PMcrunch

As project managers, we are often called upon to present choices to our stake holdersWe are often called upon to present options for solutions, scenarios, and items for discussions, priorities and more. There is a well proven rule that when it comes to choices, less is better.

In marketing, it has been determined that when consumers are presented with a large array of choices of jelly at least 20 choices, they are less likely to buy than if they were presented 6 choices, it simply is confusing and a lot of work to deal with a lot of choices. Although having a few choices can work in your favor, this idea also works on the back and after decision has been made. When someone has made a choice from a large number of options, they are more likely to experience buyer’s remorse, and then they would if there were smaller number of choices. Buyer’s remorse comes from wondering remorsefully over the possible outcomes you may have experienced if you had made another choice.

As leaders on our projects, we need to ensure that we and our team do our homework and do enough pre screening of options on our own to filter out the many down and present the only few to our stake holders. This provides a much better service to our stake holders and to the success of the project as it makes their job easier makes it more likely that we will get the direction we need. It increases buy-in and reduces the possibility of dissatisfaction after the decision is made.

John Reiling, PMP
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