Welcome Back

Welcome back to ValueKey Labs, the newsletter that's growing quicker than that unchecked risk in your risk register. In this week's newsletter, we cover :

• The Christmas Milestone Fallacy
• 1-4-1 Decision-Making Framework
• Special Offer - PM's Guide to Steering Committees

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The Christmas Milestone fallacy

It's that time of year again when I start hearing the re-emergence of "The Christmas Milestone". You know the one, the milestone that starts to crop up in project meetings and gets tacked on to every task.

"This needs to be done before Christmas".

It creates this sense of urgency like there is only a black void waiting for us beyond the 24th of December. I heard The Christmas Milestone crop up recently on a project I'm involved with and I quickly asked...

But does it though?

On closer inspection, it transpires that the deliverable in question could easily be completed in January instead. Much to the relief of the project team.

The cumulative effect of The Christmas Milestone can encourage rushed work and compromise quality as team members feel pressured to meet an arbitrary milestone based on a holiday.

Ultimately, it is more effective to establish project timelines based on a realistic assessments of the work required, level of urgency and team capacity to complete them.

1-4-1 Decision Framework

The 1-4-1 Decision Framework is one of my favourite tools that Project Managers can use with Sponsors or Steering Committees to aid them in decision-making. It works like this :

1 : Define the Problem

• What is the one problem/issue we want a decision on?
• What outcome do we hope to achieve by solving this problem?

4 : Develop 4 viable options :

• Come up with 4 options (not 3 to avoid middle option bias)
• Encourage creative thinking - different approaches, cost model etc

1 : Provide 1 Recommendation

• Clarify the criteria for your option recommendation
• Evaluate your options and decide on one recommendation

Simple right? This framework enables you to be transparent on the approach you took to arrive at your specific recommendation.

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PM's Guide to Steering Committees

If you liked the above 1-4-1 Decision Framework, it's just one of the tools & tips included in the "Project Managers Guide to Steering Committees". As a special "thank you" for being one of the first 300 subscribers to ValueKey labs, I'm offering 40% off the usual price now only $12 USD. With over 100 downloads so far, if your looking to up your game as a PM and nail your Steering Committee's, this guide is a must for you.

Get 40% Off

"The Project Manager's Guide to Steering Committees" is exceptionally well-written and thoughtfully assembled. It's filled with practical, common-sense strategies for achieving the best outcomes from everyone involved, including sponsors, stakeholders, and project managers." Mr R M Baker