From Perfect Plans to Practical Solutions: Embracing Flexibility

Have you ever had the perfect plan, only to find it just wouldn’t work? Maybe the team refused to use the software you needed. Maybe they wouldn’t follow the process you designed. Maybe they just couldn’t work together in the way your perfect plan required.

I’ve learned the hard way that something imperfect that works is better than something perfect that won’t work.

Teams are just people. They have baggage. They have preferences. They have personalities. Thinking through an ideal plan or process is a great start, but you have to make sure it will work for the people involved.

I always like to come up with my ideal plan, so I have “ideal” in mind is a guide. But then I take into account the real-life teams and people involved. Some questions I asked include:

1. Will this plan fit with the team culture?

2. Are there deeply ingrained processes that we would need to fight to make this work?

3. Are there team dynamics or personalities that might derail this plan?

People are naturally resistant to change. Sometimes we just need a strong change management plan. But sometimes that resistance goes much deeper, and your plan will be more likely to succeed if you adapt it to the team rather than expecting the team to adapt.

In the end, the key to successful project management lies in flexibility and understanding. While it's tempting to strive for perfection, it's often the adaptable and realistic plans that yield the best results. By considering the unique dynamics and preferences of your team, you can create strategies that not only work but also foster a more collaborative and productive environment. Remember, good enough is often better than perfect when it comes to achieving real-world success.