive by monitoring not only progress on our projects but changes in the conditions upon which our project was based. We need to monitor our assumptions, recognize when changes are occuring, be honest with ourselves and others about these changes, and then take the appropriate actions.

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John Reiling, PMP
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