Principles of Planning: Playing the Right CARD

by David N. Rasmussen

A vital factor in achieving excellent program or project performance is a concept that took me many years to learn. I call it the CARD factor, though I have rearranged the order of the acronym's words (assumptions, dependencies, risk, and contingencies) for simplicity of reference. It refers to the fact that every plan is supported by a set of assumptions concerning the business environment of the initiative. Those assumptions have to do with factors that can influence the project outcome but are not under the direct control of the project team. On-time delivery from external suppliers, timely availability of project personnel with adequate skills, infrastructure services, sufficient funding, etc. -- all of these (and more) can influence project performance and delivery. In addition, they are often never discussed, understood, documented, or managed.

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Principles of Planning: Playing the Right CARDWed Feb 13 08:30:57 CDT 2008