Dealing with Uncertainty
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[edit] Problem
In every project, whether it is an artistic creation or a plan for company reorganization, uncertainty is inevitable. It is the challenging and questioning of every decision we make along our way: from the underlying Focus of our project, to our work on the initial outline for our goals, to the Tools and materials we set out to use, to how well our Product will be received and judged in the end.
When uncertainties are ignored, we often miss important considerations of problems that might soon arise. But when we fail to keep our unrealistic concerns in check, we can easily be conquered by the frustration and second-guessing that our uncertainties provoke.
[edit] Context
[edit] Discussion
Instead of rejecting the feeling of uncertainty as nothing but a problem in the various stages of working on a project, or a shortcoming of a project manager, carefully explore the reasons for uncertainty, and the best ways of dealing with it.
Often we encounter uncertainty when first beginning a project. We second-guess the plan we have laid out to reach our goals, we question whether it is even feasible to attempt to reach such a goal, and, surprisingly often, we doubt the worth of the goal itself. And we wonder if we should really begin at all. These are the dangerous circumstances of uncertainty. These concerns are unrealistic and detrimental. We cannot know the answers to these questions until we have begun, unless of course, it’s a project we’ve done before.
When uncertainties are simultaneously unproductive and inconclusive, then they become the crippling flaw that people usually assume them to be. The problems it suggests are too unknown to us to truly be considered; they remain an abstract fear that cannot be shielded against nor guide us to stronger places. These are the times when uncertainty must be set aside, lest nothing would ever be begun at all.
But when uncertainties are dismissed before they are even considered, the risk is great. We often ignore our sense of uncertainty because of the costs in time and money that it would demand to reconsider ideas we have already sorted through. But often this neglect stops us from recognizing our subconscious call for important changes that must be made, ultimately stunting the evolution of our projects. Not seriously considering a doubt that arises along the way swiftly stops us from exploring alternative paths that are available for our project to follow, and hinders our recognition for consequences that we should be anticipating, and more importantly preparing for. Our uncertainties can lead our projects to places of much greater strength than would ever be possible if we were to ignore each of our doubts along the way.
Uncertainties must be given serious consideration as projects are underway. When they present concerns that cannot be realistically answered but by means of trial and error, then those uncertainties must set aside before they hinder the progression of the PROCESS underway. But without listening to our uncertainties, we miss valuable opportunities for Replanning our designs in a way that will make them inevitably stronger in the future, and we also miss the ability recognize when the time has come to Changing Horses for the greater benefit of the ultimate outcome.
[edit] Solution
One way to plan ahead for uncertainty is to schedule the project to be finished before it actually NEEDS to be. This allows an area of cushion where time is concerned so that if something were to go awry there would still be time to deal with a delay and get the project done in time. Also, in any case you can always re-evaluate your schedule, you might wind up with serious crunch time in the end, but you do what you need to do in order to accomplish the ultimate goal of your project. The thing to remember is to learn from the experiences you've had. If you have to deal with something unexpected and it really throws you for a loop, then you know to plan for such events in the future.
Related Patterns: Attitude, Challenges, Communication, Focus, Obstructions, Rationale
