Listen to Mike Tyson and Avoid These 5 Project Planning Pitfalls
The best-laid plans go so easily awry
As Mike Tyson so eloquently stated, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.”
Iron Mike’s subtext is that, when faced with obstacles, even the best-laid plans go to hell.
Zigging and zagging become easier when a team is unencumbered by grandiose long-term plans. Here are some ideas about how to keep project plans achievable and maintain your sanity in the process.
1. Know thy business
If you don’t understand your company’s mission and goals, it’s hard to make coherent plans. Block out time to develop expertise in what you’re undertaking.
2. Plan small
If you make a six-month plan, too many unknowns will interfere with your ultimate goals. Making a grandiose plan with a big payoff at the end is like a Vegas high roller who bets his entire savings on one spin of the roulette wheel.
You need to accumulate smaller wins instead of making one huge bet that you’re likely to lose.
3. Decompose the problem
Break big problems into smaller, accomplishable chunks. Make sure you can measure success or…
